Lesley Watkins (Friend)

Written on 24 September 2016 from Australia

A friend for many years going back to our school days and teenage years. I will miss you very much Roger - lots of happy memories x x

Stella Bendoni 

Written on 24 September 2016 from Southampton

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of such a caring and committed person like Roger. I still remember the day I first went to Southampton training, he was by my side the whole time helping me, coaching me and most importantly being such an amazing and supportive friend not just for me, for everyone.
R.I.P Roger, you will be missed

Tim and Julie Slater (Friends)

Written on 24 September 2016 from St Ives Cambs

It is with great sadness we hear this news. We fondly remember all those times at the OT's hockey club, and the annual bbq and river boat shuffle - a lot fun, laughter, and hockey.

Stephen and Lesley Davis (Neighbour and old school friend)

Written on 24 September 2016 from Toronto, Canada

So good to have seen both Roger & Sue when I was in the UK last week but really sorry to get the news of Roger's passing on my return to Canada. A bitter sweet trip for me as I now regret not taking the opportunity to drop in on previous trips. Still, we at least have pleasant memories of your visit to us a few years ago. Rest in peace old boy with no pain, sorrow or sadness now, except for those you've left behind. Go well Rog. Our fondest love to Sue, XX

Steve & Lesley.

Simon Brook (Alex's Dad)

Written on 25 September 2016 from Horton Heath

We owe you a lot Roger. Thank you for all you did for Alex in introducing him to hockey and patiently nurturing his interest and development in the sport. We miss you at the Sports ground, always encouraging high standards of play and sportsmanship. A true gent.

Roger Merry
• Born in Southampton on 28th September 1946, younger brother to John & Pam
• Attended St Denys Junior School in 1952 moving onto Swaythling Secondary School in 1958
• The school became Glen Eyre in 1962 with Roger being made Head Boy in 1963
• He started his first job in 1964 as a Clerical assistant for Post Office telephones at Claremont House before transferring to the engineering department. He continued his career at BT in engineering before taking early retirement at the age of 48 years when BT were re organising their work force and giving out golden hand shakes
• He was a keen badminton player joining Mount Pleasant Club and representing Southampton Juniors and Hampshire seniors but his first love was hockey
• In 1969 he joined Adastrians Hockey Club which later became ESSO before moving onto OT’s which is now Southampton Hockey Club
• In 1977 he had his leg smashed in a bad tackle playing at Indian Gym which resulted in nerve damage and drop foot. This restricted his playing career so he decided to take up coaching.
• In 1980 he qualified as a Hockey Coach before setting up Southampton Junior section in 1986/87. Which has gone from strength to strength under his leadership. Last year celebrating 25 years of the Southampton Mini hockey tournament which he hosted at the Sports Centre
• In the 1990’s he became Chair of Hampshire Hockey Schools and Youth for 10 years running County Hockey for youngsters, one of which went on to represent Great Britain men in the Olympics.
• He became a Level 3 coach in 1995 and in 2004 coached Southampton ladies 1st xi to national League status
• From 2006 onwards he has successfully coached England and South Lady Masters even coaching the South ladies O55’s in June this year to win the regional tournament in Sheffield
He took pleasure in the pleasure of others

Roger Merry Hockey info

• Roger played for Adastrians before moving onto Old Tauntonian’s which became Southampton Hockey Club
• Roger’s hockey playing career came to an abrupt end in 1977 when his leg was smashed in a bad tackle at Indian Gym and he was left with a dropped foot
• He was also represented Hampshire for Badminton
• He was Head Boy at Glen Eyre School in 1963
• Roger first set up Southampton Junior Hockey Club in 1987
• He dedicated his life to coaching juniors and adults at hockey taking on responsibility for boys County teams in the early nineties before becoming Chair of Hampshire Hockey Schools and Youth in mid-nineties until 2000
• He has run the Southampton Mini Tournament for over 25 years which will continue this year on 20th November at Southampton Sports Centre under the name of The Roger Merry Mini Tournament
• He was coaching Southampton Ladies when I first met him in 1991
• In 2003-04 Roger coached Southampton Ladies 1st xi to National League
• In 2006 he coached the South Ladies O45 in the first Regional Masters tournament and has continued coaching South Teams through until this June winning numerous tournaments
• In 2007 he took on coaching of England Masters Ladies O45 team and successfully won the Home International Championships over the next few years
• In 2012 he coached England Masters Ladies O50s to win the World Cup in Canterbury
• In 2014 he coached England Masters Ladies O55s to World Cup in Rotterdam
• In 2016 he coached via internet England O55s to win World Cup in Australia
• In June 2016 his last coaching assessment in Sheffield he coached the South Ladies O55s to win the Regional Tournament
• In September 2016 Alex Danson brought her Gold Medal from the Rio Olympics to show Roger and told him how he had inspired her as a youngster with his enthusiasm for the Sport
I expect I have left a lot out but this is just a short synopsis of his career
Sue