Tuesday 31st January marked the last day Keith Martin was Chair of the Holcombe Sports Club having taken the decision to step down.
The club is deeply indebted to Keith for his care in this role managing the club’s major assets, which he has undertaken for many years with energy and passion. As well as his organisational skills and vision, it is not unusual, especially over the summer months, to see him pitching in with the refurbishment activity, including most recently the re-fit of the clubhouse and kitchen in the summer of 2022 and generally tidying up around the place – he takes great pride in Holcombe Park.
His sound business acumen and eye for detail mean he has not only invested significant time on the club finances, but he leaves them in a sound state. He has played a significant role in a number of initiatives that have left Holcombe Park as the first-class venue it is today. These include but are not limited to the re-laying of the pitches and erection of the floodlights on both pitches, the clubhouse refurbishments, the installation of internet and a camera system among much more.
As he will be the first to tell you, this doesn’t happen without a great team and Holcombe HC are very fortunate to have several long-standing club members willing to support the club with any job big or small.
This last point is key to our being able to find a successor because this role would simply be too big without that support. I am pleased to tell you that Emma Simpson-Duke has agreed to take on this role. Emma is currently Welfare Officer where she impresses with her leadership, problem solving and inter-personal skills, and she can expect the full support of the committee in trying to fill the void that Keith leaves.
First and foremost, Keith is a hockey fan and we look forward to seeing him around the place in his ongoing role as 1st Team Manager and avid supporter.
Brian Field
Men’s Chair – Holcombe HC