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Some High Points in the History of the Men’s Hockey Club
The Club was formed on 26 January 1898.
1922/23 - the Club moved to New Writtle Street to share the ground with Chelmsford Cricket Club having played at various venues including Springfield.
The last committee meeting before war broke out was in the Lion and Lamb on 3 July 1939. Informal games were played during the war years, but the Club was effectively in suspension.
A Special General meeting was held at the Golden Fleece on 27 August 1946 to "reform" the Club after the end of the war with two Saturday sides being fielded.
1956/57 was the first season when a regular Sunday side was recorded in the fixture card.
In 1962 the pavilion at New Writtle Street was destroyed by the exploits of an arsonist who seems to have destroyed about six other buildings in the location.
1964/65 - J G Burrell’s last of twenty-two seasons as President of the Club. This is the longest recorded period for which any member has held the same office in the Club.
1968/69 - Creation of the Chelmsford Sports Club (CSC): an affiliation of the Chelmsford Hockey Club, Chelmsford Ladies Hockey Club and the Chelmsford Cricket Club. The CSC led the negotiations with Chelmsford Borough Council for the location of the clubhouse and pitches at new playing fields at Galleywood to be know as Chelmer Park.
1971/72 - The first season at Chelmer Park.
- On 21 March 1971 the park and pavilion at Chelmer Park were opened by the Mayor of Chelmsford, Alderman D A Bellamy. The Chelmsford Sports Club clubhouse (our current clubhouse) was erected as part of the pavilion. Roger Thompson, Alan Gemmill anbd John Currie were the key driving forces in the hockey club for the new ground. The Club’s own official opening was on 23 April 1972 with hockey and cricket games between the three member Clubs followed by various celebrations!
1980/81 - A formal Saturday Veterans XI introduced for the first time.
November 1986 - the launch of our thriving Youth Section!
1986/87 - Alan Gemmill’s 40th playing season for Chelmsford.
1989/90 - The first season using the artificial pitch at Chelmer Park. This was built as a joint venture by the hockey clubs and Chelmsford Borough Council with the clubs meeting 10% of the capital costs - raising £40,000 in one season! The pitch was opened on 26 November 1989 by the Mayor, Councillor Jean Norton, with an exhibition game which was against Havant HC. In the same season a second Veterans side was started - the "Evergreens". The 1st XI were crowned Norwich Union East League Premier Division Champions...
Chelmsford Hockey Club 1990 - NL Play-offs - Olton & West Warwicks. HC
Back row L-R: Adrian Smith, Jon Aldridge, Crawford McKee, Phil Bastian, Steve Reeve, Andy Neave, John Meer, David Kitchiner, Richard Bentley, Keith Wiggins
Front row L-R: Dick Morris (Manager), Dave Heelis, Adrian Heelis, David Harvie (Captain), Kevin Collins, Richard Stubbings, Alistair Moore.
Not pictured: Andy Cole.
Chelmsford Hockey Club (1996/97) - National Stadium - Milton Keynes
Back row L-R: Dave Passmore (Coach), Andy Neave, Rob Hawkins, Naeem Khan, Keith Wiggins, Adrian Smith, Chris Routs, David Hunter, David Kitchiner (Player/Manager), Simon Lewis (Captain), Alan Draper (President).
Front row L-R: Jonathan Wilcox, Alan Thorogood, Chad Miah, Darren Whitford, Mark Norton, Abdul Khalik, Mike Cullen, Gareth Ingram. Not pictured: Ben Farmer, Pat Oxley, Abu Seleq.
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