Western hoping for Golden moments in Surbiton

The well-travelled Jamie Golden looks set to be a key figure for Western Wildcats on EHL KO16 weekend as he returns to one of his former Surbiton stomping grounds.

Despite being just 22, it will already be his third EHL campaign having had a tough debut with Groze Menzieshill before storming to bronze with Surbiton in 2022.

He returns to Scotland this year for his studies having spent last season with another KO16 side, Hamburger Polo Club, helping the Wildcats get off to a flying start with three wins from three with no goals conceded.

“I’ve settled in really well and everyone’s now locked in and looking forward to the EHL,” he told the EHL website. “They have been really successful in Scotland in all competitions and were really keen to have me come and play so it was a great option for me.”

The transition was aided by the presence of fellow Scotland internationals AJ Lochrin, Andrew McAllister, Fraser Moran and another new arrival, Tommy Austin from Kelburne.

Reflecing on his wandering ways, he says it was something his father encouraged him to do having broken through with the Grove Menzieshill youth setup in Dundee.

“My dad was just like ‘I think you need to do it’ once I finished school. The standard of hockey and little bit more money and funding is available.

“I wanted to see what opportunities came, what I could do and where I could get to with my game and it ended up being pretty successful.

“Dad said you can always come back and do your studies later on. I’m glad I took the advice, got the experience, met lots of cool people and done a lot of cool things.

“I had a great time in Germany and maybe now it’s time to come back and get my head down!”

With Menzieshill, he got his first taste of the EHL, a particularly rough one where they faced AH&BC Amsterdam in the KO16 and then SV Kampong in a ranking match.

“I was still pretty young at that point but it did make me realise I want to do something and see where I can take it, playing against those teams and just realising the standard that’s out there. As soon as I played against Amsterdam, I knew it was what I wanted to do.”

Those games did coincide with some iconic moments in the stand, DJ Marij’s Scottish medley leading to a 10-minute Simple Minds salvo from the large travelling support in Eindhovenn.

“Obviously, the games were going to be very hard but the lads were like ‘if it’s one thing that we could do well, it is support’ and they absolutely nailed it. Seeing the boys on the side, being part of it all was just an experience I’ll never forget.”

After he finished school, London called for a two-year spell.

“On to Surbiton and it was obviously a big difference, working hard and getting the EHL bronze which I think was a fair reward. We did the right things and everything went our way.

“It definitely felt like home; I know I was only there for two years but the way the guys brought me in and looked after me, I just couldn’t ask for anything more. I am excited to go down again and get to see everyone.”

They could be a potential second opponent but, first, they have a KO16 date with Wimbledon on Saturday, October 5 to take on.

“With Surbiton, meeting Wimbledon was always a pretty big game. It was always close. For us [at Western], we’re pretty excited to get going and I think it’s going to be a very competitive game.

“It will come down to who wants it more on the day. Right now, we’re pretty informed about how they play and we’ve played three league games and not conceded a goal yet.

“We’re in the best possible shape we could be for this game.”

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