Fan's Corner

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Ken Banks - An original Shamrock
March 2011

The Victoria Shamrocks are saddened by the passing of one of our very first players, Ken Banks (1925 - 2010).  To celebrate his life and his lacrosse past his family has generously donated some of his most treasured possessions.    Pictured in this 1943 Juvenile ‘A' Owls Drug Lacrosse Championship photo
Back Row, left to right:
Len Scott, Larry Booth, "Lum" Lomas, Sid Anderson (coach), Ken Banks, Angus Stewart, Bob Long

Front Row, left to right:
Gordie Hunter, George Winters, Bob Aitken, Harold Yardley, Ralph Anderson, and Bob McKay

The Family donated an original newspaper clipping (date unknown 1940's) reviewing the game between the Jokers and Foul Bay.

It states
.....Kenny Banks of the Jokers was the hero of the game. He broke loose from check and blasted a shot past Alan Thompson in goal to break a 6 to 6 tie at the five minute mark of the final period.

.....Banks also scored the last goal of the game when he picked up a loose ball on the boards at his own blue line and shuffled past defenceman Art Green of Foul Bay and let go with a waist high shot that Thompson never saw.

.....Banks completed the scoring for the night and the winners held on to the ball for practically the remaining five minutes of play.

Also donated were two vintage team sweaters, one original "Jokers", a very special #19 Victoria Shamrocks sweater from 1950 and 3 original lacrosse sticks dating back to the early 1940's.

The Victoria Sharmocks family are honoured to accept this donation and will proudly display Ken's incredible history in our trophy case at the Bear Mountain Arena opening night. Be sure to drop by!

 Mike Deighton (1959 - 2011)

It is a sad day for the lacrosse community.
We have lost a dear friend and devoted fan of the sport of lacrosse, Mike Deighton. Mike was a long time supporter of the Victoria Shamrock organization, both Senior and Junior, the NLL and field lacrosse. He was suddenly taken from us on Sunday night. Mike was a follower of the Shamrocks from the mid -1970’s. Some of his favourite players were Tommy Marecheck, Bill Munroe, Mike Game, Fred Jenner, Rick Brown, Gary Gait, Paul Gait, Walt Christianson, Darren Reisig, Grant Hamilton, Rob Desormeaux and Dan Dawson.

Mike was known to go out “for 10 minutes”, and as you can imagine, was much longer than that! Apparently, Mike would always find a way to run into Gamer somewhere, which seemed to cause some distraction and, consequently his late return from his errands! The family joke became “oh did you run into Gamer again!” Lacrosse seemed to be more important!

Mike was always a huge fan of motorsports racing, and could be found often babbling the stats for Nascar, or just hanging out at Western Speedway watching the many classes of racing. Mike was a big fan and supporter of Roy, Robbie and Michael Haslam with the International Pro Stock series, the Late Model Sportsman, IMCA modified series and the stock car classes.

Later years found Mike involved in figure skating and fastball with his daughter Jacqui, or at the lacrosse box coaching his son Tyler’s way in the ranks of the Saanich Lacrosse Association.

Mike was 51 years old, born on October 30, 1959. He is survived by wife Nikki, daughter Jacqui and son Tyler, and many loving family members and fans of sports from all areas and arenas. He will be missed greatly. Sports in Victoria has lost one of its biggest fans ever. We’ll miss you, Mike.

Fan's Corner