1885 -The Beginning

1885 marked the start of what has become an established, respected and successful club. From its small beginnings, Hendon Hockey Club has grown and matured and is now pleased to celebrate its centenary season.

In the following pages an attempt has been made to trace the history of this famous club and to identify the major landmarks in its development.

Hendon Hockey Club is one of the oldest clubs in Middlesex. Although it did not affiliate to the Hockey Association until 1889/90, the first playing season was in the years 1885/86. Matches at this time were played on the ground which is now crossed by Brampton Grove. The fixture list, obviously limited, comprised of home and away fixtures with Willesden and Southgate. The original first team was captained by the late William Turner (afterwards Sir William).

As can be seen the playing dress of the 'originals' was by present standards unorthodox, deerstalkers and caps being an essential part of kit for some members. Others wore shoes and not boots. Most players wore shinguards in an attempt to combat the popular tactic of 'shinning'. The English-headed sticks used were unspliced and extremely long in the handle.

During the years following its foundation Hendon suffered many difficulties, the most serious of which was the loss of the playing ground. This resulted in the club being disbanded in 1892. Six years later the club was revived and reformed, a ground was was found off Parsons Street and Dr. Frank Andrew, an original member was elected Captain. The fixture card was not strong at this period - notable fixtures were to be against Southgate and St. Albans. The earliest match report in the Club's records is of a match between Hendon and Norwood in 1899 and as can be seen Hendon were the victorious team!

1899 - Match Report

Played at Hendon on January 20th. Result: Hendon 5 - 1 Norwood

The ground was very heavy and rather spoilt what was otherwise a most pleasant game. Norwood went off in good style, and for the first ten minutes more than held their own, but Hendon soon pulled themselves together and crossed over leading by 3 goals to 1. The second half was all in favour of the home team, who put on two more goals, but Norwood were dangerous on two occasions, but failed to score. Norwood's full-backs played well, as did also the goalkeeper.

HENDON - H. Langton, S. A. Noble, A. S. Baker, C. A. E. Colvin-Smith, F. Noble, G. Turner, E. Figgis, C. C. Rushton, F. W. Andrew, K. Stephens, and H. Abbot

NORWOOD - C. N. Paine, O. H. Powell, F. R. Wade, G. N. Monkhouse, C. A. Cutbill, P. G. Hook, R. im Thurn, A. Kennedy, F. W. Dalton, F. B. Galer, and Dr. Colvin-Smith.

1903 - Crisis

Hendon again suffered badly when a number of the 1st eleven players decided to leave the club for various reasons. F. H. Noble and later A. J. M Bacon were instrumental in the struggle to keep the club functioning financially and improving the standard of its playing members.

1909 - A. G. M. 29th September

'The accounts were adopted. A discussion followed as to ways and means of paying off the deficit of £5.5s.2d.'

A. J. M. Bacon, himself a 'Southcap', also succeeded in raising the standard of the fixture list, Teddington, Old Kingstonians, Tulse Hill, United Services and later Richmond were all added to the list of opponents. In this revival Hendon were able to field four teams. After his playing days A. J. M. Bacon became President of the Club.

1911 - A. G. M. 30th November

'Discussion followed on the advisability of having one or more smoking concerts (stag nights) during the season to meet extra expenses likely to be incurred by purchase of roller shoes for the horse and manuring the ground.'

The progress of the Club was halted in 1914 at the outbreak of hostilities when many fine players were lost. After the war Russell Elliott succeeded A. J. M. Bacon as Captain and the task of rebuilding was begun. New pitches were taken at North Ealing. However, these pitches proved unsuitable and after a few seasons a ground was rented in Hendon. These pitches also proved unsatisfactory and many of the first class fixtures were lost - even Southgate bade farewell in 1933!

1932/33 - Fixture List : Hendon Hockey Club Mens 1st XI

In 1933, a new ground was found at Mill Hill Cricket Club, Bunns Lane, and the Club was to experience one of the most successful and stable periods in its history. Thanks to the efforts of P. G. Watkinson as Captain, J. C. Shipman as Hon. Secretary and D. R. Lloyd as Hon. Treasurer, the Club again began to prosper. Membership increased rapidly until, by 1937, Hendon were able to regularly field six teams.

Lloyd worked hard to provide a stable financial base for the Club and enabled a useful sum to be set aside each year for improvements, examples of which were substantial extensions for changing facilities and the installation of a bar. At this time the Club vigorously supported the policy of encouraging and training young members. The wisdom of this was clearly seen in the strength of the lower elevens. In 1938 it was felt that matches should be organised for the juniors and fixtures were duly arranged, thereby creating a seventh eleven.

In the season of 1937/38 Hendon started running a Sunday and Touring side under the name of the Accidentals, which is still in existence today. This side was seen as an important advertising medium for the Club results appeared both in national and local papers. Games were played in a relaxed atmosphere but nevertheless high standard of hockey was maintained. The Accidentals were organised at first by the Hon. Secretary of the club and later by an Accidentals Secretary. Games were played at Southgate, Scorpions, Mohicans as well as further afield and 1949 saw their first tour to Worthing which still continues. It was seen as a great honour to play for the side and often they ran two elevens during the early years of their formation. It is obvious that at this time the Club was flourishing in all departments.

1937/38 - Fixture Card

'Matches scratched on Saturday mornings will be announced in the lunch time edition of the Evening News……. further discussion is often held at Jack Straws Castle, Hampstead Heath between 12.00 - 1.00p.m. Sunday mornings! It is hoped that all members of the Club will learn the rules of hockey available from…..'

In 1938 Hendon suffered a considerable setback with the death of F. C. Bromley. He had long been an inspiration to all at the Club, both as a player and also after he retired, as an umpire. A. J. M. Bacon, President of the Club at the time, said ' …He was my ideal of the perfect sportsman taking defeat with the best spirit.'

In 1939 a bulletin was sent to all Club members in which the following information was given …...'All games would be cancelled until further notice….' Yet again, war was responsible for the halting of the Club's progress and the loss of many promising young players.

Hendon Hockey Club resumed its activities in the immediate post war years. Thanks mainly to the efforts of one man, G. V. (Bill) Bayley, the Club survived during the war years. In spite of having no ground on which to play, a considerable reserve of goodwill was built up by club members retaining contact with each other. Consequently there was a much improved fixture list in the early post war years.

The first meeting of the Club after the war was on 3rd July 1946 at King Alfred's School, Golders Green, the first entry for that meeting being a silence observed for the war dead. About 22 members wanted to start playing again and several more were waiting for de-mob before making a definite decision. The Mill Hill ground was obtained again. Although the club had been repainted, the copper, which supplied the hot water, had been destroyed by enemy action. Enthusiasm reigned supreme, despite the discovery, on their return that the baths had been stolen along with the towels.

1946 - Bulletin

'Soap and towels must be provided by members until such time as rationing is relaxed. Efforts will be made to obtain non-coupon material for towels, but even then laundry difficulties will probably arise.'

From this time members were asked to provide their own towels and soap and a charge for teas was introduced. Clothing and equipment were very short at this time and old member's sticks and other equipment were put into a pool from which a small profit was made. Added to this pool was the Club's quota of coupon -free shirts. A limit on members was set at 60 and the subscription fee was £3.3s 0d with a 5s. entrance fee.

From 1946 the revival of the Club continued, pre-war members were contacted and attempts to attract new members were enthusiastically made. The re-formation of the Club was hampered by the absence of Club records. These records were presumed destroyed during the war years, but some have now been found. The Club continued to expand until by December 1948 there were sufficient members to run five teams.

1948 - Committee Meeting 13th December

'In view of the excess of members necessary to turn out 4 teams, due to lack of illness as was usually expected, it was agreed to run a 5th XI regularly from now on.'

At this time the Club was still based at Bunns Lane ground. However, it was becoming increasingly evident that the poor quality of these pitches had resulted in a gradual loss of top class fixtures.

The search for an alternative playing ground was becoming more and more urgent. Several potential grounds were considered, including Copthall and Haberdashers School, then based in Page Street, Hendon. Eventually it was decided to utilise the playing fields at West Hendon, our present home, which we moved to in 1957. Once these new pitches were found it was hoped that in the long term Hendon Hockey would expand to field ten teams - six mens and four ladies elevens.

The pavilion facilities at the ground were inadequate and the decision to construct an alternative was taken. By august the foundations had been laid and hard work made it possible to use it in a partly finished state by the beginning of the 1957/58 season. The pavilion was eventually completed by the voluntary labour of dedicated club members.

The mayor of Hendon, Mr. Stuart Arridge J. P., officially opened the pavilion on 12th April 1958. An exhibition game between a Middlesex representative team and the Hendon 1st XI was played to celebrate the opening.

Unfortunately the new pavilion suffered from burglaries and acts of vandalism. Its isolated position and wooden construction were contributory factors in it becoming ' a training ground for local apprentice burglars.' Club members at this time have said that Eddie Moorby, Chairman of the building committee, spent more time repairing the damage than he spent at home.

Strong efforts were made at this time to regain lost fixtures with better pitches encouraging better opposition.

The Club flourished and attracted many fine new members who helped to improve the standard of play considerably. In 1960 summer hockey was introduced into the club. This proved to be very successful and the fixture list grew. Games were played from May to September on Tuesdays and Thursdays with a subscription for new members of 10s. and a match fee of 2s.6d.

In 1965 an Easter tour was arranged to Berlin and this proved to be very successful with Berlin returning to us in September for our 80th Anniversary celebrations.

The clubhouse at this time was constantly under attack from the vandals and negotiations for the new council pavilion at West Hendon playing fields, our present home, began. Efforts at this time were also made to find a ladies side willing to amalgamate. Highgate Ladies replied and, in June 1966, they were elected members of the Club, playing under the name of Hendon Ladies at the beginning of the season. As can be seen from the minute book quote below they weren't the first:

1910 - A. G. M. 30th September

'The Hon-Sec announced that the Ladies hockey club had been disbanded due to lack of members.'

On joining, the ladies were immediately housed in the new council pavilion and were joined at a later date by the men on completion of a joint holding club lease with NALGO in August 1966.

So began a new era in Hendon's existence. Whilst the previous year was a season of innovation, the years to come were seen as a consolidation of all the hard work. On the playing side the men were running five elevens and the ladies, on several occasions, three.

Mixed hockey became an ever-increasing aspect of the club. The Comets had their first ever tour to Southsea in the 1967/68 season and have continued to be an important part.

1970 - Introduction to the Middlesex League

In 1970 the men's section were invited to join the Middlesex league to commence operation in the season 1971/72.

Hendon began its league career well. Promotion was earned in the first season thus facilitating a move from the Middlesex league into the regional league. This regional league was won by Hendon in the second season, a great achievement. Unfortunately, due to loss of key players, this high standard couldn't be maintained.

Subsequent fortunes in league hockey have been mixed. A few unsuccessful seasons resulted in demotion from the regional league to the county league. However, promotion was gained in 1981 and the Club's position in the regional league has been constant to the present day.

In the season of 1983/84 a Super Truman league was created which was to consist of the most successful teams in the three regional leagues during the previous season. Hendon narrowly missed a place in this league but will be striving for promotion in the subsequent seasons.

The Ladies section of the Club has continued to expand and is able at present to field five teams each week. The fixture list has been gradually improved to include all major teams within a reasonable travelling distance. The ladies have performed consistently well in Middlesex competitions and as a result have been invited to be one of the eight teams forming the premier league in the 1984/85 season.

Indoor hockey has been recently introduced and is now an important feature in both sections of the Club. Despite relatively limited training facilities consistently strong teams have been fielded in various leagues with considerable success.

Hendon has developed into an active social club in addition to its main function of hockey playing. In 1982 the Club was able to acquire the sole lease of the pavilion. This obviously gives much more freedom to the Club, the results of which can be seen in an improved club spirit and many successful social events. The acquisition of the lease has required many more people to give freely of their time in order to run the Club efficiently, such members being recognised and thanked for their efforts.

At present the Club is flourishing. New members are joining in force, social events are well supported and everyone appears to be enjoying playing, watching or umpiring hockey. Innovations such as the use of the astroturf pitches at Willesden and Neasden serve to prove that Hendon is set fair for the next hundred years.