ILFORD MEN

In 1906 on 11th September at an AGM held at the “Afternoon Tea Company's Rooms” it was decided to form a hockey club. The home ground was to be Valentines Park. By 1908 they had toured France to play hockey and in 1909 Mixed hockey was introduced.

During the 1914 – 1918 no hockey was played.

In 1919 the club resumed playing and in August 1920, Harry Haslam played for GB and won a Gold Medal at the Olympics in Antwerp.

In 1923 a new Pavilion in Valentines Park was opened and the club played there until September 1939. They also played at the Clacton Easter festival.

Again there was no play during World War Two.

The Club resumed playing in 1948 at the pitch in Valentines Park. The club then played continually and in 1956 the Golden Jubilee was celebrated, and in 1966, the Diamond Jubilee.

By 1969 the Club were Essex League Champions and also the Eastern Counties Club Champions.

In 1972 they joined with Redbridge Ladies to train at the new Sports Hall at Redbridge - Indoors.

A Club Coach was appointed in 1976 and the club became Essex Indoor League Champions.

1982 on 21st March the clubs 75th Anniversary was celebrated, but later on in June at the AGM the members agreed to amalgamate with Redbridge ladies under the name of Redbridge and Ilford Hockey club.

PARKSIDE LADIES

The club was formed in July 1956 in the Mayfield Ward of Ilford, playing at Goodmayes Park.

They played regularly from 1956–1970 with a full fixture list and mixed matches. They had a Mini bus to take teams to matches.

There were Easter tours to Ramsgate from 1969 to 1971 and that year a 2nd XI was formed.

In 1972 Redbridge Sports Centre opened and the Ladies amalgamated with Ilford Men and played at the Sports Centre, Barkingside and changed their name to Redbridge and Ilford Hockey club.

REDBRIDGE LADIES

The first recorded matches were played at Oakfield Sports Centre in September 1972 and tea was taken in the Redbridge Sports Centre tennis pavilion. In September 1975 a 2nd XI was started and a tour to Jersey was undertaken in 1976 A Junior team was formed in 1978 followed by a 3rd XI in 1979. They also had an International player, Liz Mc Kay who played for Wales. In 1981 the

Oakfield sports centre closed and this led to the ladies meeting Ilford Men and the amalgamation took place.

REDBRIDGE AND ILFORD HOCKEY CLUB

1982 was the year that these teams amalgamated and in 1983 they obtained sponsorship from Specialised Printing services. The Men needed money and the Ladies needed a new home pitch.

In 1987 they moved to Ashton Playing fields and the Ladies became Essex League champions. By 1988 mini hockey had been introduced, and the men had progressed to the East Divisional League. Astro turf was now coming into use, and a Committee was formed to discuss development.

By 1996 the club had played it's last game at Valentines Park and the club moved to Ashton Playing Fields with teas still at Redbridge.

In 1998 the club formed its first website. and in June 2000 the club received a Millennium Festival Award from Sport England..

During it's short history, the Club has had four boys who have represented England at Under 18 level, two mixed England players and a Mixed squad in the National finals.

The sponsor in 2000 was now Supreme -O-Glaze and mixed hockey was successful in winning the Essex Mixed League

In 2006 the club celebrated 100 years of Ilford men's, 50th Anniversary Redbridge Ladies and Silver Jubilee of Redbridge and Ilford Hockey club.

Information taken from the National Hockey Museum's website

Redbridge & Ilford Hockey Club

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