IT isn’t quite Alexander the Great crying salt tears at 33 years of age because he had no worlds left to conquer – thank the loquacious Sid Waddell for that gem – but Alan Forsyth isn’t far off a similar scenario in his own particular fiefdom.
At 27, the Paisley-born forward has dominated English hockey for the last few years; top scorer in the league for the past four seasons, player of the year, and one of only two Scots currently in the British squad navigating their way through the inaugural FIH Pro League campaign. Next up is New Zealand at home next Sunday.
There is no hesitation, though, when asked what itch he is yet to scratch.
“To go to the Olympics. That’s it.”
Too young for London 2012 and a shock omission from the British squad that went to Rio de Janeiro in 2016, Forsyth hopes it will be third time lucky as Tokyo 2020 gets ever closer.
“That’s been my main goal ever since I was 16,” he said. “And it’s not changed throughout my career. I’ve not done it yet but there’s another chance coming up and I really hope I can get there this time. I want to qualify and then hopefully win a medal when we’re there. That’s the dream at least.”
The Olympic qualification process is a complicated one but effectively there are two pathways. Either they win the European Championships in August to claim an automatic berth, or they come through a two-legged play-off later in the year.
To qualify as one of the 14 teams involved in the play-offs, Forsyth’s squad must either finish in the top four of the Pro League (they are currently just outside that with their final game still to play) or via their world ranking.
To confuse matters further, the British team resorts to the individual home nations for both the Euros and the world rankings. It presents a scenario where England could claim an Olympic place for Britain by being crowned kings of Europe while Forsyth is in opposition representing Scotland.
“When it’s England who are playing I do the same training as the rest of the squad but obviously I’m not then considered for selection,” he said. “But when it comes to the GB team, I don’t feel it’s any harder for me than it is for any of the other guys.
“I’m one of only two Scots in the squad at the moment – Chris Grassick has just returned from injury – so I just have to make sure I take every opportunity I get.
“I don’t see it as me trying to displace someone who’s in the England team. If the coach Danny Kerry thinks you’re performing he’ll select you regardless of where you come from.
“I know talking to people in Europe they can’t understand how we can play for two teams but I’ve given up trying to explain it. It’s too complicated. And I can see from their perspective why it must seem a bit weird.”
The first edition of the Pro League has proved popular among the players, pitting the world’s best against each other on a regular basis.
“You don’t get many tournaments playing for GB,” Forsyth. “We’re a year out from the Olympics so it’s been good for testing ourselves against some of the best teams in the world. It’s a new tournament and you want to win it in its own right, no matter what else that comes with it.”
Forsyth has so far resisted the lure of playing professionally abroad while he is part of the GB set-up. But with brother David turning out for Qui Vive in the Netherlands it remains a future possibility.
“That’s another opportunity that’s still there,” he said. “I’ve had teams asking me to go out but I’ve got a job to do here first. After that I’ll evaluate where I see my future.”
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