Eddie Rosen

 I vividly remember Eddie being the embodiment of the Gunners Spirit! Larger than life in more ways than one, whether on the pitch bossing the back line, which I was usually part of, in his intimidating Anaheim Ducks NHL hockey shirt, or holding court off the turf once the final whistle had gone. One liners poured from him and quizzical yet jocular enquiry had the masses in stitches every Saturday. I was lucky enough to have a seat next to him on the minibus and rarely did we stop smiling as we journeyed around the eastern counties. When we graduated to the higher teams of Old Loughtonians, the Gunners connection never left us, and we were all looking forward to reconvening in the National League 1st XI squad when we had advanced our levels sufficiently. Sadly it was never to be and I remember exactly where I was when I got the fateful call one Spring morning, Eddie was dead.

They say friendships formed in adversity are amongst the strongest, and whilst we mourned Eddie it cemented the bonds forged all those years ago on the concrete pitches of Inner London, the indoor astro in the Arsenal stadium and the long Essex away minibus trips. But those dark years also brought outpourings of humour and joy when we remembered the life Eddie had and the brief time we shared. It is testament to his character that we continue to defy time and meet in his name at least once a year, and we are grateful to Eastbourne HC and the opportunity they have given us to hold a new tournament in his honour, and to raise funds for the Meningitis Research Foundation. Eddie would have been first on the pitch, playing the Gunners way, and first with a drink in hand post-game. We thank you for all your support and hope that during this second Saffrons Sixes you will join us in playing the positive hockey that Eddie would have been proud of, as well as raising a toast of something suitable to absent friends.

Ollie Davies