In late October, Simon Mason, Managing Director and Owner of Mercian Hockey met with the original founder of Mercian and President and Honorary Curator of The Hockey Museum, Mike Smith to announce a new, 5-year sponsorship agreement.

Speaking at the event, Simon Mason said:
‘The Museum and Mercian have a long, intertwined history. Mike was finding, curating, and storing valuable hockey memorabilia at Mercian as far back as I can remember, which, given they sponsored me personally from the age of 13, feels like a long time.

‘During one stage of my international career a coach once said that you can’t be a rounded international player unless you understand the history of the game, where it started and what it has become. So, while I am no historian, I do understand the value of knowing our game’s history and therefore the incredible work that the Museum is doing to protect and then showcase valuable items and collections. It is only right that we (Mercian) invest in that history and heritage, helping The Hockey Museum strive towards their fabulous goals.’

Mike Smith said:
‘I started collecting historical and artistic material on hockey even before I founded Mercian, so my passions for the history of the game and Mercian were entwined half a century ago and I remain just as passionate about both today.

‘We all know what a great ambassador for hockey Simon is. He has been encouraging and supporting The Hockey Museum throughout the dozen years that we have had a home in Woking, and before that when our founding collection was stored in the Mercian warehouse and my office housed a library of hockey books that I made available to interested students!
‘As Simon has alluded to, our sport cannot possibly “know where it is going, unless it knows where it has been”. This is the role that The Hockey Museum has taken on and it very reassuring for us to know that we have behind us the interest and support of Mercian and Simon Mason.’

The Hockey Museum has a vision of ‘Inspiring people to embrace hockey’s values by sharing engaging stories through innovation and inclusivity’. Based in Woking, Surrey, it is collecting, preserving and sharing as much and as many items from hockey’s colourful history as possible.

To get involved with sponsoring yourself or understanding more the work that it does, please contact The Hockey Museum’s trustee lead for fundraising, David Knapp via the website contact form.