Photo Guildford Phoenix/John Uwins
GUILDFORD, UK – If British hockey fans thought that the national team’s heroics in pool A of the world championships would be the only headlines the sport would make this year, they would be proven wrong in some style this week.
When the sport in the UK usually trends on Twitter or attracts tabloid attention it’s either due to a massive brawl with viral footage or a player getting locked up in prison for some off-ice crime.
So for once it was good to see a positive story doing the rounds on Wednesday evening thanks to former Chelsea and Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech being announced as signing for Guildford Phoenix in NIHL 2.
The legendary football goalie noted for his famous head-guard, has switched from the salubrious surroundings of the Premier League to some interesting ice rinks of southern England and Wales for the 2019/20 season.
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to play with the Phoenix to get the match experience” said Cech in the club statement.
“I hope I can help this young team to achieve their goals for the season and win as many games as possible. After 20 years of professional football this is going to be a wonderful opportunity for me to play the game I loved to watch and play as a kid.”
Player Coach Andy Hemmings, a former Guildford Flame who stepped down to help the Phoenix nurture the new talent coming through the Surrey club said:
“It’s a massive signing and he (Cech) is a great guy who trains hard and I cannot wait to see him make his debut.”
Cech has been training in Guildford for a number of months and will make his debut shortly. The footballing hero will have to contend not only with flying rubber but also some facilities in the bottom tier of UK hockey he possibly never imagined. Let’s hope he has some thick soled flip flops and doesn’t mind the odd cold shower!
Contact the author davidcarr_2@hotmail.com
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