A HOCKEY player who hails from Bowdon is approaching his 50th England cap.

Alastair Brogdon, 25, has been part of the national squad for the past five years and only narrowly missed out on representing Team GB at the London Olympics.

Now following recent England successes including qualification for next year’s World Cup he has high hopes going into the Now Pensions Nations Cup against the Netherlands in Wakefield at the start of next month.

Despite the Dutch team’s formidable international reputation, they are ranked only one place above England, who have already beaten them once in training games this season.

“It’s going to be a really big test for us”,Brogdon said.

“It’s a tough one for us but it’s these games that we need before the Europeans later this year.”

The striker, who lists his strengths as his speed and link-up play, will play his 50th game in an England shirt next week at the Hamburg Masters.

But the roots of his success can be traced back to Bowdon Hockey Club, where he first picked up a stick at the age of five.

Brogdon said: “Bowdon is such a good family club- I owe so much to them for my development.”

His next major goal is to reach the Rio Olympics in 2016, but in the short term he wants his team to maintain their successful streak in upcoming tournaments.

England will play in the Now Pensions Nations Cup in Wakefield from August 1-4.

For tickets and more information go to englandhockey.co.uk/nationscup.