Allan Cottier

Mon, 25 May 2009

Allan Cottier, aged 64, died this week. He had been gravely ill since the end of last year, and, although his time was limited, his sudden death still came as a shock.

Allan was a long term player, committee member and president of Valkyrs Hockey Club. He began playing for Valkyrs in 1965 and was still taking part in competitive hockey up until a couple of years ago for Castletown. He got quite a kick out of still playing in his early 60s. Allan was mainly a centre forward for Valkyrs Vagabonds mixed and Valkyrs men's teams. Both teams won many leagues and cups in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Allan was a free-scoring forward with a unique style of his own which not only confused the opposition but often his fellow team members as well!

He won the Manx Hockey Association's leading goal scorer award in 1968-69, 1969-70 and 1973-74. He played for the Island side on many occasions. At this time he also involved himself in the running of the sport through his membership of the committee of the Manx Hockey Association, and his interest in helping local hockey was demonstrated by his contribution to the running of the Easter and Whit festivals. He became president of Valkyrs in 1977, a position he held for many years.

Allan's love of hockey and the pride he had of being part of Valkyrs hockey club was matched by the affection and respect his fellow players had for him. The Island's hockey fraternity mourns the early loss of a true servant to the sport and a great character who was rarely seen without a smile on his face. A man of great honesty and integrity. He leaves a wife Susan and sons Steve and Nick, both of whom also play hockey.