History of Hockey

Club of the Week

A. J. M. Bacon's influence

Founded in the year 1897* by a small band of enthusiasts in the village of Hendon, as it was then, this club thus ranks amongst the comparatively small number of existing clubs whose history can be carried back to the last century. In those days it was an adventurous journey into the country to visit the club's home ground, the only means of communication being the Midland Railway at Hendon Station, from which one had to take a brake drive of about a mile and a half. The opening of the Tube to Golders Green and the starting of a motor-bus service to Hendon synchronised with the arrival in the Hendon Club of the now veteran player, A. J. M. Bacon, then in his prime, and the beginning of the club's present prosperity can be traced undoubtedly to these three factors. The first two made the club more accessible and brought in many new members from the rapidly-developed district of Golders Green, whilst the third was the driving power, who, by his skill at the game and his organising ability made the most of the material which came to his hands in the dual capacity of captain and honorary secretary of the club.

Post-war Activities

In the year 1913-14 three teams were running, and the prosperity of the club was greater than it had ever been before. It was the intention to increase the number of teams to four in the following season, but the Great War intervened and nearly sounded the death-knell, as it did to so many other clubs. Fortunately, in October 1919, a few of the old members were able to revive the club, and, although the beginning was very modest, a fresh start was made under the secretaryship of the present honorary secretary, O. H. Clarkson Webb. Play was started with a membership of twenty-three, but by the end of the season this number had increased to thirty-one, and from that day the club has never looked backwards, until today it has some sixty playing members, and is recognised as one of the leading clubs in Middlesex.

The New Ground

For twenty-six years the club played on the same ground in Parson Street, Hendon; but owing to difficulties with the lease, it was found necessary to move this season to North Ealing, on the new ground of the Mill Hill Park Cricket Club. Here both pitches are located on the same ground, and for the first time in the history of the club all home teams meet together in the same pavilion, where ample accommodation is provided. The Hendon Club has had a very rapid rise to the front rank of London hockey, and we offer it our sincere congratulations and wish it continued success and prosperity.

* Our records in fact date back to 1885 with the possibility that the club existed informally even prior to that.