Mexborough & Swinton Times, May 6 1932

G.O.M. Of Rink Hockey

Olympia Flyers’ Veteran Leader

Mr. H. B. L Oliver

One of the most enthusiastic and whole hearted roller skating rink hockey players in the country is Mr. R. H. L. Oliver of Swinton, who, despite the fact that he has just celebrated his fiftieth birthday is leading the Mexborough Olympia Flyers from success to success.

Mr. Oliver claims to be the oldest playing member of a rink hockey ebb In England, and this is all the more remarkable because the other four members of the side are all youths, who play at a pace which one would imagine Mr. Oliver would find difficult to maintain. But whatever the speed or nature of the game , Mr. Oliver is a full time player, and as was demonstrated at Scarborough a short while ago when the team played an hour’s extra inns before defeating West Hartlepool in the final of the Whitaker Cup, he can “stay” longer than the usual period if necessary.

Several months ago Mr. Oliver offered a handsome cup for annual competition among clubs In the North of England, and it is apparent that his action has been appreciated in all Quarters, for sixteen teams entered for the competition, and after some, keenly contested games four teams are now ready for the semi-finals. It is fitting that Mr. Oliver’s own team should be one of these and one of his chief ambitions is that they should become the first holders et the trophy. The team have also reached the semi-final of the Withernsea Cup, in which they meet Withernsea tomorrow. From every rink they have visited in league, cup and friendly games, letters of congratulation have been received, with special reference to the splendid spirit of the team’s “grand old man.” There is no doubt that Mr. Oliver is an ideal sportsman and he will put himself to considerable trouble and expense for the betterment of the game, to which he devotee almost every minute of his leisure.

Mr. Oliver’s first venture on skates was on the ice at Wisbech when he was only seven year’s old. He was a member of the hockey team that played on the Wash during the winter season, and it was not until many years after that be turned his attention to roller skating. He was also an enthusiastic athlete and keen cyclist, and has won numerous prises, over all distances and mimes, in these branches of sport. For several years he was proprietor of the Brickyard Rink (now re-named the Grand), and was a prominent member of the hockey team associated with it.

“I shall co on playing as long as I possibly can” Mr. Oliver told a “Times” representative on Monday. “I hope that in the near future we shall spoil Manchester Fivers’ unbeaten home record and he added humorously, “I think we shall take the Olympia first team down at the next time of asking.”