History

Wisbech Town Hockey Club History

Wisbech Town Hockey Club was established on Thursday 20th October 1939,

where a public meeting was held at the Wisbech institute rooms. (click for minutes). There had however been a ladies team established for some time before. The earliest record we can find being 7th January 1938.

During 1939 the club moved it grounds from Messrs Simpsons field, Black Bear Lane to the rectory, Walsoken. With the onset of World War 2 only mixed hockey was played between 1940 and 1945. After the war there were 3 first class players who knew the game very well, and were able to put their knowledge and enthusiasm into the game. Dr.G.Kennedy who had played hockey for Ireland. C.M.V.Sessions, and C.J.Harrison who were teaching hockey in schools.

During this period we were fortunate to have a first class captain in Sam Shippey, whose interest in sportsmanship in all games was well known.

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In 1949 the club played its hockey at leverington but later moved back to the Rectory ground , Walsoken. Throughout this period both Ladies and men’s teams were fulfilling fixtures whilst in 1953 the men’s team ventured on a tour to Dublin with tales of the unexpected still being recalled today.

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During the 1960’s the men’s team attended the Blackpool Hockey festival, whilst the ladies team went from strength to strength.

In 1962 the hockey club amalgamated with Wisbech Cricket club at it’s Harecroft Road ground and in this period the joint Cricket and Hockey club increased in membership and playing strength.

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The headquarters of the joint club consists of approximately eleven acres of ground, owned by the National Trust, with four grass pitches. (Still there today but not used since the club built an Astroturf pitch) these were laid out surrounding the main cricket playing area.

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In 1974 Graham Ward ( The newly elected Chairman) decided to set up a junior section with the help of other leading members within the club, mainly: Max Huckle, Edward and Richard Sandall, Sam Shippey Junior, and Bernard Fletcher.

The aim was to encourage youngsters to join the club, and be taught how to play. They would have games every Friday afternoon when the youngsters and several seasoned players played together and the youngsters were instructed how to play.

The effect was dramatic - the youngsters were taught properly with the effect that the standard of teams put out from the club is second to none and many of the palyers went on to achieve higher honours. In 1981/82 and 1982/83 the clubs under 18's reached the finals of the national indoor championship.

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The youth policy still continues today and it is not unusual to have over fifty youngsters attend junior training on Tuesday evenings.

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