Looking Back

The picture was also featured in the UK Ice Hockey Herald.

The Whitley Bay Guardian of January 17, 1975, printed a team photograph too and one of Utrecht Hunters, who were arriving that day to become the first-ever international team to play ice hockey at the Hillheads Rink.

Whitley Warriors beat Utrecht in Holland in September 1974 while representing Britain after topping the Northern League for the first time in the club’s history.

Runners-up Dundee Rockets won the sport’s Spring Cup by beating Fife Flyers.

The Warriors had beaten Fife convincingly to retain their own club trophy, the Northumbria Cup, awarded annually to teams with the best record for the season against the Hillheads Club.

They beat Streatham Royals in both legs and retained the ‘Icy’ Smith Cup for a second year.

In the Edinburgh Evening News Trophy match they were beaten 8-6 by Murrayfield Racers, however.

Whitley Braves were runners-up in the Northern Second League.

Whitley Warriors championship-winning team comprised Bobby Gilbert, captain Kenny Matthews, Les Scott, Dave Cassidy, John Hudson, Harry Pearson, Bill McLane, Keith Havery, John Vail, Terry Matthews (their coach and leading scorer), Alfie Miller (their player of the year for the 1972-73 season), Dave Taylor and George and Jim Pearson.

Club chairman Sid Dingwall and team manager Bill Bailey were photographed with the Warriors on the eve of their home match against Utrecht for the Whitley Bay Guardian.

If anyone has further information on our photograph this week, they can ask for Discover at North Shields Customer First Centre on 0191 643 5270 or email [email protected]