Get to know EGHC Vice President Barry Male

 Barry Male is another Vice President who has contributed to EG's development over the years both on and off the pitch.  With family connections returning to EG and numerous long standing friends, Barry shares his story here...

I am now in my early 70's, retired to a converted barn in NE Hertfordshire next to my daughter Samantha and her family. We are fortunate enough to have a large garden which, together with the Grandchildren and a Labrador called Dolly, keep me well occupied.

I still travel down to Sussex once a month or so to catch up with friends and the rest of my family.  Dominick (a former Mens' 1st Team Captain) will soon come of age to qualify as a Vet and I think his intention is to return to EG and play with his old mates in the Vets – if he can get into a rather good side.  Rest assured I shall be down to watch a few games when and if that happens.

I joined the Club in 1978 on my return from South Africa and took over from Paul Lloyd as 1^st X1 Captain. We had a useful team – a blend of old lags like me with a few who returned from London League and some very good youngsters from the old EG families – and we gained promotion quickly to time our qualification for the start of the National Premiership.  In those heady years we also lifted the National Cup defeating Blackheath.

I went on to Captain the Vets team which needed new blood and when a few more players dropped down with age I founded the Saints XI , which I am pleased to see has been resurrected after a break of a few years.

On the management side , I was a member of the joint Committee which merged the Hockey and Cricket Clubs and was heavily involved in the formation of the new Club , which I also managed for a few years. Daz Brown and I came up with the idea of Le Marquee which was probably our most notable legacy – it having hosted so many of the Club's events over the years. We also started the Saints and Sinners Festival , which was frowned on for some of the 'festival' behaviour but which nevertheless provided important and substantial funds at a time when the Club was in desperate need.  I was President for a short time immediately prior to the merger.