Mansfield hockey president Pete is now a world champion

The championship, held in Barcelona in temperatures of over 27 degrees Celsius, saw 25 countries field 77 teams and participate in 277 matches, with over 1,500 players.

England played six games in nine days to be crowned World Champions, which follows their impressive European Championship crown in 2017.

Following group wins tough competition against Wales, Japan, Belgium and the Netherlands to lead the group England faced another stern test in the semi-final facing Germany.

This was to prove a great confidence boosting victory with an 8-3 win to set up a final against a strong Australian side.

The final provided drama throughout with England coming back from 2-1 down with just six minutes to play to take the game into a dramatic shoot-out.

At the end of the allocated five penalties each England were triumphant with a 2-0 scoreline.

Denley, who started playing hockey in 1961 at school and worked at Newstead colliery until its closure in 1987, has played for Mansfield Hockey Club since 1974 and also plays for Midlands, as well as Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

Speaking of his victory he said: “Hockey is a fantastic sport for all ages and a great way for everyone to get active.

“We are always open to new or returning players, and with the Women’s World Cup about to start in London what better time for someone to take up this great sport?”

Mansfield Hockey Club for men, and Ashfield Aztecs Hockey Club for ladies, train during the winter season on Wednesday nights from September to March at Kirkby-in-Ashfield.

Training is open to everyone and is free to attend, regardless of whether you have played before or not.