Mike Adams, Havant hockey

Local hockey has been saddened to learn of the recent death of Havant stalwart and keen town cricket follower Mike Adams, at the ripe out age of 91.
​To say that he was a very valued and dedicated Havant member is an understatement, as will be become evident in this tribute. 
Mike had been battling a debilitating illness for many years but, he was a fighter. He was admitted to hospital in November and subsequently contracted Covid 19, but despite his other health problems he fought and beat this dreadful virus.
Mike was educated at Taunton School and it was during his time there that he found a great love of sport, particularly cricket, hockey and, of course, golf. He was an accomplished player at each of these sports, and later played a round of golf with Ian Woosnam OBE.  
After spending time in Australia and then Somerset (where he became a staunch county cricket follower), Mike and his wife Pam returned to Havant to form his own software company, Publisher, and was later to employ and sponsor a young David Faulkner on his way to Great Britain Olympic hockey fame and now President of Havant Hockey Club.  
Once again Mike became heavily involved in local sport, he was dedicated to Havant Cricket Club during the Summer months, and in Winter to Havant Hockey Club. This combined nicely when Mike became Chairman of Havant Sports Club, he was also Captain of Hockey, Chairman of the Fundraising Committee, Manager of our Men’s 1st X1 team, editor of our match day programme and one of HHC’s first sponsors, which he maintained until his illness.
Mike was also responsible for bringing Ezz & Hamoza to Havant, the club soon realising he was a very special player, but following a return to Egypt the club found it difficult to get him a visa to return to the UK. Mike volunteered to fly to Egypt and sort matters out which he did, recalling: “When I was being driven at break-neck speed through the narrow streets of Cairo by a budding Sterling Moss, I thought I would never see England again.” Thankfully he did and brought Ezz and his skills back, which helped Havant to National honours.
Havant president and 1988 Seoul Olympic gold winning medal winner David Faulkner reflected: “There is no doubt that without Mike’s support, encouragement, guidance and wisdom my hockey and business career would not have developed at the pace it has and I can say that for other members of our Club too. Havant Hockey Club meant so much to Mike and we owe him so much for our success over the past 50 years”.