Laurie Alcock Award

Laurie Alcock

For many years Laurie Alcock was a tireless volunteer for both Midlands, Staffordshire, and England Hockey, carrying out many roles to allow us to enjoy the sport we all love. To mark his achievements, Midlands Hockey present annual awards carrying his name to deserving recipients in clubs, counties, and the Midlands area.

Bill Holdforth Recognised by Midlands Hockey

William (Bill) Holdforth has given outstanding and dedicated service to Midlands Hockey over nearly five decades, making a lasting contribution as an umpire, coach, assessor, administrator, and mentor. 

Bill’s involvement in hockey began as a schoolboy at Brinkburn Grammar School in Hartlepool, where his talent saw him selected for the Durham County junior team. He continued to play at university and, in 1976, began umpiring school hockey matches while working as a teacher. Alongside playing club hockey for GEC Coventry, he started umpiring club matches, including his first neutral appointment at Corby Hockey Club—memorable for being played on a mud pitch rather than a grass surface. 

For over 40 years, Bill was a committed member of the Birmingham Counties Hockey Umpiring Association (BCHUA). He worked closely with the late Pat Merry in delivering umpiring courses for local clubs and later took responsibility for running the former Level 1 courses. Recognising the importance of continual development, he introduced refresher sessions for club umpires, helping to raise standards across the region. 

Bill served with distinction as President of BCHUA between 1999 and 2002 during a period of significant change, helping to foster improved dialogue between the men’s and women’s games. During this time, he encouraged thoughtful discussion on umpiring matters, and worked with a dedicated committee to modernise the association’s structure and constitution. In addition, Bill served as the editor of The Bugle (the association’s newsletter) from 1994-2000 and as Chief Coach for two spells, 2005-2014 and 2018-2020, after which BCHUA responsibilities were transferred to Midlands Hockey Officiating. 

After qualifying as a Level 2 Midlands umpire in the 1980’s, Bill continued to support umpire development within BCHUA and later as part of the Midlands Region Hockey Umpires Association (MRHUA). He coached and assessed umpires working towards Level 2 qualifications and officiated at the highest levels within the region, including numerous County Championships and junior divisional events. He also served as Secretary of the Coaching and Development Group, further demonstrating his commitment to nurturing future officials and was a Midlands Umpire Selector from 2000 until 2021, when responsibilities transferred to Midlands Hockey Officiating and has continued in this role to date. 

Bill umpired Midlands Hockey at the highest level well into his seventies. Despite a serious knee injury that required a knee replacement and led him to step back to Division 1 appointments, he was frequently called upon to officiate Premier Division matches when required. His excellence was recognised through being named Midlands Umpire of the Year on two occasions, the most recent in the 2023/24 season—his final season before retiring from umpiring to focus on coaching and assessing. At the end of the same season, he also received Midland Hockey Officiating’s Volunteer of the Year award for his commitment to umpire support on top of his umpiring appointments.

Bill attributes much of his own development to the guidance of senior Midlands umpires such as Bawa Singh and Charan Grewal, and it is this gratitude that has driven his lifelong commitment to supporting others. His service to Midlands Hockey has been exceptional, sustained, and deeply influential, making him a thoroughly deserving recipient of Laurie Alcock Award. 

Nominated by Rob Crosson 

Many congratulations to Bill from us all at Midlands Hockey!