History of South Nottingham Hockey Club
Introduction
This article has been put together by Lynne Morgan from two sources - an article which appeared in the Nottingham Observer in Jan 1958 and the potted history of the Club written by Life Vice President Dudley Walker.
We would love to expand this section and record a comprehensive history of the Club, particularly the more recent decades.. If you have any further history/memories – please email Lynne
See the archive photos for the visual memories. Again, if you have photos we would love to receive copies via email or alternatively send them to Lynne at 26 Smalls Croft, Woodborough, Nottingham NG14 6EY. They will be scanned and then safely returned.
History of South Nottingham Hockey Club
SNHC was formed during the Summer of 1907 by members of the Notts Grosvenor Hockey Club. Provisional arrangements were made to share with the YMCA their ground at Trent Bridge, now the site of County Hall. The very first game was played there on 28th September 1907.
In the years before the First World War (1914 - 18) only one men’s team was fielded, but by 1922/3 the Club had moved to new facilities at Trent Lane, West Bridgford and a second men’s XI was formed. In 1924 SNHC secured a playing pitch at Radcliffe-on-Trent, but then moved again in 1928 when Nottingham Corporation made available new playing facilities at Highfields Sports Ground. The Club remained at Highfields for 30 years!!
When the Second World War started in 1939 the Club suspended its playing activities and those members who were either not in the forces or those on leave, were usually able to obtain a game with other Clubs of the County Association. Before the commencement of the season 1946/7, A S Groves, R B MacIntyre and a few of the old players met to gather the Club’s playing members and the uphill task of reforming the teams was successfully undertaken. In the first season only one XI could be fielded, but the following year the 2nds XI was reformed. Increasing membership led to a 3rd Mens XI being formed in 1956.
As part of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of 1958 the club joined forces with Beeston Hockey Club (who were also celebrating their Golden Jubilee). As a result of the hospitality of the University of Nottingham the clubs held a spectacular Dinner and Dance in the delightful Portland Building, merely a ‘roll in’ from their playing fields. Quote from 1958, “That two of the oldest Clubs in the County can indulge in such rivalry on the field of play yet associate themselves so closely in their social activities surely bodes well for the future of hockey in Nottinghamshire.”
Throughout the post-war period the Club owed much to its Patron W Clayton, F W Truman, the President, J H C Godfrey the Match Secretary and two energetic Captains, R B MacIntyre and B Notley.
Negotiations with the County Cricket Club saw the Club move to Trent Bridge in 1961. This arrangement was discontinued in 1965 and the club moved to a new ground on Holme Road, Radcliffe-on-Trent. In 1968 the Club had the opportunity to move its base to Radcliffe-on-Trent Cricket ground where it went on to share facilities with the local cricket club for more than a decade. By the early eighties the Club, now very well established, was seeking to expand. In 1983 the Club moved to Caythorpe Cricket Club, where space allowed the Club to utilise four grass pitches which in turn led to the creation of a mens 5th team and a regular mixed Sunday playing side Will Scarlets. Our Clubhouse remains at Caythorpe to this day.
Individual honours
By 1958 23 members had represented the County and 13 had been awarded County Badges for playing in more than 20 County matches. Included were W Clayton, M M Lyon, G T H Smith and B Notley the 1st XI Captain and in 1958 H K Gibson and G T H Smith were selected to represent the Midlands.
The Club has a proud record of well known names in hockey who have served as officers of the Club:
W Clayton. President 1926 - 1951 and Patron from 1951 -
L J Atkins. Treasurer 1921 - 1954
F W Trueman. President 1951 - 1959
B Notley. Fixtures Secretary 1951 - 1962
J M C Godfrey. Match Secretary 1947 - 1961
Eight members of the Club have served as President of the Notts County Hockey Association: W. Clayton, J G McMeeking, H KGibson, C A Mather, F W Truman, J H C Godfrey, J L Crockford and S A Baylis. W Clayton, Club Patron, also held office as President of the Midland Counties’ Hockey Association and served on the Hockey Association Council.
Many players and ex-players have given their services to the game as umpires. Club members, W. Clayton and H K Gibson proudly attained international umpire status and officiated at the Wales v Ireland match in 1933.
More recent history
In more recent times Martin Gilbody was a member of the club from 1969 - 1995. He took over the 1st team captaincy from Chris Wheatcroft in 1971 and captained the side for over 12 years. He represented the Club at County level for over 20 years with over 169 County appearances. He played for the Midlands and was selected for the Welsh squad during which time he took part in 3 European Nations finals, 2 World Cup qualifying tournaments and attended the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur. He went on to manage the Wales U21, Senior and Cannock HC National league squads.
Peter Cranswick was the Club’s Fixtures Secretary for over 25 years (1969 – 1995) He then took up the role of Secretary of the Midlands Regional Hockey Association. 15 years on Peter continues to perform this great service to hockey in the Midlands.
Whilst the Club has always maintained a prominent position in Midlands and County (outdoor) hockey, we were also very successful in indoor hockey being Midland Indoor Club Champions in 1978, 1979,1981, 1982 and 1983. In 1981 the indoor squad reached the televised semi-finals of the National Indoor Competition which were played at Crystal Palace. They regularly entertained in the East Midlands League at the former John Player Sports Hall (David Lloyd Leisure Centre was built on this site at Aspley).
With the advent of Astroturf pitches, hockey changed very rapidly in terms of skills, tactics and the instigation of league hockey. Although popular, the new surface was socially debilitating with games being played consecutively rather than concurrent. It was not long before longstanding clubs in the locality started to fold (eg Notts Gregory and Derby). South Nottingham with its depth and quality of membership dug in deep to protect its history even when eight members of the first team left at the end of one season to play elsewhere.
Spearheaded by the then Club Chairman, Peter Binder, the Club recognised the need to develop a long term sustainable development plan. A Junior training programme was launched which has now developed into a superb Junior Academy training over 60 boys and girls on Sunday mornings at Bingham. The rewards are being reaped with home grown talent representing the Club at all levels.
The 1993/4 season saw the Club successfully launch its Ladies section. Fifteen years later the Club has 2 teams playing successfully in the Notts Womens Hockey League. The Ladies 1st team were Champions of the Notts Womens Hockey League Div 1 league in 2008/9 and are promoted to the Premier Division for 2009/10.
In the last 2 years - the Men's 1st X1 has been extremely successful in England Hockey's National Cup competitions. In 2007/8 they reached the Finals of the EH Vase, losing 4:3 to UCL Academicals. Last year, having been promoted back to the Notts Prem Division they entered the EH Trophy knock out competition and reached the quarter finals before losing out to Henley on penalty flicks.