This weekend (4 October) Guernsey veteran hockey players travel to the Island to play their counterparts for the annual competition called The Ledger Trophy. The idea was started in 1988 by the Guernsey Hockey President. It offers the opportunity for senior players to have game of hockey followed by a decent lunch and discuss the finer points of the game. The rules were written longhand in “legalese” in a large ledger type book, hence the name of the competition. As the rules were written by a Guernseyman, the language is complementary towards them whilst being mildly insulting towards their opponents. To give the event gravitas, the rules are read out aloud after the lunch with each side cheering or jeering at the salient points of the presentation. Everyone who plays, officiates or observes and attends the lunch signs the Ledger. Photographs of each team are also included along with a copy of the menu and copies of the bill. When photographs had to be developed it either meant using a polaroid camera or rushing to Boots to get them reproduced on the day. To demonstrate this is a pan-island and friendly competition, red and green quarters polo shirts were produced for the 25th game, each one bearing that number. To celebrate the 30th anniversary, red and green striped blazers were commissioned. There are 2 matches played on the day with the older Vintage players (over 45 years of age) playing first followed by the younger Veterans (over 35). The matches themselves are competitive but played in good spirit. Two important rules are always adhered to – the scores are never recorded and “The Ledger shall never spend a night in Jersey”. The latter rule has almost been broken on a number of occasions when fog threatens to lead to the cancellation of their return flight from Jersey. One year, a RIB was sent to Jersey to return The Ledger, picking up the trophy and some crew members from Bouley Bay in dense fog at midnight! Other than the 2 seasons affected by Covid 19, the competition continues to be is played annually, alternating between the islands, this year being the 36th playing of the tournament.
Author: Conrad Evans