Hockey has been played in Fleet since before the First
World War. In the early days, teams used to travel to
away games in a horse and cart provided by Hankins (a
hardware merchant located on Fleet High Street opposite
Gurkha Square in what is now a public house)! The cart
was used primarily as a delivery vehicle by Hankins, but
on match days a few chairs were strapped on the back and
away they went. How times have changed!
Club activities were suspended during the War years
and the Club re-emerged in its present form around 1925.
Until very recently, Fleet HC shared clubhouse facilities
with Fleet Cricket Club in Calthorpe Park and even played
matches on the cricket outfield. However, a period of
growth called for additional pitches and the Club established
good relationships with the Army, playing at the Officers
Mess in Aldershot (now the Potters International hotel).
The advent of Astroturf as the ‘standard’
playing surface demanded further evolution and Fleet
HC now plays home matches at theArmy Hockey Centre in
Aldershot.
On the field, Fleet HC plays competitive league games
in the South League, travelling throughout Hampshire
to fulfil fixtures. Recent successes such as the 2nd
XI Championship season in 2004/05 sit alongside current
international honours for England and Wales, plus representation
at Hampshire U15 level. Our primary aspiration, however,
is as a family friendly club and our Youth Academy aims
to reach out to all local children and to provide sporting
opportunities for their parents. Now with two adjacent
Astroturf pitches at the Club’s disposal, clubhouse
facilities close by and a revamped coaching set-up,
Fleet HC is the place in the area to play hockey.
Socially –and there’s always asocial side
to hockey clubs the world over –the Club sends
team to various tours and festivals. Possibly the most
ambitious was the 1988 tour to Kenya, but closer to
home, teams from Fleet have been regular visitors to
the Isle-of-Man, Jersey and Dublin. The Club also runs
its own Summer League for players of all ages and standards,
allowing even the most inexperienced novice to play
alongside international players. And not forgetting
the Fleet HC mixed tournament which started in 2006.
We hope that you’ll come and join us and look
forward to welcoming you to our Club. |