Lennon takes the cup as captain.

I was absolutely made up! To be able to lift a trophy on behalf of the club I grew up watching is something else. It had always been an ambition of mine to be captain and I was fortunate that my time came during a successful season. That win on the Isle of Wight to secure the title was really special and a memory that will live with me forever.

You have successfully retained the captaincy for another year. What do you think you personally bring to the role and do you think your experiences as captain in 2009/10 will help you in 2010/11?

I’d like to think that I am the type of captain that leads by example whether it I’m on or off the ice. Last season I personally learnt most from our disappointment of not reaching the play-off finals. This year it will be a matter of using that experience and adapting our approach to go that step further.

What did you make of your own performances in 2009/10 and what expectations do you have of yourself ahead of the new campaign?

In all honesty I was a little disappointed with my personal contribution. Off the back of a productive season I think I maybe put to much pressure on myself to put up good numbers and lost focus on the basics of my game. Kev (Parrish) has never signed me for my goal scoring prowess! This year I hope you will see me back to my usual self, covering as much ice as possible, forcing errors and keeping the opposition out of our goal. What I can guarantee is that my commitment will never wane and I will continue to give my all for the cause.

There have been a number of changes to the squad since last season. Does it make your role as captain more difficult given the quantity of new faces now at the club?

I don’t think I will change too much. We had a few older guys with plenty of experience on the team last season and they knew what was required of them so they didn’t need to be told week in week out. This year may be a little different as the age of the squad has lowered considerably and we have so many new players. The most important thing is that I help all the new faces settle in as soon as possible and get them to understand what this club is all about.

Karl Lennon pictured alongside Andy Smith and Anthony Leone who has departed from Romford.

No I didn’t think there would be so many changes but that happens in sport. We had an idea that some may move up to the EPL after a good season so fair play to them. I had a feeling Joe Johnston would head back to the Redskins now he has got a championship and we all new Elliot Andrews was retiring so there was a need to bring in some new blood. The biggest surprises for me personally were the guys like AJ Smith, Grant Baxter and Anthony Leone who had been with the team for a while. It will be odd lining up against them. That being said it is important to have a refresh every now and again. Kev has done a great job in pulling in some really talented youngsters and that will make for an exciting season.

Given the amount of players that did move on over the summer was there ever any doubt that you would remain with the Dynamos?

Not really no. I wouldn’t want to play for any other club. I came through the ranks here and this team means the world to me. The day I stop playing for Invicta is the day I stop playing.

Karl Lennon rallies the troops.

Well having the rivalry with Romford back on the schedule will be good. It will add another dimension to the year and there always used to be an intense atmosphere generated when the two sides met. I’m sure they have intentions of placing well and so they will be another challenger for our title. I can’t wait to play against ‘Korffy’ (Peter Korff) at Bristol, he was a great servant to this club and is a good mate so I’m sure he will get a good reception when he returns. Both the Pitbulls and Swindon are a bit of an unknown quantity for us but they have earned their spot in the league and we will not be taking them lightly.

So with the competition going up a level who do you expect to be tussling for the league title come the end of the season?

I said last year that teams with good home records would be there or thereabouts so it was no surprise to see Bracknell, Cardiff, Chelmsford and Wightlink place well. I think it will be much the same this year with Romford added to that list. With every passing season the quality of teams improves and so our game will have to be that much better this year if we want to retain our crown. It’s not like years gone by, there are no easy games at this level anymore and so we will have to bring our ‘A game’ every week.

And first up on home ice is the Milton Keynes Thunder. What sort of challenge do you expect from the Thunder this time around?

They have added a number of players with EPL experience this summer and so that will put them in a better position to be more competitive this year. MK are always a tricky opponent to face and Sunday will be no different. They have a great goalie in Mark Woolf and he generally makes it difficult for us. Add to that Ross Bowers, Simon Howard, Jamie Randall and Jamie Line and we will have our work cut out for us come the weekend. However we go in to every game with the belief we will win – there’s no point in showing up otherwise and so I will be confident of getting our first home victory of the season on Sunday.

Karl Lennon with wife Emma

Hockey is a big commitment. We train twice a week and play most weekends so when the summer comes it’s nice to have a break. I try and spend time with family, get out to see my Mum and Dad in Italy and Emma (my wife) has me doing plenty of DIY around the house! I do though get the chance to play a bit of football which I love. That being said, once you get those first couple of practices during pre-season out the way you just can’t wait to get back into the swing of things.

And whilst hockey was away in the summer the rink has undergone some major changes. What difference does that make to you as a player here?

My mum worked in the rink for quite some time and Ant (Anthony Lennon) and I spent a lot of time here as kids. We always had ideas of how things could be improved and so it is great that we now have new owners that are implementing these changes. As a player you can already see the improvement in the ice alone which makes a massive difference for us. I love this rink, it has a character about it that not all rinks have. There is nothing like the atmosphere here on a Sunday night so with that and all the other changes it bodes well for the new season.

Finally, with a competitive season ahead, what role do you think the fans can play in bringing more success back to Gillingham?

Our fans are really second to none. I can’t stress the importance of the atmosphere they generate both home and away. It provides us with great encouragement and the desire to want to do that much better. You can often see how off putting for the opposition it can be and it always gives us that extra advantage. I’m sure we will see the same and more this season! Let’s go Dynamos, let’s go!

Read an exclusive interview with Head Coach Kevin Parrish as he previews the 2010/11 season in this week’s match day programme.

In the opening frame it was the home side that swept their way to an early lead as first Valko fired in to put the Redskins one up on the powerplay before Michael Ranby doubled their tally still on the man advantage. The Dynamos hit back instantly though with a shorthanded strike from Callum Fowler and the young forward was on hand to tie it up at 2-2 midway through the frame. In the second period the visitors then took the lead as Scott Beeson claimed a debut goal but any celebrations were short lived with Peter Molnar quickly putting the Redskins back on even terms before Liam Rasmussen put the home side 4-3 up. Andy Smith’s strike then made it 4-4 but the Dynamos would be forced to come from behind yet again as Joe Johnston found the net near the end of the period. It would still be all square by the break though as Smith claimed his second of the night to send the teams in at 5-5. In the final frame the visitors looked to be on the way to victory as Liam Chong demonstrated his eye for goal but the momentum swiftly changed sides courtesy of a Casimir Madren-Britton equaliser soon after. Chong then had a penalty shot saved by Shane Kemp and when Liam Rasmussen netted another for the Redskins it seemed the two points would be staying in South London. A late equaliser bundled in by defenceman Tim Smith however tied the game at 7-7 and ensured the Dynamos took a point from their first outing of the season.

So it was a tough opening day for the team but in a frantic end-to-end game the final result of honours even seemed justified. From here the Dynamos now prepare for their first home tie of the season as the Milton Keynes Thunder visit the Silver Blades Ice Rink Gillingham on Sunday 12th September with faceoff at 5.15pm.

Click here to read the full match report.

Defenceman Ryan Giles first represented the Dynamos in the 2006/07 season, having spent a period as a junior at the club, and his swift development and year on year improvement saw him quickly become a key figure back on the blue line. His whole hearted displays made him popular with the support and in just his second year on the roster he featured 48 times whilst chipping in with 17 points in the process. Giles would remain with the Dynamos in 2008/09, this time taking 15 points from 40 appearances, but by 2009/10 he opted to try his hand in the EPL with the Romford Raiders. His time in Essex would be limited however, with travel difficulties cutting his EPL venture short, but he was soon back in Gillingham and spent the remainder of the campaign icing for Dynamos and helping the club retain the ENIHL Southern Championship. Regrettably, close to the end of the season, Giles then suffered a serious leg injury in a major car accident which threatened to halt his time in the sport but now the young defenceman will be back with the Dynamos for 2010/11.

Speaking on the return of Ryan Giles Head Coach Kevin Parrish said, “Ryan had a horrendous accident at the end of last season and he was definitely missed come the playoffs but now he has been cleared to play again by his surgeon and he has already been out on the ice during preseason. It’s fair to say he started off a little gingerly on his skates but as the weeks have gone by he’s showing more and more signs of getting back to his normal self”. And it’s his normal self the coach is eventually hoping to see once again as he added, “We all know what Ryan is capable of when he’s at his best. He’s a first rate defenceman with a physical presence, is unafraid of putting his body on the line for the team and will always defend his teammates when necessary. It might take a little while for him to get there, and he will only take part in games when both he and I feel he is back to 100%, but I’m positive it won’t take too long and his inclusion on the roster is only a positive factor for the Dynamos”.

Meanwhile fellow defenceman Zach Sullivan is another who spent time with the club as a junior before moving on to Swindon and, more recently, Guildford. The young skater, who is also an avid player of roller hockey, iced once for the Dynamos aged just 14 in the 2006/07 season but now rejoins the team on a two way contract with Guildford. Talking on his latest arrival Head Coach Kevin Parrish said, “Zach has signed on a two way with the Guildford under 18s and I have no doubt he can fit in at this level. He trained with us at the end of last season and I was very impressed with his all round play”. The coach then added, “Despite being a young lad Zach seems more than capable of playing in our league. He skates well, is very calm on the puck and his distribution is first class. He might be the youngest on the roster this season but his play certainly doesn’t show that”.

Finally Kevin Parrish revealed that his hunt for a non-EIHA trained skater was still ongoing but that he hoped to have a player signed within the next week. Parrish said, “The search for an ‘import’ continues but I am keen not to make any rash moves on what is a very important decision. Given how competitive the league is this time around we need to sign the right person for the team instead of just filling a vacant jersey”. The coach did however reveal he hoped his hunt would soon by over by adding, “At the moment I’m looking at getting a deal done in time for the visit of the Milton Keynes Thunder on Sunday 12th September, assuming all goes to plan”.

To book your place or for any enquiries please contact Liz Halford by phone on 07729 828827 or by email at Elizabeth-Halford@hotmail.co.uk as soon as possible.

Alternatively please contact Jackie Mason by phone on 07710 742427 or by email at JckMs9@aol.com.

The coach will leave the Ice Bowl at 3.30pm on the day of the fixture.

There are numerous categories for the 2010 Medway Sports Awards including:

Sportsperson of the Year
Junior Sportsperson of the Year
Lifetime Contribution
Coach of the Year
Club of the Year
Team of the Year
Junior Club of the Year
Junior Team of the Year
Unsung Hero

You can submit your nominations using the entry form printed in the Medway Messenger newspaper or alternatively the form and criteria information is also available online (click to visit).

The Invicta Dynamos have a history of success at the Medway Sports Awards starting in 2006 as Head Coach Kevin Parrish took the ‘Coach of the Year Award’ having led his side to the Grand Slam with ENIHL Southern, National, Playoff and Cup triumphs. The following year Parrish was then recognised again with a Bronze Award in the same category before the club as a whole took ‘Junior Club of the Year Award’ having become the first Ice Hockey Organisation in the country to achieve ClubMark status. Finally, at the 2009 ceremony, it was the Invicta Dynamites that stole the show as the under 14s side completed a remarkable treble winning season. Now you can once again help both the club and the sport achieve countywide recognition by submitting your nominations for the 2010 event.

Submit your nominations online by visiting: http://www.medway.gov.uk/sportsawards

Whilst the jerseys for the 2009/10 campaign were intended to last for two years the club has changed their kit manufacturer and so were unable to keep the same design. Earlier than anticipated then, we are able to reveal a new strip that will be worn by the 2010/11 Invicta Dynamos:

Home Kit

A concept of the Invicta Dynamos Home Kit 2010/11

Away Kit

A concept of the Invicta Dynamos Away Kit 2010/11

Andy Smith originally joined the Invicta Dynamos at the start of the 2004/05 season having impressed Head Coach Kevin Parrish with his performances for both the Guildford under 19s and the national side at junior level and he was soon making an impact in Gillingham with 62 goals in his debut campaign. The following year his 88 strikes and 50 assists then saw him play a pivotal role as the team swept their way to Grand Slam success securing the ENIHL Southern and National Titles, the ENIHL Playoff Title and the ENIHL Cup. During the next season Smith iced just 15 times for the Dynamos but his abilities were never in question as the lively forward still tallied 59 points ensuring himself a return for 2007/08. Another 66 goals and 46 assists saw him prove yet again that he was amongst the top performers in the division and, after a belated return the following season, his 58 points from just 24 outings put him amongst the top scorers once more. In 2009/10 Andy Smith then exhibited his best form to date as, wearing the ‘A’ of an alternate captain, he racked up a phenomenal 101 points to take his total tally at the club to 302 goals and 267 assists – giving him an emphatic 569 points to his name since his arrival just six years earlier. Now though the high scoring forward will be hoping to add to that already impressive record when the new campaign gets underway on Sunday 5th September.

Speaking on the re-signing of his talisman Invicta Dynamos Head Coach Kevin Parrish revealed he was delighted to have Andy Smith on his roster for another term suggesting the forward’s talents were beyond question. Parrish said, “Andy’s return is a massive coup for the club and we are very pleased he will be lining up with us in Gillingham during the new season. Time and time again he has proved he is the best British player in the league and his record at the Dynamos since joining in 2004 speaks for itself”. The coach then commented on Smith’s excellent 2009/10 performances adding, “Andy was nothing short of exceptional last season and his 101 points from a year when the league was more competitive than it has ever been before is phenomenal. His attitude was spot on, his performances were at the highest level and he was a massive part of the team as his ‘Players’ Player of the Year Award’ at the post-season presentations demonstrated”. Finally Parrish then highlighted Smith’s connection with the club saying, “Andy is undoubtedly one of the most skilful at this level but on top of that he loves playing his hockey for the Dynamos. He has a strong relationship with the fans, works tirelessly and, as a local lad, really battles for the shirt and we look forward to more of the same in 2010/11”.

Andy Smith is currently the club’s second all time highest point scorer, just 36 behind current leader Elliot Andrews having played some 164 fewer games and, having passed the 500 mark in 2009/10, is closing in on 600 points with just 31 goals or assists between him and another extraordinary landmark.

The Under 10s, 12s and 14s have been very fortunate to receive sponsorship from LMG (Line
Management Group), Boden Sheet Metal, Doosan Power Systems and Kent Police. This has provided the teams with new home and away kits, helmets, team jackets and player t-shirts which have all been printed by Invicta Dynamos merchandise supplier, Recognition Express.

The club would like to thank all of their new sponsors in providing the junior teams with valuable assistance in enabling them to continue growing and building on successes they have enjoyed in recent seasons.

If anyone is interested in playing or providing further assistance to the Junior Dynamos, then please contact Rob Dell.

New shirts for the Invicta Dynamos Juniors

New Sponsors:

LMG - LMG was established in 1986 and provides some of the leading companies in the UK with Cabling Infrastructure Managed Services that optimise infrastructure change. LMG serves multiple industries, among them Financial Services, Technology, Telecommunications and Media.

Find out more about LMG at www.linemanagement.co.uk.

Boden Sheet Metal – Boden Sheet Metal specialises in shaping metal and can supply goods to sketch or CAD file within 48 hours.

Find out more about Boden Sheet Metal at www.bodensheetmetal.co.uk.

Dooson Power Systems - Doosan Power Systems (DPS) is the lead company in a global group of four businesses which between them provide complete plant solutions to power utilities. They provide world-class boiler-turbine-generator solutions across the globe.

Find out more about Doosan Power Systems at www.doosonpowersystems.com.

Head Coach Kevin Parrish will have a new look Invicta Dynamos team at his disposal when the season gets underway in September having rung the changes following the 2009/10 campaign. Of the fifteen players to commit to the club to date, eleven are new to the roster for 2010/11 with Anthony Lennon, Tim Smith, Loyde Fuller and club captain Karl Lennon the only returnees to be announced so far. Now you have the opportunity to meet the team tasked with defending the ENIHL Southern Championship secured last term at the event on Sunday 22nd August. Following the on ice training session Head Coach Kevin Parrish will individually introduce each player to the supporters before finally inviting questions for a Q&A session.

The Invicta Dynamos hope to welcome as many fans as possible to the evening to make both the new and old Dynamos’ players feel a part of this much changed side. The club has always enjoyed a strong relationship with the supporters and we hope to see you at the Silver Blades Ice Rink Gillingham as we prepare for the upcoming campaign.

Meet the Players – Sunday 22nd August – 4.00pm – Silver Blades Ice Rink Gillingham

Andy Moffat spent the early part of his career north of the border with the Fife Flyers in the British National League and he showed great potential from the off leading to him being selected for Team Great Britain at the World Junior Championships aged 18. He was then soon plying his trade in England, in the EPL, as the Chelmsford Chieftains secured his signature in 2000/01 before Moffat switched to the Isle of Wight the following year. After a term as the number one with the Wightlink Raiders the shot stopper then opted to return back to Essex as he lined up once more for the Chieftains in 2003/04. In 2004/05 Moffat would remain in Essex, but this time would pull on the shirt of the Romford Raiders, and his impressive save percentage of 90.29% from 31 appearances helped steer the side to fourth in the league and success in the third placed post season playoffs. The following campaign he had a brief stint in the Northern League with the Dundee Stars but spent the majority of the year back with the Raiders before finally securing a return to Chelmsford for the start of 2006/07. Moffat settled with the Chieftains, spending two successive seasons with the side, before taking a year out in 2008/09, but he would be back in action for the Essex team playing the early part of the 2009/10 at the Riverside. Now though the lively netminder joins the ranks in Gillingham and is set to make is first appearance for the Dynamos when the new season gets underway in September.

Speaking on his latest signing Head Coach Kevin Parrish revealed he was pleased to have filled the vacant netminder spot with an experienced shot stopper and described his thoughts behind the capture. Parrish said, “I am very happy to have Andy joining us in Gillingham as he has proven in previous seasons he has it in him to be one of the best goalies in the league and I’m sure he’ll be in top form for us this campaign. His signing was not a rush decision by any means and I have spoken to him on numerous occasions, including a meeting at the rink on Monday, regarding what is expected from the team in 2010/11”. Parrish then went on to praise the attitude of is new netminder adding, “Andy has been very positive that the new season is his chance to prove to both hockey fans and himself that, once again, he is one of the best in this league and, with this approach, I have no doubt we will see the very best of him here”.

Andy Moffat is the club’s fifteenth signing of the summer and is set to battle it out with fellow netminder Andrew Dickson for the Invicta Dynamos number one spot come September.