Popular Barons marksman Andy Ayers is set to end his long-term affiliation with the club after announcing his intention to retire ahead of the end of season presentation evening this weekend.

Ayers, who began his career with the Barons junior setup at the age of nine, has been a mainstay in the Barons squad for the last SEVENTEEN years after being promoted to the first team at the age of just 17.

And speaking after the final game of the season against Whitley Warriors, Ayers said: “I am retiring definitely. I’ve been in the Barons senior team since I was 17 and I’m 34 now. I played at Solihull in the juniors since I was nine, so I’m the oldest here – apart from Leapy!

Andy Ayers shows the determination which has seen him as a long term fixture on the Barons forward lines.

“They all reckon I’ll be back playing next season, but I think this is it now - I’ll have to see how much money Daz offers me!” 

A one-club man, Ayrers has proved an important figure in the Barons dressing room over the years and his impeccable service will not soon be forgotten.  After reflecting on that success over Whitley, Ayers cut a happy figure after bowing out on a high to help halt the run of nine consecutive defeats.

“Was it that many? I was getting too used to losing! It was good to end that run, it’ll get the crowd back for next season and that’s what we need, the support.

“It was a good game. Considering it was the last game of the season with nothing to play for other than the fans really. It’s a shame we couldn’t have done it right from the start of the season, but that’s the way it goes. Everybody turned up, which is good for the books and I enjoyed it. It is nice for me to leave on a win.”

The season eventually ended in relegation for the Barons despite a promising spell in December of two wins and a draw from four games and Ayers insisted that with a bit more luck on their side, they would have avoided the drop.

“Consistency and injuries played a big part,” he added. “The amount of d-men that we had at the beginning of the season compared to the how many we’ve got left now shows you.

“I mean we drew against the top of the league and we beat a few others around Christmas. We could have beaten any of the teams in the league; it’s a close league I think. We were two games off the teams above us, Coventry and Nottingham, so with a few more wins we’d have been in there with a chance.

“I’ve enjoyed this season because of the standard of hockey. It’s definitely better and it is the kind of league that Solihull belong in.  Maybe with a couple more players and if we could’ve kept Dean Tonks, then I think we’d have stayed up.

“All of the lads will be looking forward to getting back after a break for a few months in the summer and everyone will be playing for their place next season.”

Show Andy your support and wish him well at the Barons presentation evening, featuring awards for supporter’s player and young player of the season, on Saturday (April 14) in the function room at Hobs Moat Road.

Tickets for the evening cost £6 per person (buffet included) and can be reserved by contacting thesolihullbarons@gmail.com. Alternatively you can pay on the door.