I am extremely happy and proud to be writing this piece about one of my oldest friends, Jonathan Redfern. He was always ‘Jonno’, until he was introduced to Steve ‘Bart/Barty’ Barton who branded him ‘Redders’ in the mid 90’s.
We started our hockey careers on grass pitches at the club where we used to turn up late and hang around in the changing rooms to miss the Sunday morning training session warm-ups in the freezing cold. We played together for the club through all the junior teams since the age of 8, and through the Yorkshire teams until u21. Away tournaments across Yorkshire at places like Concorde & Richard Dunn meant picking him up at the petrol station on the A1 at Skellow, where he was never on time. We’d watch him sprint over the motorway bridge half dressed with no packed lunch because he knew Barabara ‘Babs’ Bellerby would have packed us egg sarnies and some blackcurrant and apple drinks.
3 decades on, and after many Hockey Tours:
Bridlington – “They won’t accept me!”
Cookestown – “Lads take it easy we have games tomorrow, but, Hodgy, that’s your 10th Pint of Guinness”
Tilburg – Barty’s Black Ball Pool celebration,
And The Ibiza Town stag do “No more f*****g Mojitos!!”, being the most memorable)

This past couple of weeks have been huge for Redders. Not only has he made the decision to retire from 1st Team Hockey at Doncaster after a huge, club record 366 national league caps, he also brought home an England over 45’s Indoor Gold medal, beating the German’s 5-3 in the final.

He started chasing medals for the England over 35’s nearly 10 years ago where some of us watched him take silver against a brilliant Australian side in the Barcelona heat. My sources (Smitty) tell me he has 1 outdoor world cup gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze, then 3 Euro golds, 1 silver and 1 gold indoor. Not a bad England overs cabinet hey!

In sport, most people commit to a certain degree, they turn up as much as they can and become part of the team or a club and often dip in and out of activity. If you speak to anybody across Yorkshire and further afield, they will say that this just isn’t the case with Redders. Competition and the intense desire to win runs through his veins. Not only this, but wearing the mighty DHC badge on his chest means so much to him. He has regularly played through injuries (often not telling the coach), and travelled huge distances to make away matches when the same weekend meant other commitments, he simply despises missing minutes on the pitch, never mind a full game. And this isn’t just hockey! Cricket, squash, paddle, golf, football and more sports all get a slice of his attention too.

I am sure he might lace his boots up next season if the team need him “I will never leave them short” is what he said to me this week, but with another knee operation on the horizon, the decision to step away was made easier.

Redders – nobody wants to see less of you around the place (maybe the umpires do), I am sure you will be helping other teams for a long time and you know how much we would appreciate your support, banter and experience with the Juniors!!

Thank you for your service, from all of us at the Hockey club.

All the best,
Kirk
DHC Chairman and old mate.
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I will leave you with a the words of a few people who helped to get you into our beautiful sport…

Linda ‘Dids’ Redfern/mum
From the age of 8, hockey has been Jonathan’s - (Redders, Jonnos) life.
It was a cold Sunday morning when we arrived at Doncaster Hockey Club with Barry, Sheila and Roger Middleton. Jonathan picked up his first hockey stick and from that day on his fate was sealed.
As parents John and I have spent many happy hours watching him play, enjoying the banter from the Doncaster fans. We were proud to see him move through the ranks, eventually becoming the most capped Doncaster player. A very proud moment.
Over the years we have been proud to watch him grow, not only as a player but as a person. His passion and dedication to hockey and his club, whether playing or coaching will be obvious to anyone who knows him. This passion is inspiring and the family are extremely proud of all his achievements and the memories he has given us, now and in the future, especially his Dad, his number one fan.

Sheila & Roger Middleton
Sheila: It all began when “The Redferns” moved in next door to “The Middletons” in Skellow and Jonno caught the hockey bug from them. Barry and Jonno became soul-mates, always playing hockey in the garden, the house and the street. Sunday mornings, Jonno would arrive early with stick, shoes and knobbly knees, ready for a lift.
Monday evenings, there would be a committee meeting to decide on colour of shirt to wear- to ensure they played on the same side, usually against ‘mum’.
Roger: What Sheila didn’t say was that the Dads removed the joint hedge in the bottom garden to make a bigger playing area and a friend put up lights in the top bit so that they could continue playing in the dark,
Roger: One thing we tried to do was to improve Jonno’s speed and Barry helped. When it was time to pack up, Jonno was given 5 seconds to reach the gate before the “hound” was set free to chase him. Did it work?
Roger: One other memory, Jonno always seemed to appear at mealtimes. I’m sure his mum, Lynne, fed him but obviously not enough.
Sheila: Actually, he was doing Barry a favour, As Barry wasn’t allowed out until he had finished his meal, Jonno had to be on hand to clear the plate for him. Talk about hollow legs!
Sheila: A lovely lad, aways polite and considerate and unassuming, but always up for a laugh. We are proud to have introduced him to Doncaster HC where he has been a “character”, made lifetime friends and got great enjoyment from “our” sport.
Roger: From first knowing him, he has gained great self-confidence and the gift of the gab. He’s never changed - Thank God!!!

Barry Middleton
What can I say about Redders that tells people how much of a legend he is but without making his head too big. Me and Redders grew up playing every day on our street in Skellow for 15 years. He’s the ultimate competitor and hates losing even though he did every day back then. Mate, you’ve been an absolute legend for Donny and I didn’t think you’d ever choose to stop. Can’t believe how much you’ve achieved through all your hard work. You honestly deserve all the nice words people will say about you today.

Steven ‘Barty’ Barton
Having been at DHC myself I have played with & seen some incredible players.
Having seen what Redders has achieved, not just at Doncaster but Internationally as well,
What an unbelievable legacy he has achieved.
His performance levels have been outstanding and his stats are massive, no one will ever get anywhere near his appearances.
He should be so proud of his achievements.
I’ve seen him grow from his school days to International levels.
He is impressive on & off the field & in my view, very humble about himself & without doubt a total team player.
From his early friendship with his next door neighbour, a certain Barry Middleton, we have been so blessed with two kids from Skellow, especially Redders as a one club legend!!
Congratulations & well done mate, for all your success.
From a former player, coach, trainer, manager, friend & geezer.
Barty

Barbara Bellerby.
38 years of dedication to DHC and his favourite saying “I got my goal” which he said with pride, a smile and so much enthusiasm.
The conversations in the car in the 80s/90s on cold, and sometimes wet Sunday mornings were rather amusing {with Kirk and Jono Crosby and a n other ), but not to be repeated. Congratulations on all you have achieved and I am sure your days at DHC will continue, and you will pass on your expertise and encouragement to our up and coming juniors, even if it means me getting the eggs and breadbox out.
Whatever you decide, wishing you all the very best , but I am sure and hope I will still see you on the pitch when you are ‘mended’.
All the very best,
Auntie B.

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