A London life of ice

LONDON, UK – When a young Dave Richards first laced up a pair of skates and hit the ice of the famous Harringay Arena in the mid 1940’s, it is doubtful whether he anticipated his involvement in London ice hockey would stretch over 63 years.
It’s a freezing cold November evening in 2010. A small crowd has gathered at the thoroughly modern, pleasant and some might say relatively soulless Lee Valley Ice Centre, to watch the resident Lions take on Wightlink. Harringay Arena is long since gone, and most of those present will probably not know of its prior existence never mind the famous teams that played there in the thirties and forties.

One definite exception is an immaculately dressed pensioner in his game day suit. With his white hair and glasses he is a familiar figure to many in the London hockey community, and a symbol of longevity in a city where people seldom stick around for long. He knows full well the history of hockey in North London and has a memorabilia collection to envy the best in this country.
Dave Richards Senior, as he is now known due to his son of the same name, stands behind the Lions bench at the grand old age of 75, making him the oldest league hockey coach currently in UK hockey. By the time most people reach the age of 75, the last thing they want to do is stand in a freezing cold rink for hours at a time, or is it?
“I have always loved hockey” admitted Richards Snr, who first started playing hockey in 1947. “I have always been interested in youth development and that has never changed. Obviously having my son playing gives me a personal interest, but I just enjoy the challenge and I find it very gratifying”
That personal interest manifests itself in the form of a controversial character who often manages to wind up even the most placid opposition players with his cockney chimes. Dave Richards Junior has toned down that side of his game so far this year and is currently enjoying a personal best season on the blue line for the Lions, with one goal and twelve assists in thirteen games.
“It is fair to say he doesn’t play with a style I expected” laughed Richards Snr. “He has his own way of playing and he is good at it. All I ever wanted was for him to play at a good level and give 100% every game, which is what he does. When it comes to results he cuts the mustard and I think he is good value to watch”

Prior to his latest involvement with the Lions, Richards Snr has been involved with coaching youngsters at the Sobell Centre, the juniors at Lee Valley and more recently as part of the staff of the now defunct London Racers. The Racers competed at the highest level in the UK as part of the Elite League from 2003-2005.
“Those two years involved with Roger Black (team owner) and the Racers were my happiest in hockey” maintained Richards. “The NHL lockout meant that the standard and professionalism of the players was of such a high standard, and it was a pleasure to be around the team”
“Once you have worked with players at that end of the spectrum it can be difficult to adapt to the frustrations of hockey in ENL 2 but I still enjoy it and we have a great bunch of lads at Lee Valley”

“I am surprised that there is no top level hockey in the capital but people have tried and it just hasn’t worked for one reason or another. The Knights and the Racers both had potential and now we have nothing. It’s a great shame”
Richards Snr scored the last ever Haringey Racers goal at the grand age of 68 as the team folded mid season, with a final league fixture in Peterborough (the teams agreed to treat the game as an exhibition match). It was a sad but equally proud moment for a man who still laces up the skates on Lions training sessions to this day.
“Yeah that was a good moment but I have to say, hockey has changed a lot since the old days” said Richards Snr, who shares coaching duties with Blair Dubyk at the Lions. “The players had less teeth back then and the equipment was poor. These days the players are much better protected and the speed of the games are quicker”
“Shooting was more accurate and stick handling was an art practiced not just by a few but by many. Back in the day guys used to just play but nowadays they have a role to play. Things are more organised now, but I have to say I miss the lovely figure skaters that used to come out between periods”
“There is still no better sport than hockey though, and I will carry on my involvement as long as I physically can”
The crowd has dispersed away from Lee Valley arena with the majority happy with a home win for the Lions. Richards Snr sits outside the locker room and looks visibly tired.
“The guys played well tonight” he says smiling. “Things are coming along nicely here and the team spirit here is good. For all the frustrations a win is always pleasing”
With that, he gets up and heads back to locker room, looking a little pale and weary. Hours later he would be admitted to hospital following a minor heart attack, where he still resides. Despite feeling rough, he had put on his suit and battled through the pain barrier to be on that bench for the Lions that night. That is the spirit that hockey has given him.
“I am an optimist” Richards had previously said prior to this interview. “Moderation is the key to my life along with variety. Hockey is part of that variety”
All of us here at Pro hockey news and also no doubt across the leagues in UK hockey wish Dave all the best and hope that he recovers very soon, and is back on the ice where he belongs.
Contact the author david.carr@prohockeynews.com