Rodney Kilbee: Folkestone Optimist Hockey Club
Title
Rodney Kilbee: Folkestone Optimist Hockey Club
Subject
Rodney Kilbee
Description
Rodney Kilbee played his first match for Folkestone Optimist Hockey Club in 1959, aged 15. Now in his seventies, and only a few years since he retired from the sport, he says there's still a chance he'll play another game. In this interview, Rodney describes his extensive involvement with the Optimists - whether playing, coaching, or socialising. He also speaks about his active childhood, the shifting landscape of hockey in Kent, changes within the game more generally, and much else besides.
Creator
Michael Romyn
Publisher
Kent's Sporting Memories
Contributor
Rodney Kilbee; Michael Romyn
Collection Items
'We're all optimists here, why not leave it at that?': an account of the origins of Folkestone Optimist Hockey Club
A letter to the editor by K.P. Gifford (Folkestone and Hythe Herald, 1951) describing the origins of Folkestone Optimists, including an account of how it came to be named: 'One of the most important items on the agenda was the naming of our new…
'The Folkestone Optimists cannot claim to be an old established club, for they were formed as recently as 1923': an early history of Folkestone Optimist Hockey Club
A brief history of the club's early years, 1923 - 1935.
Letter concerning the Folkestone Easter Hockey Festival, 1927
A letter to Festival Manager, F.J. Hall, concerning adverts in the Folkestone Easter Hockey Festival programme (1927). A photo of the Cheriton Road Sports Ground is included.
Folkestone Optimist Hockey Club first XI, c. 1949
A photograph of Folkestone Optimist Hockey Club's first XI, taken at Cheriton Road Sports Ground in c. 1949.
Folkestone Optimist Hockey Club, Ladies first XI, c.1940s
A photograph of Folkestone Optimist Hockey Club Ladies' first XI, taken at Cheriton Road Sports Ground during the Folkestone Easter Hockey Festival in c. 1940s.
Folkestone Optimist Hockey Club first XI, 1967/68
A photograph of the Folkestone Optimist Hockey Club first XI (1967/68 season), taken at the Cheriton Road ground. Rodney's brother Toby (Kilby) is front row, left.
Rodney Kilbee and the Folkestone Optimist Hockey Club first XI: Kent and Sussex Trumann League Champions, 1982
A photograph of the Kent and Sussex Trumann League-winning (1982) Folkestone Optimist Hockey Club first XI. Rodney Kilbee stands back row, second from left.
Brian Swoffer: a pictorial tribute
An illustrated tribute to Brian Swoffer, former chairman and president of Folkestone Optimists, who 'dedicated his life to the...club.' Brian was a friend and mentor to Rodney, and many others at the club.