BASINGSTOKE, UK – After over a decade of EPL hockey in the UK, Michael Wales is set for a new adventure and will be taking his hockey kit with him.
When Basingstoke Bison announced the departure of Michael Wales recently, fans speculated on his next step in hockey.
Could it be a move back to Milton Keynes? A return to Invicta? Or maybe an early retirement?
In fact none of the speculation was correct as he is heading to Dubai, home of luxurious living and of course the Emirates Hockey League.
The first question to ask any Brit heading out to the searing heat of the desert however, is of course, how are you in the baking sun?
“I normally tan ok but knowing that it can get up to 50 degrees out there I may have to try and build up a tan before I go” said the 32 year old forward.
“There’s no doubt I’ll burn at some point but at least it won’t be raining”
The good weather is of course appealing to anyone who has to put up with the climate in the UK, however it is of course not the only reason he is upping sticks.
“I have been offered a job by HMS Homes in Dubai” explained Wales.
“They are an independent real estate company and I will be part of their sales/leasing team”
“Hockey wise I am already in talks with both teams in Dubai. It was important to me that I can continue playing, I’m not ready to retire from the game and I am really looking forward to playing in a different country”
“The league is still developing along with ice hockey in the UAE. If I can be a part of that and help with its development it would be amazing”
If he does secure a team out in the Middle East he may well find himself on the end of Olympic Official Joy Johnston’s guns again. The British referee went out there last summer to take up a position in the league and is no stranger to disciplining the feisty Kent native over the years from her time in the EPL.
“To be fair Joy has always been pretty honest with me” laughed Wales.
“If I over stepped the mark she normally gave me a warning but it didn’t mean she wasn’t scared to kick me out of games. She has certainly done that a few times over the years but hopefully she has forgotten all about that by now”
Aside from Johnston, there are other familiar British faces in the league including former Romford and Solihull defenseman Mark Williams and former Telford and MK forward Tom Carlon.
This is useful not only for hockey reasons but also because Wales has yet to visit the country in person.
“This may sound crazy but it’s all happened so quick that there’s been no time for me to go out and visit” he admitted.
“I have been speaking to the boys for a few months now and they have been amazing in helping me with advice and information”
“I think it will help massively having friends out there already and hockey players are the same wherever you go so I’m looking forward to meeting my new team mates”
“Mark and I have been friends for many years but we never got round to dropping the gloves. I’m not sure the EHL is the place for fighting but you never know, so if it does come to it Willy, I’m coming to take the belt from you”
In the aftermath of his announced departure from the Bison, the rumours of his next move once again threw up the possible link up with his home town team in Invicta.
“I think I have spoken to Kev (Parrish) every summer for the last 10 years” said Wales.
“We know each other very well and we always talked of a return to where it all began for me. Unfortunately with me living in Milton Keynes and Invicta not moving up to the EPL it has never quite worked out”
“I would never rule out me returning there one day in one way or another, I still want to be involved in British Hockey so who knows what the future holds”
And so to the final question and that is of course, what will he miss about the UK?
“I think we all take the everyday things for granted sometimes, I will miss seeing my friends and family and being able to pop to the pub to talk or just as an excuse to have a beer with my mates”
“I’ve heard that there is every restaurant from all over the world in Dubai so food shouldn’t be an issue. I know I will miss hockey and all the boys but I guess only time will tell how much”
With a Tim Hortons, Nandos and the Golden Arches on standby in cases of emergency, Wales will be safe in the Emirates for sure.
Photos thanks to 5 Hole Photography.. more EPL pics can be seen HERE
Contact the author david.carr@prohockeynews.com
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