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c
able to land a player of ghazanfar’s
aSh
calibre.
“We got promoted to the North
Premiers only two seasons back and
fi nished eighth in our fi rst outing
there, last season. We’ve now got the
momentum to move forward and make
it to the national league as soon as we
can. It needed an attractive fi nancial
package to lure ghazanfar. Some of
us were concerned that we might be
putting all our eggs in one basket but
the gamble is paying off.”
But what if the money runs out?
and how can any success be sustained
when it is bought in? Linton sees the
‘purchase’ of ali as part of his plan to
foster a successful youth programme.
“Our youth programme has always
been sound,” said Linton “but we
have risked losing many promising
youngsters coming through the ranks.
especially as those who aspired to
international colours didn’t stay with a
non-national league club like us and
mostly moved to the National League
clubs – especially the Manchester based
Bowden and Brooklands. In this regard,
it is pertinent to mention that the
current england goalkeeper James Fair
was a product of our youth programme.
“Hence it was very important
from that aspect that the club gets
promoted to the National League so
that this exodus could stop. ghazanfar’s
Ghazanfar ali in action for pakistan
presence has further raised the spirits
of the club’s youngsters. He is an iconic
fi gure for them: a former Olympian and
Deeside also inspired ali: “Whenever to manage and replace them through captain of a country which has lifted the
I saw the Deeside Ramblers playing I our own resources. The club has a World Cup more than any other nation,
thought that the club had the potential strict anti-borrowing policy. The basic now playing for their club and moreover
to be in the national league and just membership and match fees mainly coaching them.”
needed an extra punch. I have always go to a sinking money fund which is Despite the downfall in the
loved similar challenges and my track meant for the periodical astroturf international fortunes of Pakistan and
record is not bad. I have also always replacement.” India the charisma of sub-continent
loved teaching young people the skills I hockey still exists.
have learnt as a player so I will be using The club’s youth policy is paying
my Level Two coaching knowledge to dividends. Back in april, Cheshire Under
help the club – I am here in the role of 15 boys hockey team were crowned
player/assistant coach.”
‘Some of us were
county champions. The squad was
So who are the Ramblers and should
concerned that we
drawn from a range of schools and
the likes of Reading and Cannock be
might be putting
clubs across the county, but notably had
worried? The Deeside Ramblers is as many as eight Ramblers in the 18-
one of the few clubs in the country
all our eggs in one
strong squad. In May, a Deeside under
devoted solely to hockey and has its
basket but the gamble
15 side fi nished third in the national
own artifi cial turf pitch. Presently the fi nals of the ae Cup with four under 13
club has seven men’s and three ladies’
is paying off’
players, more than any other team. and
teams as well as the Badgers and david Linton currently they have three of their players
Beavers (under 12) sides. In fact, until in the england under 16s.
now it is only the ladies’ side which These days one of the most popular
has had the honour of appearing in the sports story is the fairy tale success of
premier league at any time. It was only “The fi rst team has Cheshire Lamont, the german soccer club Hoffenheim,
two seasons ago that the men’s team the estate agents and the property from a village of just 3,000 inhabitants
graduated to the North Premiers from advisors, as their sponsors. We don’t in south-west germany. at the time of
the North West. have any other signifi cant sponsors. writing they were leading the german
So where does the money come Other funds come mainly via individual Bundesliga. and as recently as 2000
from? The club’s popular and affable donations from members. and it was they were in the fi fth division. They have
vice chairman David Linton told us: “The through the funds from patrons and benefi ted from a massive investment
a
ge 31
club owns all its assets. So we have senior members that the club has been by their former player and currently P

puSh
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