STOURPORT Hockey Club have unveiled a memorial bench dedicated to former club chairman Alastair McIntyre.
McIntyre passed away at the age of 61 in December following a short illness.
He served as chairman of Stourport between 1997 and 2000, overseeing the club’s move from its old Tan Lane site to its current home as part of Stourport Sports Club.
Current Stourport chairman, Martin Tucker, delivered a short speech upon unveiling the bench which also contains a personalised plaque engraving in his memory.
McIntyre’s son Harry and widow Karen unveiled the bench alongside Tucker.
The bench overlooks the pitches at Stourport’s Kingsway home.
A match between an Ali McIntyre Memorial XI against a Stourport men’s 6th XI took place following the bench unveiling.
The game began with Karen hitting the ball back to Harry while both teams included many current and former Stourport players.
The match ended in a 4-4 draw with friends and family retiring to the bar afterwards to reminisce about Alastair’s contribution to the club.
Karen said: “The memorial match was a happy and very special day.
“Seeing so many people, both players and spectators, remembering Mac was heart-warming. Thank you all.
“The memorial bench, crafted by Wyre Forest Community Land Trust, is a beautiful tribute where we can all sit a little while and remember a wonderful husband and father, and dedicated and loved member of Stourport Hockey Club.
“Many thanks to Steve Taylor and all involved in organising the day.”
Tucker added: “It was a fabulous day to see so many people turn out to remember Ali – both on and off the pitch.
“Ali was a tremendous servant of the club over many years.
“Not only did he take the responsibility as chairman for a period of time, he found time to contribute to the club in all sorts of different ways from helping to organise events and tours to captaining teams and chairing selection committees.
“He was one of those people who gave his time freely and to put it simply, he got the sort of stuff done that benefitted others.
“It was a shock to us all that he left us way too soon, but the game on the pitch and the socialising in the bar after was a fitting tribute to a man who gave more than most to Stourport Hockey Club.”
