Western Wildcats Hockey Club - Internationalists 51 - 57

 
51. G.T. Moodie
 
 


Croydon-born Graham Moodie emerged as a youngster of promise in Edinburgh with Inverleith.  He was already a full Scottish internationalist  before moving to Western.  He joined an outstanding team and his class quickly complemented the wealth of ability at the club at that time. A dynamic, intelligent and skilful midfielder, at his best he dominated games while giving the appearance of simply cruising (which should in no way detract from his supreme physical fitness and commitment to his sport).

Alongside Graham Dunlop he represented Great Britain in the 2004 Athens Olympics where he was totally at home at the highest level and his achievements at both international and domestic level stand comparison with the very best.  Common- wealth Games rep-resentation followed in Melbourne (2006) and Delhi  (2010).   
 Plagued by injury latterly, he still had the ability to make an impact on matches even when restricted by those injuries. He represented the club in the EHL in Lille before returning east to a player/coach role with Edinburgh University while continuing his international career. 

  
     
 
54. D.J. Simpson
 
 


Another player who was very highly rated while at Stepps as a youngster, Douglas Simpson only made the breakthrough to the full national squad after moving to Auchenhowie in 2002. In truth, he benefited enormously from his exposure to the intensely competitive and driven personalities he found at Western and it was in this demanding environment that he blossomed and began to fulfil his undoubted potential.

Breathtakingly skilful to the point of being unplayable when on top form, he is a wonderfully effective winger who also has the capacity to play through the middle and in midfield. Simpson has enjoyed a free-scoring partnership with Scott McCartney for some years - he is particularly lethal shooting off his reverse – and, between them, they pose a potent threat for any defence.  His predatory skills are also shown off to great effect indoors, where he has also picked up caps.

A career highlight was selection for the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, along with teammates Dunlop, Mansouri and Moodie.

Voted Player of the Year for season 2010-11, Simpson assumes the role of 1st Team Captain for season 2011-12 and this is a fitting role for a highly respected senior player at the peak of his powers.

  
     
 
52. A.J. MacDougall
 
 

'Malky’ arrived from Stepps, by way of MIM, in summer 2000. A star of international youth hockey, his strength and power were an asset as were his versatility and fierce competitive edge. In a three year spell at Auchenhowie he proved an important member of an utterly dominant team and made himself a fixture in international squads during this time. Equally at home in defence or as a striker, MacDougall departed for Kelburne in 2003 and, from there, returned to Stepps where he eventually became player-coach before retiring in 2011.
 
     
 
55. D. Mansouri
 
 

Yet another local, Dave Mansouri came through the club’s youth system in the late nineties and originally claimed his place in the first team as a full back. His dedication led to his first of 19 caps in 2004, and culminated in selection for the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

As he has matured, he has developed into a combative and highly efficient midfield player  bringing a different dimension to today’s 1st team.


Given his professional life as a surgeon, it is to his credit that his commitment to hockey has remained so steadfast, to the point that he was able to assume the captaincy in 2009-10. Now very much a senior player, Mansouri’s role in the current 1st team remains an absolutely vital one.

  
     
 
57. G.F. McCallum
 
 


Grant McCallum moved to Western from Motherwell in 2007 and looked to be a promising acquisition as Western challenged strongly for the title that season. His 3 caps came in the Celtic Cup in 2008 and he seemed set to build a successful career both with club and country. To his frustration, injury proved a tiresomely common companion for McCallum and he found himself sidelined for long periods. A thoroughly personable individual, his outstanding performance in the 2011 Scottish Cup final served as a heartwarming farewell as he had already decided to take a break from the game at the end of that season.

 
     
 
53. A.A.J. Sewnauth
 
 

Andrew Sewnauth was marked out for stardom from an early age such was his prodigious ability when playing his way through the junior sections of both Western and the national set-up. Tall, quick and powerful, he was soon making waves in the 1st team and debuted as a teenager before going on to make an impact on perhaps the most successful side in the club’s history as part of the squad that went to Bloemendaal in 2001.

Cool in possession and an astute reader of the game, Sewnauth found his natural home as a ball-playing sweeper who makes the play with accuracy and imagination. He collected his 62 caps in short order, and scored from the spot as Scotland beat England 2-1 in the 2003 European Championships in Barcelona. His record as a penalty taker and as an option at short corners speaks volumes for his technical excellence and calm under pressure. Indeed, his laid-back playing style and personality masks a highly competitive nature.

An excellent captain, his leadership of the 1st team was finally rewarded in 2011 when he lifted the Scottish Cup.
 
     
 
56. J.D. Simpson
 
 

Another highly rated youngster to emerge from the Stepps nursery, Joe Simpson followed his older brother to Auchenhowie in 2003 and won the double that season. Fit, strong, direct and often spectacular, he is equally adept indoor or out, and has represented his country in both codes.

His opportunities to showcase his fabulous skills for the club have been limited by sabbaticals in New Zealand and Germany and by recurring problems with injury. However with his extrovert personality and panache he can illuminate the 1st team, and Simpson is a crucial member of today’s side.

  
     
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