Son pays tribute to the inspiring legacy left by Chesterfield Hockey Club stalwart Bob Battye

Bob Battye passed away on 9th May after suffering a heart-attack whilst out cycling.

It followed a life-time of dedication to the Newbold Road Club as player, manager and committee member.

And the influence he had on the club and sons Fraser and Christian is one that will never be forgotten.

“We are a hockey family and we all sat watching the 1988 Olympic final when GB won,” said Christian, who is now a coach at the club following retirement last season.

“Then every Sunday my dad would take my brother to junior hockey training and I was keen to see where they were going.

“It was massive what he did in getting me into the sport. You take bits from your parents and me and my brother were inspired to play by my dad.

“On the pitch we both had similar elements on how my dad played the game, which was to be really competitive, but afterwards it was important to sit down with the opposition and have a beer.

“The sport was about making connections for my dad, we have had messages from all over the hockey community, including Australia. It shows how much of an impact he had and it has given us a lot of comfort.

“Through just talking to people it is clear how much he was willing to help others in their journey through the sport.”

Bob joined Chesterfield Hockey Club from Loughborough Colleges after graduating and rapidly established himself in the first team, along with the county first team.

Talented Bob went on to captain both sides and also played representative hockey for the Midlands.

He was also a former PE teacher at Parkside Community School and Tapton House School in Chesterfield - a position which Christian believes helped to shape his coaching skills

“He was really useful to people. He knew when people needed to be pushed, challenged and supported,” added Christian.

“He knew how to give tough love and he got respect because of how he helped people.

“He was a very intelligent and very good man manager and I have taken a massive influence in my own coaching from that side of it.”

A spokesman for Chesterfield Hockey Club said Bob had had a massive influence on the club’s success.

“Bob did so much for our club and county over the years,” he said.

“He helped the club firstly to strengthen and grow, with fixtures against some of the best that Yorkshire and the North Midlands had to offer, and then to consolidate the first team’s position in the second highest league in the Midlands with the introduction of League Hockey.

“Bob was a major contributor to the club also in other ways, through his positions on the club’s general and selection committees for many years.

“He also gave his support for mini-hockey. There is so much more we could say about Bob and so many of our members, past and present, will have been touched by his influence and always in a positive manner.

“We offer our most sincere condolences to Josie, his partner, to sons Fraser and Christian and their families.”

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