A club player who lost six teeth in an horrific injury playing a top-of-the-table clash in the Midlands Premier Division has been forced to start a fundraising page after facing a dental bill of up to £10,000.
Playing for Stourport HC, Simon Claris’ injury occurred during a clash against Khalsa Leamington. During a corner, Claris was on the line and with one of Khalsa’s ex-Pakistan internationals flicking, he was struck straight in the mouth. Stourport were 3-2 up at the time (the eventual final score) after they missed the resulting penalty flick.
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That poor bloke, absolutely horrific. I really hope his fundraising and recovery go well
As a keeper I find it incredible that players continue to face short corners without a mask. From long experience, I can say you do not see the ones that hit you in the face – the difference is that I have a steel grille protecting me
My opinion is that the short corner rule should be updated so that the backboard rule applies to all first shots and deflections of first shots
Such a terrible injury.
I would add, you should not be on the line without a performance face shield with grill.
Our clubs it is mandatory and the club provides the masks. No mask, no business being there.
Totally agree with backboard call for any first shot on goal including deflections. The game is just getting boring watching drag flickers win games rather than proper hockey.
2 points for field goals 1 point for drag flick goals. Maybe.
I am also astonished that has he been wearing a face mask this could have been avoided!
We have a son who is playing in the Irish U18s and in the EYL1 league in Ireland. He has broken his jaw twice this year as a 17/18 year old. I disagree that this is something players just have to adapt to. The sticks have the ability to hit the ball so much harder, more of the game can now be played in the air, the pitches are faster and overall the game is not anywhere near as safe as it was 10/15/20 years ago. Our son was one of 4 facial surgeries in Belfast the weekend he got hit due to hockey. Broken jaws, eye sockets, cheeks are becoming commonplace. Something more needs to be done.
We have a son who is playing in the Irish U18s and in the EYL1 league in Ireland. He has broken his jaw twice this year as a 17/18 year old. I disagree that this is something players just have to adapt to. The sticks have the ability to hit the ball so much harder, more of the game can now be played in the air, the pitches are faster and overall the game is not anywhere near as safe as it was 10/15/20 years ago. Our son was one of 4 facial surgeries in Belfast the weekend he got hit due to hockey. Broken jaws, eye sockets, cheeks are becoming commonplace. Something more needs to be done and not just at short corners.
We played a game recently, in the lowest division of our league. Our oppo had a drag flicker who had played a high standard in the past. We are essentially a Masters side, over-50s in the main and we have a novice goalkeeper who started playing this season.
We lost the game 7-0, I think with three of the goals being drags.
I don’t think many teams much higher up the pyramid would have such a relentless scoring method.
I appreciate skill in the game, but it did seem inappropriate to the level we play at.
Condolences to Simon, I hope he gets things sorted and is on the pitch again soon.