Remembering David Sumpter

On Thursday October 19th, David Sumpter, one of EGHC's treasured Vice Presidents, passed away at St Catherine's Hospice.  Click through to learn more... 

David Sumpter was a former player, an umpire, a committee member and a Vice President of East Grinstead Hockey Club.  He was also active in the wider hockey family having devoted a considerable amount of time and energy to The Hockey Museum in Woking.

David attended Nottingham University's school of Agriculture where he graduated in Agricultural Sciences.  His expertise in plant sciences enabled him to play a significant role in lengthening the lifespan of EGHC's astro turf surfaces over the years with his expertise regularly being sought in the removal of algae and other invasive plant life.  He was the UK Manager at Rohm's Agricultural Division and oversaw parts of the business in Israel, a country he very much enjoyed visiting.

Earlier this year, David made some notes, reflecting on his times with East Grinstead Hockey Club.  With thanks to David's family we share them below.  They are reproduced in the "note form" in which he wrote them:

"moved down here in Jan '75 with an Eastern Counties hockey umpire's qualification.  Applied to join Southern Counties, who said I needed to be checked out over a season.  In Nov I was called one Sunday morning to umpire a cup match at EG vs Chichester.  I arrived to find a raucous band of EG supporters spectating.  Chichester scored 4 goals in the first 20 minutes at my end.  I received many comments !

EG rallied but Chichester won 6:3 or 6:4.  Much later in the bar, I joined EG Hockey Club.  I umpired for them when I could, and played in the 2nd and 3rd teams for a couple of years.  I continued umpiring and supporting until my early 70s.

I chaired one of the Sports Club's Committees.  I was also a founder member of the Gym and Squash Club.  I played squash until I was 73 and was at the gym till 84.

I then became a first team supporter full time.  The men had lots of support and sponsorship at the time so I gradually made the Ladies 1sts and 2nds my main support.  As such, I became friends with several players, lots of watching relatives and others.  Great enjoyment, a few heartaches and lots of lovely memories.  Alan Colinge and I travelled far and wide to watch.

GREAT MEMORIES and thanks to all who helped.

David Sumpter 23/05/2023"

Notes and input provided with great thanks to Tony Meakin, Andrew Sumpter, Lottie Gregory and Alan Collinge

We wish David's family much love at this time.