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, Courtney Hansford |
East Grinstead Hockey Club is a top field hockey club in England. It is located in East Grinstead, West Sussex. The club is one of the most successful in the United Kingdom. They have won many national titles in both outdoor and indoor hockey. The club started way back in 1897.
Their home ground is called Saint Hill. It is part of the East Grinstead Sports Centre. The club has a special water-based pitch for hockey. It also has seats for fans to watch the games. There is also a 3G pitch for hockey and football.
The main men's team plays in the Men's England Hockey League. The main women's team plays in the Women's England Hockey League. The club has five men's teams and four women's teams. They also have many youth teams for younger players. The men's team has won the English championship four times. The women's team has won it once. Every three years, the club hosts a special event called the Jacques Paloume tournament.
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Club History
The men's first team won their first English Hockey League (EHL) title in 1983. They also won the National Indoor Hockey League in 1986. In 2006, the men's indoor team became National Indoor Champions. This meant they got to play in Europe for the first time in many years. They played in the European Indoor Champions Trophy in Brussels. They won silver medals and moved up to the top division for indoor hockey. In 2007, the indoor team won the National Indoor League title.
During the 2006-07 season, the men's first team finished fourth 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 second and third teams joined the London Hockey League. The second team finished well in the Premier Division. The third team won promotion to Division 1. The Under 21 boys' team won the Sussex Champions title for the fourth year. Both the men's second team and the Veterans team won the Sussex Cup. The club also won the BBC South East Club of the Year Award.
In 2008, East Grinstead successfully defended their National Indoor League title. They were also runners-up in the English Hockey League in 2007-08. This allowed them to play in the Euro Hockey League. In 2009, the first team won the English Hockey League for the second time. They also won the National Indoor Hockey League. They reached the last eight teams in the European outdoor finals. They kept both their titles in 2010. They also won the European Indoor Trophy for the first time.
The club was named England Hockey 'Club of the Year' in 2009. They were also shortlisted for the award in 2023. They played in the National Indoor Finals in 2011 as the champions. They won the title again after a great season. They beat Beeston 8-5 in the final at Wembley Arena. In the 2010-11 outdoor season, they lost the championship play-off final to Beeston. In the Euro Hockey League, they were knocked out by Reading HC.
The women's first team has won the Sussex Premier Division many times. They also won the EH Vase in 2009. They moved up through different leagues over several years. They went from Division 3B to Division 2 in 2010-11. Then 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 for the first time.
The club remembered two important people who passed away. Dennis Leman died on August 12, 2010. He was a key person in making EGHC what it is today. He was the club president from 1972 to 1977. He was also captain of the first team from 1952 to 1962. Frank Farrell died on June 3, 2010. He was president of the Sussex Hockey Association.
During the 2020-21 season, the women's team was leading the Premier Division. However, the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But the team still won the England Hockey Women's Championship Cup. They beat Clifton Robinsons 5-3 in the final. Their success continued in the 2022-23 season. The women won their first ever Premier Division title. They beat Surbiton 3-2 in the play-off final.
Team Players
Men's First Team Squad 2024–25
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Women's First Team Squad 2024–25
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Men's Team Achievements
- 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, 1992, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018
- 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 Team Achievements
- 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, 2025
- European Indoor Tier 2 Champions: 2023, 2025
Famous Players
Some players from East Grinstead Hockey Club have also played for their national teams.
Men's International Players
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Women's International Players
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Individual Awards
- Ashley Jackson - Won the World Young Player of the Year Award in 2009.
- Barry Middleton - Was the captain for both England and Great Britain teams.
- England Hockey 'Club of the Year' - East Grinstead Hockey Club won this award in 2009.
