Pakistan lined up to play England at Cannock Hockey Club |
England Hockey is delighted to announce a three match test series against Pakistan to be staged with support from Staffordshire County Council at Chase Park, the home of Cannock Hockey Club, from 30 June – 3 July 2009.
Jason Lee’s team will take on the three times Olympic champions as they continue their preparations ahead of this summer’s EuroHockey Nations Championships in Amsterdam.
The matches should certainly prove to be close encounters with Pakistan having recently leapfrogged England into sixth in world rankings as a result of their second place finish at the Asia Cup. England is ranked seventh.
Continuing, Lee says, “I am sure Pakistan will be warmly welcomed and well supported, which should make the games very special occasions. I’d like to thank Pakistan for coming and Staffordshire County Council and Cannock Hockey Club for their support in what I am sure will be an entertaining set of matches.”
England’s last competitive clash with Pakistan came in the fifth place playoff at the 2006 BDO World Cup in Mönchengladbach, Germany, when a 67th minute goal from Martin Jones proved decisive, netting England fifth place.
The Pakistan matches mark a welcome return for international hockey to Cannock and England Hockey is delighted to be able to stage these matches at Chase Park, one of the top hockey grounds in the country. The club has continued to develop its facilities with the recent installation of 400 seats, which will be on show for the Pakistan series, and their support with the test series is greatly appreciated. Cannock most recently hosted international fixtures against Germany women and Netherlands men in August 2006.
David Linford, president of Cannock Hockey Club said: “We are delighted to have been chosen to host this important international test series. Over the last few years we have invested heavily in our facilities which now include a second international standard hockey pitch which will host its first international game when England meet Pakistan for this series.”
England Hockey is also grateful for the considerable backing of Staffordshire County Council in staging these matches.
Ron Hilton, Chief Executive of Staffordshire County Council said: “We are delighted to welcome the England and Pakistan hockey teams to Staffordshire. We are proud of our county and its hockey facility. These games will provide an ideal opportunity for our local communities to enjoy international hockey on home turf once again.”
Tickets for the matches are on sale from the England Hockey website at www.englandhockey.co.uk/pakistan
Fixtures Tuesday 30 June 2009 - England (m) v Pakistan - 1900hrs - Chase Park, Cannock Thursday 2 July 2009 - England (m) v Pakistan - 1900hrs - Chase Park, Cannock Friday 3 July 2009 - England (m) v Pakistan - 1900hrs - Chase Park, Cannock
Further Information: Stephen Barlow, National Manager - Competitions and Events, England Hockey, 01628 897500 Lawrence West, PR & Communications Assistant, England Hockey, 01628 897500 Tom Grocott, Cannock Hockey Club, 01564 796 200 Steph Newport, Communications & Marketing Officer, Staffordshire County Council, 01785 278576 |
Click here to return to the newsletter