Family is coming first for golden boy Russell

Former Olympic record breaker Russell Garcia is returning to Germany for family reasons.

He has resigned his position as assistant coach to the Great Britain men’s hockey team - a role he has held for three years - to move back to former club Grossflottbeker in Hamburg.

Having lived in Germany for a number of years, Portsmouth-born Garcia - who celebrates his 50th birthday later this month - has a German wife, Mona, and his two children were also born there.

Great Britain Hockey Performance Director Ed Barney said: ‘We are incredibly sad to see Russell go.

‘He has brought a wealth of experience, coaching acumen, personality and vibrancy not only to the senior men’s programme, but also to the performance department and to the whole of the organisation.

‘It has been a delight to have Russell in the UK and we recognised from the outset what a significant decision it was for he and his family to relocate to Bisham.

‘However, it’s clear that returning to Germany is the right decision for the Garcia family as they consider ties and schooling.’

Garcia said: ‘I would like to say a massive thanks to the organisation for giving me the opportunity to share in so many people’s dreams.

‘Working with the team over the last three years has been an absolute honour.

‘The experiences and relationships I’ve made during this period I will cherish forever.

‘To my ‘Band Of Brothers,’ hold true to your values. And remember you are all Time-Travellers. Make the future worth playing for.’

Garcia became Britain's youngest ever Olympic champion in any sport when he was part of the victorious Great Britain men’s squad in Seoul in 1988 at the age of just 18.

The one-time Portsmouth College of Art student was playing for Havant when he was called up for training with the British squad in 1987.

He was told on his 18th birthday that he had been selected for the Seoul Olympics.

He appeared in three group matches at Seoul but did not play in the semi-final or final.

He also appeared in the Barcelona Olympics four years later while still at Havant.

Since Garcia became assistant coach, England's men finished third at both the EuroHockey Championships and Commonwealth Games, while Great Britain successfully qualified for the Tokyo Olympics and finished in the top four in the first ever FIH Hockey Pro League.

Have you got a sports story for The News? If so, email words and pictures (jpeg imahes only) to sport@ thenews.co.uk. Archive team pictures from the 70s and 80s especially welcome. Alternatively, contact head of community sport Simon Carter on 02392 622141.