From the Wellington 5th XI to the Masters World Cup

Francis Long (Hl 84) at the World Cup – kneeling, bottom right.

This summer, Francis Long (Hl 84) represented England LX (Over 60s) at the Masters Hockey World Cup in Antwerp, despite playing in the 5^th XI at Wellington. Francis shares his experience:

“After Wellington, I played at Spencer Hockey Club in London for 30 years. Then, in 2021, my family moved out of London to take over my father’s small farm at Midgham, near Newbury. Not wanting to give up playing, I joined Reading Hockey club. Early on, I got a tap on the shoulder from a vets player who said simply: “what are you doing? This is not how we play at Reading.”

Over the next three or four years, I effectively re-learned how to play hockey “properly”. At Reading, the emphasis was on short passing, possession and keeping the ball – rather than simply thwacking it up the pitch and hoping for the best!

Earlier this year, another vets player suggested I should try out for the England World Cup team. Trials took place in Nottingham and Worcester in February 2026. In August, I found myself in Antwerp representing England LX at the Masters World Cup.

The tournament was huge, with 139 teams competing across different age groups. In our over-60s pool, there were 11 teams, and England LX eventually finished fourth – one place above Germany B.

The conditions were challenging, to put it mildly. Temperatures reached 37°C, making the matches particularly demanding.

We were eventually knocked out in the semi-final by England B, who went on to win the tournament, beating the Netherlands 2–1 in the final. The respective A teams competed in a separate pool, with England A losing to Australia A in their final.

Francis in the 1984 5th XI, standing second from right.

Joining the Reading team was a game changer for me, not only in improving my hockey but opening doors to opportunities like these. A remarkable 26 Reading male veterans players travelled to the World Cup, representing teams across age groups from the 50s upwards. That was more than twice the number attending from any other club.

To anyone who spent their Wellington sporting career somewhere towards the bottom of the team sheet: keep going.

Hockey and tennis are obvious examples, but the principle applies much more widely. Sport can provide an important mental release as well as keeping you fit, and you may even inspire your children to take up a sport themselves. It can remain a source of friendship, competition and enjoyment long after school days are over, even if it means those that get a chance are often those described as “last man standing!”

With thanks to Francis Long for this article.

To find out more and get involved with the OW Sports Clubs and Societies, visit wellycom.net/old-wellingtonian-society/ow-sports-clubs/