Farewell To The Howarths

 

A farewell game for Phil Howarth and his family, Jan, Jake and Jessica, took place at Poynton Sports Club on Saturday 21st July. The Howarth’s are “emigrating” to a little place in the USA called “New England”, how apt.

Phil has been a member of our club for over 20 years, since joining from Wilmslow in the early 1990’s, and very quickly made his presence felt both on and off the field and was selected for the England squad to represent our game at the 1994 World Championships held at Bury. A year or two later Phil had this itching desire to coach and manage the England team and was appointed to lead, along with Chris Dale, his England team at the European championships held in Sweden in 1997. I was in a position to observe the way they both went about this very difficult task from close quarters and there is no doubt in my mind that I have never seen before, or since, such an excellent management team carry out their work with such professionalism and detail, the best in the business in my book. I mention this, not to flatter Mr Howarth, but to let everybody know the calibre of knowledge and experience we will be missing in the future of our club as he begins a new chapter in his life in the US. I have no doubt that he will, when he gets his feet under the table, organising and managing lacrosse in his new home town so there must be some scope for exchange team visits.

Very predictably Jake had a lacrosse stick in his hand just as he left the maternity hospital, indeed I do recall being at the World Championships, held in Baltimore in 1998, and witnessed a very young Jake catching and throwing with some aplomb and I knew then that we had a chip off the old block. Jake is a very promising player, with a very good and keen eye for scoring goals, and I know that he will be playing US college lacrosse in the next year or two.

Phil and Jake, I know, would not be able to do what they do without support from both Jan and Jessica, what a pity we do not have a girls/ladies team at Poynton yet. Jan is invariably on the touch line giving her support to the men in her life, Jessica has also made her contribution to our club and, take it from me, makes the best bacon sandwich ever.

The farewell game was attended by a host of players, past and present, as well as many supporters who could not play, mainly due to arthritis and lack of talent, but none with rigor mortis. They came to say a fond farewell to a family who have made a magnificent contribution to our club over many, many years. Phil, Jan, Jake, Jessica, we thank you and wish you well in your new adventure.

With every good wish, may you all be successful in all you endeavours and above all else be happy.

Please keep in touch as I am sure you will.

From ALL your friends at Poynton Lacrosse Club, yours and our spiritual home.

Graham Edmunds
Chairman

PICTURE GALLERY : Click to see some pictures from the farewell game ...