South Nottingham Hockey Club, Bingham, celebrates after ladies' team secure Notts Women’s Hockey League Division Three title

A hockey club has expressed its delight after the Nottinghamshire Hockey Association announced their promotion would stand.

South Nottingham Hockey Club, which is based in Bingham, is celebrating — albeit in lockdown — after its ladies’ team secured the Notts Women’s Hockey League Division Three title.

Team captain Bethany Marshall, who balanced her hockey with her final year of university, said: “No player ever failed to give 100% effort.

“The commitment and full club support has been wonderful and we are ready to build on these successes next season.

“I and the whole club are very proud.”

Chairman Simon Recaldin and manager Euan Temple were also full of praise for the players.

Temple said: ”The team is a close-knit hockey family of all ages and has developed though team training and match successes against good opponents, into something very much bigger than the sum of its individual members.

“It is a real team victory.”

Recaldin echoed Temple’s comments and said the community spirit at the club played a huge part in the team’s achievements.

“Success breeds success,” he said. “The men’s teams would often arrive early to give support to the ladies team.

“The amazing and impressive success of the ladies is also very much a full club success.”

Bingham scored 67 goals and conceded just 11 as they won 14 of their 15 leagues matches — their only defeat was a 2-1 home loss to second-placed West Bridgford, who also earned promotion.

Liz Taylder, women’s league representative, said: “We had a rather abrupt and early end to the season, and teams were left in different positions with regard to the number of games played, but we have had to make decisions as to what happens next.

“Having looked at the league tables, most of these are clear as they stand, and would not be affected by the remaining games, so we believe the fairest way to decide this, is to freeze the divisions as is, and current positions will stand.

“There are two divisions where relegation had not been finalised but given the circumstances we have taken the decision that the results as they are, will stand.

“This also reflects the action taken by the Midlands League. Promotion to the feeder league will occur as normal.

“In all other divisions we will be promoting two teams.

“The number of additional promotions, and how many teams are relegated , will depend on the number of new teams entering the league.”

The league are aware of two additional entries to the league.

Cup finals will also be postponed and will be played as a season open, once hockey returns.