Hockey: Paul Edwards in at Cannock as Dave Mayer leaves

Sep 25 2008

FORMER national champions Cannock have parted company with coach David Mayer after seven years in charge at Church Lane.

Mayer has been replaced by former Cannock player Paul Edwards, who last season coached Olton and West Warwicks in the Women’s Premier.

Mayer said: “Cannock wanted to go in a different direction.

“I shall continue to play for Cannock, which has always been my club, and see where that goes.

“I’ve no plans to get involved with coaching at the moment.

“Paul Edwards is a good friend of mine and has my fullest support.’’

Edwards, a Welsh international, will be supported by Phil Gooderham, who has taken over the role of director of hockey at Cannock.

But Gooderham will continue to coach Birmingham University’s women, who play in National Division One where they are well fancied to take the title.

Edwards has brought in three key recruits this summer, Peter Flanigan from Brooklands, Stourport player Will Pearce and Rohit Kapoor, who spent last season with Birmingham University.

However, Edwards will have to cope with a string of high-profile departures.

Internationals Chris Mayer and Andy Humphrey have gone along with Martin Jones, who has joined rivals Beeston.

Cannock have also lost out on their London-based contingent of short corner specialist Simon Ramsden and fellow internationals Andy West and James Tweedle, who has joined Old Georgians.

Added to that, Andy Langlands has switched to Stourport after taking up a post at Bromsgrove School.

Edwards added: “I think the travelling began to tell on the London players. Once one dropped out, it was only going to be a matter of time before the others did.

“I was only sorry I couldn’t have stayed at Olton and seen the job through.

“But the offer of a return to Cannock was simply too good to miss.’’