The last Drum' boy standing

Wow, what an achievement; and whilst he won't actually be playing this Saturday (due to a recent hand injury), Hillhead 3's Senior Development Squad captain, 21 year old Jonathan Duke (pictured), will be on the sideline at Glasgow Green urging on his team of mostly late teens, to hopeful victory in the Scottish Reserve Cup Final against the mighty Grange 3's.

It really is a crowning glory for young Drumchapel boy, "Johnny" Duke, who started his own hockey journey at Hillhead as a 14 year old, alongside a group of his friends, all from Drumchapel, under the ever-watchful eye of long time Hillhead man, the legendary Alan Meikle.  At the time (2009), the group of about 10 youngsters were sprinkled between the 6's and 7's to get their hockey up and running.  Complete rookies all of them, it was an introduction to a non-mainstream sport within a club full of personnel from many different backgrounds and sporting abilities.  And in Hillhead's case a super-friendly atmosphere.  Well, cut a long story short, unfortunately most of the group didn't take to the game and gradually fell away - and indeed, within about three years there was only two left.  And then there was one - say hello to Jonathan Duke.

Hey listen, Johnny, like the vast majority of us, is never going to hit the dizzy heights of hockey superstardom.  He was always "the quiet one"; and with the rest of his friends leaving the club, it would have been so easy for him just to call it a day himself and no hard feelings.  But the boy stuck it out, worked hard at his game and just kept turning out every Saturday, making many friends along the way (he's very popular).

And his hockey career saw him starting as a midfielder in the 7's all those years ago and progressing team by team to the 3's where he's become a seasoned defender in the last three years.  Johnny took on the captaincy of the Hillhead Men's 3's team two seasons ago at a time of change and certainly a bit of natural unrest - as in, time for older players to drop down etc.  But through the change - and it's never easy when team personnel changes take place - there was never any bad feeling towards Jonathan "Johnny" Duke.  A relatively new member of the 3's himself, Johnny was part of that change - he'd earned his right to be there.

 

THIS SEASON 2016-2017 has seen huge changes.  Johnny Duke is now captain of a completely new squad of mostly boys/young adults in their late teens.  Alan Meikle - not long dropped down from first team hockey in National 1 - has helped guide this highly talented team of youngsters through their recent, highly successful season in Regional Division 2, where they finished in the excellent 5th spot.

 

And now this Saturday at 10am at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre, the Hillhead 3's Senior Development team will face Grange 3's in the final of the Scottish Reserve Cup.  It's going to be one mighty tough game, but the lads can do it.  And it's a case of third time lucky for Hillhead 3's - since 2011 past Hillhead 3's sides have unfortunately lost twice in the same final.

 

Glasgow University geography student, Hillhead's Jonathan Duke, has the whole of Hillhead behind him, so proud of our lad and how far he's come, regardless of this Saturday's result.

 

However, with that said, can you imagine what it will be like if Johnny Duke lifts that cup...

 

Lets have a sea of yellow and black at Glasgow Green this Saturday - 10:00 - and lets find out!

 

[Andy Lovat 04:15hrs, 27/04/17]