DURHAM, UK – Solihull Barons have endured a tough start to the 2011/12 campaign as the English National League North (Division 1) newcomers are currently bottom of the standings with only 2 wins from their opening 13 games of the season.
Prohockeynews recently got the opportunity to speak to Barons young forward Dale Buckland on how he and Solihull were enjoying life in the top ENL division.
“ENL North 1 is the league we’ve been fighting to get in for the past few seasons now and it is good to finally get in the league and it’s the level we all want to be playing at. I think the differences are that in North 1 every team comes to play every game. If you aren’t switched on from the first face-off, you’ll be in trouble for 60 minutes. Last season in North 2 we would of had a poor game and still got the 2 points.
“Making the play-offs would be good. But we’ve all said from the start of the season that surviving would be our main concern, anything thing else would be a plus.”
Dale in action
Dale went on to give his opinion of his role in the current Barons side.
“I’m a grinder/agitator, I like to mix it up. It’s the role I’ve always played. I try and bring momentum to our team and create opportunities for our top lines. I don’t think (my role) has changed to be honest, if anything it’s probably got more important. Drawing penalties, taking key opposing players out of the game. Powerplays can win games.
“(I aim to) just improve as a player really. I’ve still got areas of my own game that I can work on. I’ll work on these and then who knows.I aim to work hard every shift really and hope every action I do will benefit the team.”
Dale gave us his take on the teams, facilities and players that had impressed him during Solihull’s first few months in ENL North 1.
“I think Billingham will win the league. To do what they’ve done in the first third of the season is amazing. As for the rest of the positions I literally have no idea. Any team could take 2 points on the night.
“Every player brings something different, but every team has that go-to-guy. I think Telford and Nottingham have got some of the best young players in the league. Our own Andy Whitehouse and Ryan James have been a great product of the Solihull junior system and they are a real talent.
Dale takes to the ice for Solihull
“I haven’t been to Whitley in years and we haven’t been there so far yet but I’ve been told it has improved. Blackburn is nice, it’s just too cold! I like Trafford’s rink the most. They are all better than the North 2 rinks, especially Bradford.”
Despite the Barons struggles during the early weeks of the season Solihull have still been able to attract extremely good crowds.
“The numbers have been good for the home games. I think we took a fair amount to Coventry and Nottingham as well so it’s great that they are travelling for us as well! Our fans have been great again this season. Even though the results haven’t been going our way, they keep the faith and cheer us on week in week out and we are really grateful for that.”
Many hockey fans will remember Solihull playing in the old Heineken Premier League back in the 80 and 90s. Dale went onto speak of how one of his teammates was around when the Barons were taking on the likes of the Durham Wasps, Murrayfield Racers and Nottingham Panthers in Britain’s top league.
Dale drops the gloves against Coventry
“I’m sure Phil Lee played in that league. He’s been around so long though I bet his hockey CV is unreal. He is a good role model for all the lads because his experience is off the chart. Leeps (Lee) is still skating strong and doesn’t seem to be hanging them up any time soon. That’s good news for us and bad news for everyone else.”
Just before the interview concluded Dale went onto to speak of how he got into hockey and why he plays in the #71 shirt.
“I think I went to my first hockey game when I was about 14. But I started hockey relatively late I was 16/17. I’ve enjoyed every part of playing since then.
“I wore #17 when I played juniors at Coventry and when I came to Solihull Rich Slater already had it. After many conversations with him about letting me have it, I realised how stubborn he was and he wasn’t going to give it up. So I just swapped them round. That’s basically it!”
Prohockeynews would like to thank Dale for taking the time out to speak to us and we wish him and the Barons all the best for the remainder of the current campaign.
Photos courtesy of Dale Buckland himself. Contact the author – chris.mackenzie@prohockeynews.com
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