THIS IS SPARTA!!!!

When the history of HHC is retold in bars and taverns across the land they will recount the epic bravery of 9 Hertfordians on the 14 February 2015, who went into battle against the league leaders Bedford with neither chance nor hope of victory. They began knowing in their heads that defeat was inevitable but feeling in their hearts that it was worth the fight nonetheless.

Story tellers will recount the many heroic saves by Ian Smith, the gritty defending by Matt Earle, Finn Kennedy and Lee Barber. They will speak of Damien Pitts, injured after 20 mins but who fought on for his team. They will have listeners hanging on their ever word about youngster Archie Akers promoted to the 2s and who marked and attacked bravely echoing the spirit of 2s heroes from the past. The audience will marvel at the times Tom Gates spun his way through seemingly brick Bedford walls to demonstrate this team was still there to play quality Hockey and they would applaud at the memory of the wonderfully taken goal by James Begg late on scything through Bedford on the left before lobbing the keeper with an exquisite chip.

And finally they would talk of a mightily proud Captain, David Oldridge, who saw more heart in that game from the Hertford 9 than many squads of 14 have ever mustered.

The Legend of the Hertford 9 is born.