Boots Hockey Club History

In 2005, Boots Hockey Club were delighted to celebrate their centenary, a remarkable achievement for a modest sized club and a landmark of which we are very proud.

If you're looking for a hockey club in Nottingham, great value for money, a fabulous attitude towards hockey, running seven teams, 3 mens and 4 ladies, as well as a very mixed team - then you're in the right place! As well as playing hockey we're renowned for having a great time off the pitch!

Our website is currently being redeveloped. If you are a member of our great club and would like to help with bringing together the new website, please get in touch with your local friendly committee member.

Various Historical Extracts & Articles

Boots Athletic Club Journal, 1907-1908

Sep 1907 - Shortage of players for the coming season. Concerns the standard will drop, matches may have to be cancelled and the Club may even have to shut down.

Nov 1907 - Team had varied results, 6 games played, 2 won, 2 drawn, 2 lost. Team generally not strong, no regular goalkeeper so far but someone lined up. Boots amongst first to be members of The Notts County Hockey Association.

Dec 1907- Several accidents to players, only 2 victories in the season so far. Short of players for several matches.

Jan 1908 - New players needed or may only be able to occupy a minor position in the hockey world.

Ladies Hockey Club - Going strong, if improvement continues will have one of the best teams in the county.

The Beacon, staff magazine, 1919-1938

Oct 1919 - Ladies Hockey Club - The season has only just commenced, but enthusiasm is running high, and every arrangement is being made to run two teams, with a splendid list of fixtures which has been provided."

Dec 1919 - "The girl's hockey team is now in full swing, and two matches have been played almost every Saturday. We are sorry to say that so far the results have not been what we would have liked, owing no doubt to the teams being unable to practise together, but now that we are getting used to one another's play, we should begin to have better results."

Men's Hockey - "The interest shown in Hockey this season has been so great that in addition to the first eleven an 'A' team has been formed."

Feb 1920 - J.C Keatley & C. Beck selected to represent the county.

Apr 1920 - Men's Hockey - " The Hockey Teams have had a full programme during the last two months. The first team has met with varied success, but the 'A' team have lost all of their matches."

Dec 1920 - Girls Hockey - "The Hockey Club held a successful and enjoyable Whist Drive and Dance in the Gymnasium on October 30th. The event of the evening was the 'Nightlight Supper', which, however, was not on the intended programme. Strange to say, only two prizes fell to members of the Hockey team, and as these were 'Booby' prizes, it is quite certain that their prowess at hockey is better than that of whist.

Men's Hockey - "Although we have been scoring well, the chief fault in the team lies in the forward line which lacks combination; with a better understanding the front line would be what our defence is - one of the best in the district"

Sept 1921 - Men's Hockey - "The Secretary. is hoping for an even more successful time than last year, when we had one of the best hockey teams in the district."

"When your livers feeling sluggish and you're sure that you are ill,
We've an advertising expert who will tell you just the pill
To cure your pain. But listen, if you're feeling rather rocky,
Come and knock a pill about - and try a game of hockey.

There are tinctures, tablets, tonics, if the pain is in your head,
You may take a hundred remedies, and try a day in bed.
When every picture tells a story and your knees are feeling knocky
Then come along to Lady Bay - and try a knock at hockey."

Feb 1922 - Men's Hockey - "Since the last issue of The Beacon, we have had a run of bad luck having to cancel six matches out of twelve, mainly due to weather conditions. Not that we are by any means fine weather players."

"The poor, unfortunate Hockey team,
Their prowess cannot show,
The water covers every ground
To which they wish to go.

So don your bathing costumes,
And diving boldly in,
Drown all opposition,
And land another win."

"Our ground has again been selected for the International Hockey Trial on 24th February, 1923"

March 1923 - G. Brown & M Ranson nominated for the county, Brown played, Ranson reserve.

Extract from the Football Post for Saturday, 27th Jan. 1923:

'Second Oldest Club in Notts'
"The Hockey Club played for one season, 1902-3, and in 1903-4 became a section of Boots Athletic Club... starting with nine games in their first season, they have now decided no fewer than 287, and it must not be overlooked that such men as the original secretary, L.R.B Palmer, and Jack Keatley have had a big hand in the Club's advance."

"21st Year Celebration - Social Evenings have been held throughout the winter, but the final celebration was held on April 7th. An exciting match between the First and Second Elevens, where experience won 3-1, was followed by tea in the pavilion. In the evening there was an excellent gathering in the Institute. Captain Jack presented the colours to sixteen members. There were orchestral items which were very much appreciated, and a most interesting exhibition of dancing Three members of the hockey section, heavily disguised, made weird noises near the piano, and in song and story told what they knew of our hockey players."

"An international Hockey Match is confidently expected in Nottingham during 1924-25, and we are glad to hear that it has been decided to play the match on the Boots Athletic Ground."

Feb 1924 - Photo of American Ladies' Hockey Team,
"We are very pleased to entertain the Ladies Hockey Team on our Athletic Ground, on Saturday, February 2nd, The Midland Ladies fielded a very strong team, and the victory was overwhelming. The match proved a great attraction and a very large crowd gathered on our Athletic Ground the American Captain, Miss Townsend, said she found English hockey players a good sporting lot, and added that they entertained equally as well as they played. She payed a compliment to Boots Athletic Ground, in which all the other players joined, saying that the playing piece was the finest she had played on, either in this or any other country."

Dec 1924 - Men's Hockey - "Hockey is now in full swing and three teams have been out in the field most Saturdays. The county trials have taken place, Boots having two representatives, Messrs. Thorndyke and Cawthorne the First and Second Eleven have lost only one match each. The third team have been less fortunate regarding results, but they should not give up hope. With fairly regular matches, the side will improve, because the material is there"

May 1925 - Men's Hockey - "The English Final Trial Match took place on our ground on February 28th. A crown of approximately 1,500 watched the keen game between England and the Rest. Without doubt many hints have been picked up by members of our club, and a big improvement in the play should be the outcome. A most successful hockey season has just closed with the usual First Eleven versus Second Eleven game, the first eleven winning 4-2."

Dec 1925 - Men's Hockey Notes - "The First Eleven have proved themselves to be on of the best in the district. getting through to the Final in the Notts. C.H.A. Tournament" p.333

March 1926 - Girls Hockey - "The hockey girls are a very enthusiastic crowd, and show great keenness. They are determined that the Girls Hockey Club shall be permanently established, and all are working hard to this end".

The first Girls' hockey dance was held on 13th Feb 1926.

June 1926 - Photo of Men's 2nd Team, p.381. "Three teams have been maintained and over forty members have turned out." A new ground has now been built (not sure exactly when or where). Photo of Trent Bridge Athletic Ground from the air (before alterations and the building of the pavilion)

Jan 1927 - Men's Hockey Section - "Boots, the only club still existing of those who originally formed the N.C.H.A, commenced its twenty-fifth season with a most successful Tournament. Two team were again played in the Notts. County Hockey Association's Annual Tournament, both acquitting themselves very well"

'Notts. County Hockey' - "Boots Hockey Club has been honoured in the selection of two of it's members for the Notts. County Hockey 1st Eleven. Both players were highly successful. Boots Athletic Club are very proud of the success achieved by the two players honoured by the county"

Mar 1927 - Notts County Hockey - "On February 24th the Notts. County Hockey Season came to a conclusion. and we are happy to record that our representative, K.W Thorndyke, again gave a sound display. Boots Athletic were represented, as they were 21 years ago also. They were the only original club to supply a player for this year's match. In the 1906 match, A. M Campbell and F. Rivers were the Boots Athletic representatives in the County Team."

May 1927 - Boots (London) Athletic Club - Ladies Hockey Section photo - This was their first season, they are hoping to run two teams next season.

May 1928 - Photo of the "Scallywags", the team formed for the Easter Scarborough Hockey Festival, The team did not win a game.

"From a weather point of view and matches cancelled, this season just drawing to its close has been the worst in our memory and also the memory of our "Skipper", Jack Keatley, which harks back some twenty-six years. For weeks on end match after match had to be cancelled owing to grounds being unfit either through snow and frost, of flood."

July 1928 - Photo of London Hockey Girls at Blackpool.

"For the first time in the history of Boots Hockey Club, we are able to boast a divisional Player in our ranks. We have had several County men, but none had caught the eye of the Midlands Selection Committee until K. W Thorndyke did the necessary this year" - Photo of Thorndyke

Girls' Hockey - "Rain and floods have up to the present marred what would have been a good season. We must congratulate Misses Button and Lowe on being chosen for Notts. County First Eleven. Both these players took part in the Midlands Hockey Tournament held in Nottingham during January, The final day of the tournament was given up for the Midlands Trials and Miss Lowe was one of the players chosen to play in these and finally obtained a place in the Midland reserves as Left Inner"

Oct 1930 - Nottingham Men's Hockey Club - "With a number of new young players, the season's prospects appear good. There is, however, a lack of first class forwards, not only in Club Hockey, but in County, Midlands and International Games."

"Boots Hockey Team on Tour. Great day in London-Beaten, but that doesn't matter-A super supper-Sea shanties on Marylebone Station."

Aug 1931 - Nottingham Women's Hockey Section - "Miss Doman, the well known Hockey Coach will be spending the afternoon on our Ground with us, followed by a Tea and a Lecture and a Social Evening at the Institute, Trent Bridge."

Nottingham Men's Hockey Section - "The first Eleven have been unable to get together a winning combination. The second eleven have a very fine record and are looked upon as one of the best second teams in the county. F. W. Gant was selected (for the Notts County Trial) and played (he) is now becoming well known throughout the Midlands for his excellent work on behalf of hockey umpiring."

Women's Hockey Section - "The season opened with great enthusiasm and we have now a list of 80 players. The younger members are very keen and among them are some promising players."

Apr-May 1932 - London Ladies' Hockey Photos, 1st and 2nd Eleven, "Team work has been the motto of the First Eleven this season, and the fine results shown prove it to be a good one. The old fault of not being able to score at the crucial moment has not yet been completely overcome, but a great improvement has shown itself since last year. Of course, the good work put in by the goal keeper has saved many a downfall."

Nottingham's Men's Hockey - "..the Second Eleven have had an excellent season, and are living up to their reputation of one of the best Second Eleven's in the County. Steve Sutton in goal sometimes thinks it is a waste of time playing. The first Eleven have not yet developed the winning complex but have had some good close game."

May 1932 - Photo of the flooded Athletic Ground at Lady Bay, front cover of the June-July issue.

Jan-Feb 1933 - Nottingham's Men's Hockey - "The First XI is performing considerably better than last season and it is hoped this improvement will continue and that once again 'Boots' will be a power in the Hockey World. The Second XI still continues its triumphant progress. The Third XI still battle valiantly but become somewhat discouraged at having to turn out short practically every week... recruits are needed badly if we are to continue to run three teams"

Nottingham Women's Hockey - "Following on the custom of the past few years, the club very kindly arranged for Miss K. Doman (East and England) to come along on the 23rd September to give the members practical and theoretical coaching. It was generally agreed that the players were most fortunate in having the benefit of Miss Doman's wide experience, and she was given a very hearty vote of thanks.

"A word to all players -be keen, try hard, keep your mind on the game, pull together and remember you are only one of a team, but it is a BOOTS team. A Happy Season to all"

Mar-Apr 1934 - Nottingham Men's Hockey - "On the field the First Eleven has performed very creditably and Grundy's bag of 23 goals (so far) is to be remarked upon, as not since 1925-26 has this total been reached by one player. The Third Eleven has surprised everyone and most probably the members thereof most, by winning twelve matches and scoring sixty-nine goals."

Sept-Oct 1934 - "The Hockey Section has been sadly depleted, and we are very much afraid it will mean one team only this year."

May-June 1935 - Nottingham Women's Hockey - The Notts. Women's Association introduced a new venture -'Hockey Week.' This was a week devoted to coachings, sports, dances, socials, etc. The 'hockey sports' were held on our ground and the team of six entered by Boots Club was successful in obtaining the highest points."

"What has been described as 'the best Boots Hockey gathering ever' was held at the Albert Hotel, Nottingham on Friday, May 1st." There was "a gathering of about 50 past and present hockeyites thus there was a complete linking up from the original team to that of to-day."

Feb 1937 - Article on the history of Boots Athletic Hockey Club, by T.W Johnson. "In the year 1902, some dozen fellows found time hanging on their hands on the weekly half-day. They had a chat about this, and the idea of playing hockey was conceived. Some very thin ash sticks -curved at one end, bound with thread at the other -were purchased, some old balls were begged from the cricket section, and there the seed of the Boots Hockey Club was planted, and has continued to grow ever since"

Dec 1937 - Men's Hockey - "The 1st team is not producing results in accordance with the run of play. Opportunities present themselves but the forwards seem unable to finish off the movements. Eye- witnesses relate that no method of action is observed in the circle. Forwards get in each other's way, dally and dribble when they should be shooting. The place for the ball after the circle is the net! Take a chance, forwards, hit and hit hard!"

Extract printed from 'Hockey Field' November 9th."

"Did you know?

That the 'Ladies' Hockey Association' was 'born' in a tea -shop in Brighton?

That the Association was officially formed in November 1895, in the Westminster Town Hall?

That the following resolution was turned down when it was first proposed? 'No player shall wear hatpins, or sailor, or other hard-brimmed hats, etc.' But that it was eventually passed in 1898?

That the uniform of the English Team in 1896 was: White Canvas shirts and caps, the badge, The Rose of England, on the pocket and on the peak of the cap, cardinal serge skirt and band, white silk tie (Long), sailor hat (for travelling purposes only)?

That in the year 1898, the following paragraph appeared in an article on Women's Hockey: 'There must be no hankering after individualism or conventional smartness, no offerings to the Belial of the fashion plate or the Moloch of impressionable spectators, for the time being the player is no longer a lady whose social position is suitably expressed in her attire, she is a workwoman in a particular field, whose one object it should be to subordinate everything to the efficient performance of her duties'?

Aug 1938 - "Special coaching day for member of our club, by the well known international and county player, Miss B. J Dickenson, of Birmingham. This will a day of great interest to all Hockey enthusiasts, and is open to players and beginners.

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