Insight: Brooklands preparing for two key top flight fixtures

Brooklands are preparing for two crucial weekends in the Men’s Premier Division, reports Rod Gilmour of The Hockey Paper 

The travails of a typical Brooklands Manchester University season will be laid bare over the next two weekends, a fortnight in which they hope to make hay against two university sides in the Men’s Premier Division. 

Brooklands first take on University of Nottingham on Sunday before making the 460-mile round trip to University of Exeter. This all follows their opening day defeat on the road at newly-promoted Reading last weekend. 

“It was frustrating, everyone was down on the bus on the way back,” said coach Aidan Khares. “We didn’t play near to how we wanted to. But it’s a good time to learn, with two really important games coming up against Nottingham and Exeter.” 

Brooklands are into their eighth straight season in the men’s top flight. After securing fifth place in 2016, they have since finished in the lower half of the division. But a place in the top six for 2022/23 come December is still up for grabs, according to Khares. 

“There looks to be a clear top five, then seven teams who are all close who would like to think they can all pick up points against each other,” he said. “If we can take points and be competitive for as long as possible against the top five then we can sneak points as well, but that will be quite challenging.” 

The club has lost a few players to university this season, while Stefan Ray-Hills has rejoined after several seasons with Alderley Edge, as well as picking up squad members who have moved to the region.  

Khares said: “We don’t really have the financial backing or the money to be able to pay players. We don’t have that recruitment drive other clubs have. We rely on luck and players moving to the North West. 

“One of the advantages of being on the road is that we spend so much time together and become good friends. 

“There are certain games going away where a heavy defeat leaves you questioning yourself after such a long journey. But the games where you get a result? That makes it all worthwhile.” 

The squad play golf together and the close friendships have formed a tight squad in recent seasons. Khares added: “We don’t have to force it too much in terms of team bonding.” 

Khares, head of hockey at Manchester Grammar School (MGS), was made assistant coach during Covid before last season saw him become player-coach for the first time. 

Having been at the club for 12 years overall, Khares knows the ins and outs of the most northerly side in the Premier Division and what it takes to survive in the top flight. Since moving up as coach, Khares has been bolstered on the team administration side by David Moss, who also used to work at MGS. 

“One of the things I wanted to do was to make us a little bit stronger administratively given we are a little bit disadvantaged by geography to start with,” said Moss, who is also a vice president at Lancashire Cricket Club. 

“Prior to me there was a little period where there was a perception that Brooklands wasn’t quite as hospitable as other clubs. My aim over time is to make it a nice experience given that clubs have a long way to come. 

“There is a good club spirit upon which we depend, but we know we aren’t competitive with the really top teams. Last season, the matches between the bottom five were really competitive, we got on a roll and it was an enjoyable time.” 

On the logistical side, Moss’ preference is to travel by coach down and up in the day, rather than the expenditure incurred by overnight stays in the south. Trips to Holcombe and Exeter challenge the club the most. Coupled to this, the cost of hiring coaches as well as drivers have both increased dramatically, says Moss, which has put some financial pressure on the club committee. 

Meanwhile, Moss says Brooklands are aiming to make more of their Sunday fixture times this season. With Brooklands men’s 2s being promoted to the Conference North, the club is set for its own ‘Super Sunday’ effect by hosting back-t0-back matches with the 2s, followed by the 1s. “The idea is we get a great afternoon of hockey,” added Moss. Not bad for a £5 entry fee. 

In the medium term, Moss also wants to make Sunday afternoons more attractive for supporters. The hockey set-up is also part of a health club at Brooklands Sports Club, which has been taken over by new owners where the club also has a profit share. 

And for Ray-Hills? He has simply relished his return to the squad. “The fundamentals that are real strengths for Brooklands have remained,” he says. “The players, old and new, are here for the same reason, to be successful for the team and the club. Having the 2s in the National league creates real competition for places across the performance squad. 

“The next game is always the most important. We are focused on what we need to do on Sunday against Nottingham, then we can think about the weekend after at Exeter. 

"We spend a lot of time together which helps us get through the highs and lows together.” 

Brooklands MU vs University of Nottingham
2pm Sunday 2 October