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Hornets flies in for game

Mike Floyd
15/ 8/2002

ROCHDALE Hornets were visited by a Hornet, who had flown all the way across the Atlantic Ocean to watch the game against Workington Town at Spotland on Sunday.

Canadian youngster, Daniel Birch,12, travelled from Hamilton, Ontario with his father Steve to be a mascot at the match. Steve, a former pupil of Balderstone School, Queen Victoria, left his Kirkholt home 14 years ago to emigrate to Canada, but he has always kept in touch with his favourite team Rochdale Hornets.

"I am in Rochdale to visit my mother who still lives here," said Paul. "And I have always followed Hornets, so I thought it would be a good idea if Daniel could be a mascot at today's game. I contacted Hornets' chief executive Steve Walmsley and he sorted it out for me."

Steve was sporting a trendy baseball cap emblazoned with the logo 'Hamilton Hornets'. He explained. "Back home David plays for a rugby team in Hamilton.

"Fortunately, they too are called the Hornets, so I can wear my cap to watch both teams."

HORNETS retained the international flavour on Sunday as former chairman Teddy Stockley's daughter Susan Palmer jetted in from South Africa to watch the game.

Susan, who lives in Uitehage near Port Elizabeth, was joined by her sister Lois Bibbington from Milnrow and nephew Peter Williams, who organised the visit to Spotland. Susan has many fond memories of her late father's involvement in the club and these flooded back as she met Ray Taylor, who was invited onto the board by Mr Stockley.

"It's great to be back," she said. "The club was my dad's life and he was chairman twice, as well as vice-chairman. When we were children we grew up around Hornets."

Susan also remembers being called into action at the Athletic Grounds. "I used to stand in the box at the old ground and sell half-time specials," she continued.

Lois remembers her father having to pay the players' wages from his own pocket and he always bought his grandsons season tickets for Christmas. "We are proud of our father's contribution to the club," said Lois. "My dad was born in Wigan so he was rugby through and through. When he came to Rochdale as chief engineer at Standard Mill we came with him."

And Teddy's fame has spread to the Southern Hemisphere. "I was talking to a man who lives in the same town as me," said Susan. "He turned out to be a former St Helens' player called Len Killeen, and he knew my father. It's a small world."

Susan was presented with a signed rugby ball before the match by Hornets' chairman Ray Taylor.