Mexborough and Swinton Times November 12, 1949

Mexbro’ Man For Spain

Mr. Frank Loveland, of Mexborough, secretary of the newly-formed Yorkshire and District Rink Hockey League, two other Mex-borough Rink Hockey players, Bob Goodall (Bentley) and Jack Spavin (Scunthorpe), and four other players from the North of England, have been chosen as members of a North of England team to tour Portugal and Spain.

Commencing on December 4th, the party will fiy to Lisbon and return on December 12th.

Mr. Loveland told a “Times” I reporter that a British team consisting mainly of southerners was beaten last year by the Portugese in Portugal in an international I match, and the reason for picking ! an all North of England team is, he thinks, a move to see whether northern players can do any better than last year’s team did against world champions, Portugal.

While in Portugal and Spain they are to play representative games with various area champions. Highlight of the tour will be when they play the Portugese international championship side. The results of these games will have a bearing on the selection of this year’s British international touring team.

Mr. Loveland, who is employed by British Railways, was also a member of the team which won the North of England Championships in 1947-48.