The Invicta Dynamos have announced the appointment of Anthony Leone to the role of player / coach for the upcoming campaign with the forward’s tenure beginning immediately to allow him to lead preparations for 2019/20.

36 year old Anthony Leone is no stranger to the Invicta Dynamos having iced for the team for eight seasons over three separate stints. His relationship with the club began in 2006 when he arrived in Gillingham from the Chelmsford Chieftains and, after an initial four year stay between 2006 and 2010 and another three season spell in Kent between 2012 and 2015, he was back with the side for 2018/19.

Leone has made 346 appearances for the Dynamos – the fourth highest total in the club’s 22 year history – and in that time he has tallied 140 goals, 137 assists and so 277 points. He will be hoping to add to that tally further still however he will now do so with the added responsibility provided by the role of player / coach.

Speaking on his new position, Anthony Leone said, “I feel very honoured to be taking up the role of player / coach. The Dynamos are a great hockey club with a fantastic fanbase. The club has been very well run and has treated me excellently from my early days here in 2006 right up to the end of the season just gone.”

“I took the role because I have a great passion for the team and because I want to give something back to the fans and the organisation as a whole. I can’t wait to get started.”

Player / coach Leone then spoke about what he hopes to bring to hockey in Gillingham when he said, “I’m looking to implement a fast and aggressive style of play with a mix of both young and experienced players that never give up.”

“My aim is to create a professional environment and bring the best out of all the squad, especially those with less experience.”

“I really want to bring through a good, young and local core of players that will stay with the club for years to come and believe we have the potential to do that”.

Lastly the new player / coach stated his ambitions when he added, “The Dynamos are a club used to winning trophies and I will be doing everything in my power to make that happen again. I admit to being slightly nervous taking up the role, as I have big shoes to fill following on from Kevin Parrish who was hugely successful, but I’m excited about the new challenge and what we can achieve.”

“I want to win as much as possible and fill this rink up with fans again. The supporters of this club have always been incredible and I’d just ask them to get behind me and the rest of the boys next season, sing loud and proud and help us put this team back where it belongs”.

Speaking on the appointment of Anthony Leone, joint club owner Kevin Parrish said, “You will not be able to find a person more passionate about the team than Anthony and therefore we’ve no doubt the future of the side is in great hands.”

“Anthony has been around the game for two decades and experienced success wherever he has been. He has been a captain for the Dynamos, for Chelmsford and for Romford and that speaks volumes for the leadership qualities he will bring to the role.”

“He is well respected by everyone else in the dressing room and will provide the drive and enthusiasm to help make us successful. Anthony is looking forward to getting started and we are equally excited to see him take this next step in his hockey career”.