A Brief History

Although there are press reports of a 4-0 "Hampstead" victory over Richmond in December 1874, probably achieved by the Hockey section of Hampstead Cricket Club, Hampstead Hockey Club was formed on 13th April 1894, when its members disaggregated from the Cricket Club, seeking a better playing surface after complaints of frequently waterlogged pitches - a perennial problem that dogged the Club until the mid-1980s, when it moved to Paddington.

Starting its games at Elms Farm in Acton, the Club soon moved to Richmond Athletic Ground. This was regarded as a temporary measure but remained in place for 44 years until the Second World War. In the early days, cricketers of quality joined from Hampstead Cricket Club and quickly formed a strong playing basis for the Club that led to the so-called Glory Days between 1900 and 1913, when it was pre-eminent in England. One such player was A E Stoddart, who also captained England both at Rugby and Cricket. Another was Stanley Shoveller, described as the "Prince of Centre Forwards" who won 29 caps for England and two Gold Olympic medals, a prodigious scorer of probably 500 goals for the Club and 79 in his 29 international appearances. The Hampstead team of 1910/11 included no fewer than 5 English internationals.

The First World War took its ubiquitous toll, with the death of 6 members and the Club unable to fulfil its fixtures. The 1920 Olympics did see three Hampstead players in the Gold medal winning team, Shoveller, Jack Bennett and CTA Wilkinson: another, CSW Marcon, joined the Club shortly afterwards. Thereafter, despite representative honours (including Club full backs who opposed each other as English and Welsh captains in 1924) the Club lost its pre-war dominance and results slipped. However a 4th XI was being run in 1928, requiring a second pitch.

The Second World War also saw the Club unable to play. It only re-grouped in 1950, a feat achieved after strenuous efforts, prominently by Ruari Milsted (described as the greatest player not to have played for England) and with the support of Purley HC for whom several ex-Hampstead players were then playing. The Club re-started at Hampstead CC's ground in Lymington Road, West Hampstead with a match against Teddington 2nd XI. Pitches remained a problem and after four years the Club moved to Brondesbury. Soon results began to improve, to the extent that by 1955/56 they were on a par with those before 1913. At full strength the team included 5 internationals.

Then in 1957 the Club was given notice to quit and, after a hectic search, secured two pitches at Boston Manor, returning to West London after 63 years. This move coincided with another downturn in the Club's playing record and two years later it joined the Hornsey Club in Crouch End, having successfully played Summer Hockey there. This remained the Club's home until 1988.

The Club's membership had striven hard by fund raising efforts to procure good quality grass pitches at Hornsey with drainage works that ultimately were not successful. It often used artificial pitches in order to fulfil fixtures, including the shale pitch at the neighbouring school and at Coram's Fields in Euston, an early Avon rubber surface as well as pitches at Market Road in Islington, New River Stadium at Wood Green and for a brief period at Parkside Leisure Centre in Cricklewood. Through its tireless then Secretary Norman Borrett, the Club gained a toe-hold at Paddington Recreation Ground, beginning its fixtures there in 1984 and after a second artificial surface was laid, moving there permanently: in recognition it resolved to change its name to Hampstead & Westminster. The Club temporarily joined Paddington Sports Club as social members for post match hospitality but in 1995 adopted the adjacent Carlton Tavern as its Clubhouse, thanks to the generosity of Club President, Peter Boizot.

Having played games of mixed hockey, the Club eventually fully embraced the Women's game by forming a Women's section in 1986. The Women' section was immediately successful and established five teams within a decade. The Women's 1st XI secured rapid promotion through the Middlesex League to participate in the South League, the stepping stone to the National League.

Although a founder member of the London League in 1969, the Men's 1st XI's results were not impressive in the 1960s and 1970s and despite a strong showing in the early part of 1983, did not qualify for inclusion in the newly formed National League. Always a strong supporter of the block fixtures studiously built up with traditional opponents in the London area over the years, the Club sought to retain the spirit of the London League arrangements. However, it bowed to the inevitable and in 1986 and with prompting from Peter Boizot, secured the appointment of Australian Greg Carr as player coach (whose wife Tracy coached and became an influential member of the Women's 1st XI). Greg's efforts led to an immediate improvement in results and, ultimately, after his return "down under", the championship of the South League in 1993. This was followed by promotion to and two years' participation in the National League, sadly followed by relegation after the sudden death of team Manager, Sam Taylor. However, under the guidance of player coach and Great Britain international Rob Thompson, immediate promotion back to the National League was secured in 1997.

On its return, the team followed the same experience in its first two seasons, narrowly avoiding relegation in 1999. The club then appointed Soma Singh, another Hockey Olympian, as its player coach. This led to successive championships of Divisions Two and One and promotion to the Premier League in 2001. Under Todd Williams, the 1st XI's record improved and in 2004, it participated in the Premier League Play Offs for the first time.

The club continued to expand as competitive London League hockey extended to the Men's 8th XI (as well as the Veterans' XI) and witnessed the admission of a touring team to represent the Club in Division 3B of the League, bringing the total number of Men's teams to 12 (including the Super Veterans). The Club's leading teams prospered in the higher divisions and the 5th XI won the Championship of Division 5A in 2000. In 2004 the Club was represented by six teams on the Finals Day of the London League Championships.

The Club also sponsored, through the generosity of Club President Peter Boizot, the laying of a water based pitch at Paddington Recreation Ground. A new sand-based surface was also provided for the caged pitch. In 2001 a successful campaign led to the installation of lighting to the water based pitch in the hope of improving access for evening skills' training. This coincided with an increase in demand in the use of floodlit facilities in the City of Westminster and the emergence of a need to forge closer links with the local community. Efforts to promote youth hockey tended to flounder for lack of interest but revived in 2003 with the aid of Lottery funding.

The Women's' 1st XI secured promotion to the South League (the stepping stone to the National League) in 1999 but discovered a more intense level of competition and, following relegation, consolidated its position in the Middlesex League. Cup success was more readily achieved. After an appearance at the National Stadium in 1998 in the semi finals, the 1st XI were Runners Up in the final of the EHA National Women's Trophy Competition in 2003.

In 2002 the Club appointed a new President, following Peter Boizot's retirement from Club affairs and he was appointed President Emeritus. This was followed shortly by the decision to convert the ownership of the Club into a company limited by guarantee with all members becoming shareholders. The Club had also established a website and began encouraging communication by e-mail, including the posting on the website of team selections, results and match reports, replacing a printed Handbook and Fixture Card.

In 2005 the club was the London League Club of the Year for the first time - reflecting the outstanding success of men's teams throughout the club.

In 2006 the women's 1st XI went one better than 2003 and won the EH Trophy final in thrilling fashion. The men's 1st XI finished 5th in the EHL Premier League and the men's 2nd XI won the London League Premier Division without losing a game.

Timeline / Chronology >>
1922 Hockey World Article >>