Both teams together at Marc Lovell and James Parsons' testimonial game (photo by Deeside Dragons IHC)
The Deeside Dragons gave an emotional send off to long-serving players Marc Lovell and James Parsons with a special testimonial match at Deeside Leisure Centre on Saturday.
The duo retired from playing senior hockey at the end of last season, having both notched up 20-plus years in the ENL / NIHL with the Flintshire Freeze and Deeside Dragons clubs.
Two special teams were put together for the event – Team Larry (for Marc Lovell) and Team Snip (for James Parsons) and were made up from a mixture of current Dragons, former Dragons and Freeze players and other former team mates of the pair, with plenty of familiar faces for the fans to recognise.
Marc Lovell and James Parsons
(Photo by Deeside Dragons IHC)
Original Flintshire Freeze player coach Mark Stokes – now a qualified NIHL referee – also made a welcome return to Deeside to officiate at the match
As with most events of this nature, the game was played in very good spirits throughout and there were lots of goals generously shared around the two teams - and a lot of humour.
On this occasion, the taking part was really more important than the winning but, for the sake of sporting completeness, it should be recorded that Team Larry beat Team Snip by 11 goals to 10, thanks to a dramatic late winner scored by Logan Lovell with just 51 seconds left on the clock.
The goalscorers in full for Team Larry were Andy McKinney (4), Marc Lovell, Alex Parry, Charlie Spridgeon, Mark Thomas, Lucas Lovell, Alan Steele & Logan Lovell – and, for Team Snip, Matt Wainwright (2), Scott Barnett (2), Steve Elliot, Aaron Davies, Cade King, Billy Perks and Ella Parsons (2).
Talking afterwards about the Testimonial game, James Parsons said:
“Seeing so many familiar faces down at the Den last night was really special. I was absolutely blown away by how many people — family, friends, and supporters — came out to show their support. A massive thank you to Shaun Bebbington, Mikey Rowe, Mike Clancy, Matty Compton, and Ian Foster for making it all happen.”
“Getting to share the evening with the legend Larry was a fantastic experience.”
Marc Lovell added:
“It was probably one of the most enjoyable hockey games I have been a part of. It was so good to get so many players together who we have both played with and against over the years on the ice together. I was overwhelmed with the amount of supporters that turned up to support the game and to share the moment with Snipper made it that extra bit special.”
“A big thank you to all the players who played their part, the coaches who helped out on the day and Mark Stokes and Dave Clancy who refereed for us. But a massive thank you to Shaun Bebbington and the Dragons organisation for organising it all and giving us both a great send off.”
