The Top of the D

The biggest weekend in the England Hockey calendar is here as the four men's teams and four women's teams battle it out to be crowned champions! East Grinstead, Hampstead and Westminster, Surbiton and Reading battle it out for the women's title. Surbiton aiming to retain the title they won last year. Surbiton, Wimbledon Old Georgians and first-time finalists Oxted were going for the men's title, with OGs aiming for a fourth title in a row. Who's going to win it? Well, you probably know the answer already, but this was recorded as things unfolded in real time. So enjoy all the details, reaction and post match interviews from the domestic league finals.

Super Sixes Finals Day - the crescendo of English Hockey's brief indoor season. East Grinstead's women aim to retain the title they won last year, taking on Sutton Coldfield in the semi final whilst Surbiton and Buckingham battle it out in the other semi final. In the men's competition, Old Georgians are also looking to retain their crown. They come up against East Grinstead. Wimbledon take on Southgate in the semi final. This podcast was recorded in real time with post match reports and interviews done immediately after the whistle. Come with me to enjoy England Hockey's Big Day In!

It all comes down to this. The England Hockey Men's and Women's Finals weekend. East Grinstead, Hamsptead and Westminster, Surbiton and Wimbledon battle it out for the women's title. Surbiton aiming to wrestle the title back from East Grinstead after their eight year dominance was interrupted last season. Surbiton, Hampstead and Westminster, Wimbledon and Old Georgians going for the men's title, with OGs aiming for a third title in a row. Who's going to win it? Well, you probably know the answer already, but this was recorded as things unfolded in real time. So enjoy all the details, reaction and post match interviews from the domestic league finals.

I went along to Derby to see who'd become the men's and women's Super 6s Champions. For England Hockey's Big Day the semi-finals were East Grinstead vs Slough and Surbiton vs Buckingham in the women's competition and Old Georgians vs Hampstead and Westminster and Sevenoaks vs Wimbledon in the men's. I was there all day to bring you all the updates and all the interviews.

Au revoir doubt, pressure and fear, bonjour Olympic Games! Both Great Britain men's and women's sides have sealed their qualification for the Paris Olympics and in this episode, I reflect on the ups and downs of the qualifying tournaments with a little help from Sarah Jones and Sam Ward, who both bagged vital goals for Great Britain. Thanks for listening!

It's been a very long time since The Top of the D podcast put out a new episode but with the teams now drinking in the last chance saloon to book their tickets to the greatest show on earth - the Olympic Games, I decided now would be the perfect time to record an episode once more. Great Britain Coach David Ralph, Anna Toman and men's captain David Ames all join me as we assess their chances of punching that all important ticket to the biggest tournament in hockey.

This week I'm lucky enough to be joined by England and Great Britain star Brendan Creed.  Brendan is a European and Commonwealth Games bronze medalist and is one of the real characters of the team. A joker on and off the pitch but as I found out, there's plenty more to him than that. We talk injury rehab, Olympics, social media trolls, playing abroad and plenty more besides. Enjoy.  Follow me on social media: https://www.facebook.com/TheTopoftheD/ https://www.instagram.com/thetopofthed/ https://twitter.com/thetopofthed?lang=en-gb https://thetopofthed.com/ Brendan's podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/lets-stick-together-episode-3/id1510732371?i=1000473757432 

This week I’m lucky enough to be joined by one of Scottish Hockey’s finest, Nikki Alexander-Lloyd. She won 130 international caps (and counting?) and played in two Commonwealth Games. She tells me all about her international career, her 9-5, her aspirations for the future and her refusal to leave the Scotland WhatsApp group. So listen in and find out all about one of the biggest hockey badgers there is.

With the world on lockdown I've decided to dust off the podcast mic and give you a little slice of hockey content. Today's guest is the Great Wall of Ipswich, George Pinner. George is the Great Britain and England goalkeeper and has almost 200 caps to his name. He's played in the Olympics, the World Cup, the European Championships, the Champions Trophy and plenty more tournaments. He's faced the best, he's played with some incredible players and he's played in some incredible matches. As a break from all the coronavirus chat we take a little walk down memory lane to talk about George's career highs, his memories and of course, his beloved Ipswich Town. So if you want to know who wore the wrong tie to the photoshoot, who George's favourite team mate is, who the best player he's played against is and why he got David Seaman mixed up with Simon Mason (sort of) then this is the podcast for you. Enjoy.

The Olympic qualifiers are here and we have plenty of talking points including Ireland’s heartbreak at the hands of the video umpire. Plus I speak to Hollie Pearne-Webb and Giselle Ansley as part of my look ahead to Great Britain men’s and women’s Olympic qualifiers this weekend. Lots to get through!

I talk to Surbiton and Great Britain defender Brendan Creed after their 12-0 demolition of Brooklands. Plus there’s a roundup of all the games in the men’s and women’s premier divisions and the usual quiz fun!

The new season is underway so that means it's time for a podcast! Catch up on all the news from the first two weekends of the Men's and Women's Premier divisions in England. There's an exclusive interview with Loughborough Students Head Coach Brett Holland and of course another mystery hockey player for you to guess in the quiz! 

Great Britain's men's and women's sides faced a crucial double header as Argentina and Belgium came to town for the latest installment in the FIH Pro League. Here's a round up of what went on, analysis, interviews, reaction and loads more from a superb weekend of top class hockey. 

It's the climax to the domestic season in England as the best teams in the men's and women's Premier Divisions battle it out for the title. Can Surbiton women make it six in a row? Can their men take their third successive title? Who’s going home with the trophy? Find out as I run through all the action with a bit of analysis thrown in for good measure! 

Join me as I round up the thrills and spills of Super 6s finals day. Match reports and behind the scenes interviews with some of the main players on the day as East Grinstead were crowned Kings and Queens of the domestic indoor scene.

With England set to face Belgium in the Hockey Men's World Cup semi-final this weekend, double Olympian Dan Fox joins me to take a look back at the 2014 meeting between the two sides in the win-or-bust clash from The Hague. As well as looking back I take a look forward at Saturday's big game as Head Coach Danny Kerry gives me his thoughts on the tournament, his squad and the challenge of getting past Belgium. And of course there's the usual Who am I? quiz!

This week I take a look back at the Women’s Champions Trophy as the Netherlands dominate once again. There’s the usual league round up, a quiz and a chat with The King in the North, Brooklands captain Peter Flanagan.

This week I talk financial revolution with Old Georgians coach Mike Hughes. There’s a look at the Premier Divisions and a look at England’s World Cup squad as well as the thoughts of England coach Danny Kerry. All this and plenty more!

This week I take a look ahead to the Women’s Champions Trophy and I speak to GB Head Coach David Ralph. There’s the usual look at the Premier Leagues and of course a quiz and some nicknames! #letsgetcracking

This week I’m joined by two top class goal scorers as Simon Egerton talks about his glorious homecoming and Alan Forsyth talks me through the art of finding the net. There’s the usual league roundup, a hockey who am I and a new feature, too!

Wales star David Kettle announces his retirement, Zoe Shipperley tells us Buckingham’s recipe for success, I round up the Men’s and Women’s Premier Division plus Hockey Partridges and a new feature!

This week Ross ticks off a life goal as he interviews his childhood hero Barry Davies about THAT hockey commentary. There's also a look at Rod Gilmour's book, Seoul Glow, a Premier League round up and some Hockey Partridges

A memorable night for Sam Ward as he reaches 50 international goals and Danny Kerry chalks up his first win as men's head coach, this plus your Hockey Partridges and plenty more!

The return of the men's and women's Premier Divisions give us plenty to talk about and I'm joined by Chris Griffiths and Emily Defroand.

The Top of the D talks to the new England and GB Men's head coach Danny Kerry and the captain George Pinner. Plus the latest #HockeyPartridge shouts from the listeners

Don't be sad it's over, be happy it happened. A look back at the main talking points from the Hockey Women's World Cup

Irish eyes are smiling as the Green Army march into the semi finals. England suffer heartbreak at the hands of the Dutch. Interviews and analysis right here.

Argentina vs Germany and England vs USA. A round up of a superb day of action at the Hockey Women's World Cup