Margaret Jones

Honorary life member of Marlow Hockey club, Margaret Jones, was a club player, county player, team captain, county selector and loyal supporter.

She Captained the ladies' team through most of the 1950s up to 1961 and during that time Marlow provided most of the Bucks County 1st XI.

Some of us at Marlow remember her as county selector in the 80s. She was always very supportive and encouraged everyone -made you feel proud to play for the county. But most Marlow players will remember her for her support on the side line in all weathers. She would watch all teams, not just the first X1, and her analysis of the game was always worth listening to because she was usually right. Years of playing made her an excellent observer of the game.

I remember games when the team had quite a few young children in tow, and Margaret became childminder on the sideline. She never complained even when it prevented her from watching the game. And some of the children were not the best behaved..But how pleasing for her to see, a few years later, those same youngsters as they came through the junior coaching program , and develop into good club players.

Margaret was also a regular attender at our AGMs - passing on information from County where she also had a very active role, and donated to club funds. In 1997 the club awarded her the Stella Hatcher Shield for outstanding services to the club, an award she could have won ten times over.

We are all very sorry that such a wonderful supporter of our club is no longer with us but she won't be forgotten. She is mentioned several times in our book -One hundred years of Marlow Hockey Club and with her excellent memory she was a great help in providing material for the earlier years.

I'm sure many of us will still feel her presence on the side line, watching us for many years to come.

Margot