East Grinstead Hockey Club facts for kids
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| Founded | 1897 |
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| League | Men's England Hockey League Women's England Hockey League London Hockey League South League |
| Based in | East Grinstead, West Sussex, England |
| Home ground | Saint Hill |
| Colours | White shirt, Navy shorts/skorts, White socks (Home) Navy shirt, White shorts/skorts, Navy socks (Away) |
| Chairman | Chris Vallis-Wilson |
| Captain | Simon Faulkner, Guadalupe Fernández Lacort |
East Grinstead Hockey Club is a top field hockey club in East Grinstead, West Sussex, England. It's known for being one of the most successful clubs in the UK. They have won many national titles, both for outdoor and indoor hockey.
The club started way back in 1897. Their home ground is called Saint Hill, located near Saint Hill Green. This amazing facility has a special water-based pitch for hockey games. It also has seats for fans to watch. Plus, there's a 3G pitch that can be used for both hockey and football. The club also has a clubhouse where players and fans can relax.
The Men's First Team plays in the Men's England Hockey League. The Women's First Team competes in the Women's England Hockey League. The club has many teams for different age groups and skill levels. They have five men's teams, four women's teams, and lots of youth teams. The men's team has won the English championship four times. The women's team has won it once.
Every three years, East Grinstead Hockey Club hosts a special event called the Jacques Paloume tournament.
Contents
Club History and Achievements
Early Successes and European Adventures
The East Grinstead Men's First Team won their first major title in 1983. This was the EHL title. They also won the National Indoor Hockey League in 1986. In 2006, the men's indoor team became National Indoor Champions. This win allowed them to play in Europe for the first time in many years.
They represented England at the European Indoor Champions Trophy in Brussels. They won silver medals there. This great result helped them get promoted to the top division of the Indoor Championship. In 2007, the indoor squad won the National Indoor League Champions title. This was a first for them. They also finished as runners-up in the National Indoor Championship that year.
Growth and League Performance
In the 2006-07 season, the First XI finished 4th in the English Hockey League. They also reached the final of the EH National Cup for the second year in a row. To get more experience, the men's 2nd XI and 3rd XI joined the London Higgins League. The 2nd XI did well, finishing in the top half of their division. The 3rd XI got promoted to Division 1.
The Under-21 boys' team won the Sussex Champions title for the fourth year in a row. Both the Men's 2s and the Vets teams won the Sussex Cup. Five players from the First Team were chosen for the first-ever GB Super Leagues. The club also won the BBC South East Club of the Year Award.
National and European Triumphs
In 2008, East Grinstead successfully defended their National Indoor League title. They were also finalists in the English National Cup in 2006 and 2007. In the 2007-08 season, they achieved their highest-ever finish in the English Hockey League. They were runners-up, which meant they qualified for the Euro Hockey League.
In 2009, the First XI won the English Hockey League for the second time. They also won the National Indoor Hockey League. They reached the last 8 in the European outdoor finals. They kept both their league titles the next year. They also won the European Indoor Trophy for the first time. However, they were knocked out in the last 16 of the European outdoor finals.
Continued Success and Recognition
The club was named England Hockey 'Club of the Year' in 2009. They were also shortlisted for the award in 2023. In 2011, they played in the National Indoor Finals as the defending champions. They kept their title after a great season. They beat Beeston 8-5 in the final at Wembley Arena.
In the 2010-11 outdoor season, they were strong in the league. But they lost the championship play-off final to Beeston 2-1. In the Euro Hockey League, they were knocked out by rivals Reading HC.
Women's Team Achievements
The Women's First Team has won the Sussex Premier Division many times. They also won the EH Vase in 2009. They moved up divisions quickly. They were promoted from the South Club's Women's Hockey League Division 3B to Division 2 in 2010-11. Then, they went from Division 2 to Division 1 in 2011-12.
They reached the National League East Conference in 2012-13. Finally, they made it to the Premier League in 2014-15. This was a first for the women's team.
During the 2020–21 Women's Hockey League season, the women's team was leading the Premier Division. But the season was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, they still won the Women's Championship Cup. They beat Clifton Robinsons 5-3 in the final. Their success continued in the 2022–23 Women's England Hockey League season. The women won their first-ever Premier Division title. They beat Surbiton 3–2 in the play-off final.
The club has also remembered important people who helped it grow. Dennis Leman was a key figure and president of the club for many years. Frank Farrell was also a frequent visitor and important person in Sussex hockey.
Team Players
Men's First Team Squad 2023–24 season
Here are the players for the Men's First Team for the 2023-24 season:
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Womens First Team Squad 2023–24 season
Here are the players for the Women's First Team for the 2023-24 season:
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Club Honours
Men's First Team Honours
Here are some of the major awards and titles won by the Men's First Team:
- EHL Premier Division Champions - 1984/85, 1985/86, 2008/09, 2009/10
- EHL Premier Division Play Off Runners Up - 1989/90, 2007/08, 2010/11, 2011/12, 2013/14, 2014/15
- EHL National Cup Winners - 1983/84
- EHL National Cup Runners Up - 2005/06, 2006/07
- European Indoor Trophy Champions - 2010, 2013
- National Indoor Finals Champions - 1986, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019
- National Indoor League Champions - 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016
- Men's Vets National Plate Winners - 2010
- Euro Hockey League Participants - 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2014/15, 2015/16
Women's First Team Honours
Here are some of the major awards and titles won by the Women's First Team:
- EHL Premier Division Champions - 2022–23
- Women's Championship Cup winners - 2020-21
- EHL East Conference Champions - 2014/15
- South Club's Women's Hockey League Division 1 Champions - 2012/13
- South Club's Women's Hockey League Division 2 Champions - 2011/12
- South Club's Women's Hockey League Division 3B Champions - 2010/11
- Indoor Team of the Year - 2010
- EH Vase Winners - 2009 & 2010
- National Indoor Finals Champions Women - 2016, 2019, 2024
Famous Players
Many talented players have been part of East Grinstead Hockey Club. Some have even played for their country!
Men's International Players
Here are some men who played for their national teams:
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Women's International Players
Here are some women who played for their national teams:
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Individual Player Awards
Some players from East Grinstead Hockey Club have won special awards:
- Ashley Jackson - World Young Player of the Year Award 2009
- Barry Middleton - Captain of England & GB (Great Britain)
- England Hockey 'Club of the Year' 2009
