Wilmslow Hockey Club
Encyclopedia
Wilmslow Men's Hockey Club, a hockey
club in Wilmslow
, Cheshire
, England
, was founded in 1896/97 as one of the very early member clubs of the Cheshire County Hockey Association. Little is known of its early history but a team photo dating to 1899 is believed to have been taken on the Rectory Field. There was, however, no continuity of existence during the war years.
The Club's first full season as Wilmslow Men's HC was in 1957/8, playing in royal blue and white halved shirts.
In 1964, at the Annual general meeting
certain members, fuelled by drink, decided the club strip was boring and clashed too often. "Why don't we wear those luminous orange motorway shirts then we'll never clash with anyone?" one said. The following was greeted with hysterical laughter after which the evening degenerated further. The following day it dawned on the secretary that he had to go and organize two sets of bright orange shirts.
After playing on the Rectory Field (before the construction of Wilmslow Leisure Centre) the Club moved to its new home at Oakwood Farm, Styal
, with three grass pitches and a purpose-built clubhouse in 1980. In 2004 the Club built its own all weather 'astro turf' pitch on the Oakwood Farm site.
Although the men's section has had only occasional flirtations with glory, the Club has been responsible for grooming a large number of players who have gone on to play at the highest levels. The Cheshire, Durham, Derbyshire and Warwickshire county teams have all benefited from players reared by WHC.
Hockey
Hockey is a family of sports in which two teams play against each other by trying to maneuver a ball or a puck into the opponent's goal using a hockey stick.-Etymology:...
club in Wilmslow
Wilmslow
-Economy:Wilmslow is well known, like Alderley Edge, for having many famous residents, notably footballers, stars of Coronation Street and rich North West businessmen. The town is part of the so-called Golden Triangle in the north west together with Alderley Edge and Prestbury...
, Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, was founded in 1896/97 as one of the very early member clubs of the Cheshire County Hockey Association. Little is known of its early history but a team photo dating to 1899 is believed to have been taken on the Rectory Field. There was, however, no continuity of existence during the war years.
History
The Rev D. M. Brookes restarted the club in 1947/8 with a Parish Church Youth Club team. This team played in the local Youth Clubs Mixed Hockey League.The Club's first full season as Wilmslow Men's HC was in 1957/8, playing in royal blue and white halved shirts.
In 1964, at the Annual general meeting
Annual general meeting
An annual general meeting is a meeting that official bodies, and associations involving the public , are often required by law to hold...
certain members, fuelled by drink, decided the club strip was boring and clashed too often. "Why don't we wear those luminous orange motorway shirts then we'll never clash with anyone?" one said. The following was greeted with hysterical laughter after which the evening degenerated further. The following day it dawned on the secretary that he had to go and organize two sets of bright orange shirts.
After playing on the Rectory Field (before the construction of Wilmslow Leisure Centre) the Club moved to its new home at Oakwood Farm, Styal
Styal
Styal is a village in Cheshire East, England. It is on the River Bollin, near to the town of Wilmslow.Styal is a commuter village, with access to Manchester. The village is dominated by Quarry Bank Mill and much of its housing is the mill's estate. The mill and the surrounding country park are...
, with three grass pitches and a purpose-built clubhouse in 1980. In 2004 the Club built its own all weather 'astro turf' pitch on the Oakwood Farm site.
Although the men's section has had only occasional flirtations with glory, the Club has been responsible for grooming a large number of players who have gone on to play at the highest levels. The Cheshire, Durham, Derbyshire and Warwickshire county teams have all benefited from players reared by WHC.