Club History
This article was intercepted on its way between the noticeboard and the bin during a clubhouse workday at some time in the early 2000s. It is not known who put it there or where it is taken from. It comprises pages 5 – 27 of an unknown document, odd pages only. Formatting, spelling and punctuation is as per original, though it went through OCR and PHP(website) coding so it may have some more oddities included unintentionally.
Beginnings
Major T. H. C. Hopkins, then a young master at Berkhamsted School, now retired and living at Ashridge, decided that playing hockey at Watford each week was a load of trouble. It meant taking a train to Watford Junction, walking a mile or so to the old Watford Football ground where the Hockey Club (not West Herts but its predecessors) had a pitch alongside. The football spectators - then as now club hockey matches went largely unwatched - when their match was over marched across the hockey pitch whether the game was in progress or not. Changing after the game was in a primitive wooden hut, washing in a tin basin, followed by a long walk and train home.
After a season or two the young Hopkins decided that a club in his hometown would suit him better. He gathered one or two local men together and founded the Berkhamsted club. The first fixtures were arranged. A week before the opening match the then Headmaster of the School decided to change our founder's duties; the new ones precluded Saturday afternoon sport.
Although he founded the club, he never played for it.
1903-14
During this period the club seems usually to have been captained by a local curate, either the Rev. B. H. Winterbotham or the Rev. R. H. Cattell. Even in the 50's this connection with the Church has been maintained; the Rev. Derek Laughton played for a season or two and Lt.-Colonel Charles Chase captained the 3rd XI for a couple of years before taking orders in 1962. Before 1914 only one XI was fielded but there was little difficulty in raising a side.
Various grounds were used. The first was off Cross Oak Road, about where Greenway now runs through an area wholly built over.
Mr. Noel Rew remembers the ground 'behind the station'; this must be the ground, mentioned in an early town Directory as 'Berkhamsted Park'. In the same Directory the Hockey Club appears in a list of Sporting Associations of the town in close proximity to the 'Berkhamsted Beagles' and the 'Berkhamsted Buckhounds'. Some may feel that the latter title might well be a suitable name for today's 4th XI.
Mr. Mark Tegetmeier, who was a member from 1910-21, says that in the seasons immediately prior to 1914 the pitch was inside the Castle grounds. He adds that 'there was a slight hump running right across the pitch which gave the game added excitement'.
Many hockey players know that playing on pitches with such features was not the prerogative of pre-1914 players.
Well-known local players of this decade, besides those already named, included T. F. Dwight (Bill Nelson's late uncle), John Lake, J.M. Hatherley, D. Harrison, A. C. and C. W. Iliff, E. Popple, H. J. Tubbs, E. W. Doncater and C. L. Greenstreet.
The 20s and 30s
In 1919 the club was restarted by M. Tegetmeier, assisted among others by H. B. Figg; with six or seven other pre-1914 stalwarts they formed the nucleus of the new side. Filling up the last few places in the one XI was not unlike the trouble the Team Secretary of today has with the 5th XI on some Saturday mornings. In those days too the Secretary was Treasurer, Fixture and Team Secretary as well.
The club was slow to progress after 1918, as it was again after 1945; in the late twenties and early thirties however a strong element of new members who had played hockey at school joined the club with a resulting raising of standards all round.
George Baker, who joined in 1928 and who was still scoring goals at centre-forward in the 1st in 1956, remembers well the side at the time. The backs were Alfred Coughtrey (Vice-captain of Berkhamsted Golf Club this year) and Bill Wiltshire (brother of Reg Wiltshire, 1st XI umpire 1946-56). Others in the side were Col. Lane, Baines, Ellison, Basil Thompson, Kenneth Boyd, John Voss, George Ross and Pat Goffey. In the early thirties Donald Lockhart first played in 1931 and was followed by Davy, Cranfield, Buxton, Raith, Philip Stevenson, 'Fuzz' Merricks, John Rowe and John Wilkinson.
This period, according to several of our former members was the golden age of B.H.C. although the fixture list was not as strong as today. In 1936 the club went through a season undefeated, drawing four games. The 2nd XI of the time included Martin Addiscott and Douglas Thorne, whose recollections of these years appear on page 13.
1946-63
Among those who helped re-form the club were Donald Lockhart, Jack Coleman, Reg Wiltshire and John Wilkinson. Donald was Captain from 1946-50 with John as Secretary until his sudden death in 1952.
Progress was slow. New members with any experience were difficult to find. Heavy defeats were not unusual, including one of double figures by Blueharts when Michael Green was pulled into the side on the Saturday morning for his first-ever game of hockey - and his last in goal. It was not until the 1951-52 season that a 2nd XI was attempted; even then the side seldom had eleven players. For five years from 1951 Brian Soole for two and Peter Wilkinson for three seasons were Captains of the 1st XI with the standard rising a little. In Brian's second year the 1st XI was undefeated from the end of October, a feat certainly not accomplished since, but opposition was not so strong by a long way.
At this time the fixture list showed little change from season to season but by the end of Peter Wilkinson' s 1st XI captaincy term (1956), new blood was beginning to appear. Not before it was time! A year or two previously the 1st XI on several Saturdays fielded a side with six players known to be over 40. (They shall be nameless as all are still connected with the club and are now over so).
From 1956-62 growth was continuous. Membership steadily increased; a 3rd XI was started in 1957, a 4th in 1959 and a regular 5th fielded through 1962. So much new blood has pushed up the standard of all Xl's as can be seen from the greatly improved fixture list. This has been in large part due to the enthusiasm of two recent Fixture Secretaries, Rodney Sims and Tarn Hodder.
In 1955-56 a new young element from Berkhamsted School joined the club. They had no experience but were very keen. They included Michael and Tarn Hodder, Martin Ranwell, Ian Weatherston and Chris Hawkings among others. To them must go much of the credit for the rapid increase in membership. Each of them was soon active on the committee and proved themselves leaders on and off the field.
From 1956 Laurence Viney, Pat Dodds and Brian Lawrence each captained the 1st XI for two seasons. The first of the three was fortunate in that his term coincided with a surge of new interest. During Pat Dodd92s time the seed already sown grew to maturity under his popular leadership and Brian Lawrence added tactical experience which had been obviously lacking.
Our present 1st XI captain is David Leach, who has proved a splendid and conscientious leader.
Move to the Cow Roast
The major decision, taken in 1957, to move from our single rented pitch at the Town's sports ground to our own with space for two at the Cow Roast, was made necessary by the club's growth. Three Xls cannot decently be run with only one pitch available. Many were the meetings and doubts before the decision was taken to buy the ground for £1,ooo and to spend another £1,500 on new changing rooms and other equipment.
With the help of grants from the Ministry of Education and a friendly bank manager of considerable foresight, a good start was made. During the summer of 1958 complete new changing rooms with all "mod cons" were built with all the unskilled preparatory and erection work being carried out by volunteer crews from members. (See illustrations on page 28). Three years later many of the same group of members built a most welcome extension to the club room.
In five years we have spent on capital account a total of £2,910 of which we have paid off £2,007, £1,137 of this has been raised by appeal and special efforts and the balance from Ministry of Education and other grants. £900 still has to be found and the committee is confident this sum will be raised in the next few years.
Our own ground is an asset indeed although, for the 5th XI, we are now loaned 'most generously by Mr. Moule of Champneys’ a third pitch within two miles of the Cow Roast.
In conclusion
The expansion would not have been possible without tremendous encouragement from many individuals, clubs and members. Not least would one mention the great support received from the late John Jewell when President of Herts, other County officials, our Presidents and Vice-Presidents, the parents of members and a great number of friends in the town who have all contributed towards our progress.
L.V.
PICTURE POT POURRI
1) Sean Earle and Martin Ranwell bear down on the ball. Note Sean shuns club stockings and correct grip of the stick.
2) Lowestoft Festival, 1958. Back row (I. to r.) David Binger, Tarn Hodder, Martin Ranwell, Peter Masters, Michael Hodder, Ian Wetherston, Mark Gardener. Front row (1. to r.) Sean Earle, Chris Hawkings, Rodney Sims, Henry Jackson.
3) This side reached the semi-final of the Vauxhall 'Sixes' in 1958. (l. to r.) Tarn Hodder, Chris Hawkings, Pat Dodds, Terry McCurley, Graham Jackson, David Harris.
4) Was it a goal? An intriguing question in the 1959 match against Bluehearts at the Cow Roast. Their goalkeeper is apparently fending off Brian Lawrence.
5) Our International umpire, Sandy Such. What would he have made of the incident on his right?
CLUB PERSONALITIES
by Keith Miles
(Left to Right, Top to Bottom)
PAT GOFFEY . . . . Veteran player now umpires . . . . a well-known sight at the railway station as he sails in, bowler dead centre fore and aft, on what is undoubtedly the largest bike in the cycle store.
CHARLIE WILLIAMS . . . one time Captain of the 2nd XI, lately captain of the 4th and currently banished to the north . renowned in hockey and other circles as a beer sinker.
LAURENCE VINEY . . . . Club Captain and flying centre-half . . . has been known, however, to collapse prostrate at half-time complaining of too many years.
DONALD LOCKHART . . . Club President and local building contractor . . plays regularly . . normally occupies half the club parking space with a vintage Bentley and a large crowd of admirers attached thereto.
CHRIS HAWKINGS . . . the raffle, jumble and dance man . . no hour is too late to rouse a household for junk or money. . habit forcing him to sell tickets for his coming wedding.
Nineteen-Thirties (continued)
Playing at back were Donald Lockhart and a man who I think was a Wiltshire and who was rather deaf. Whatever infirmity he possessed in his hearing there was none in hand and eye. I was always genuinely surprised when the opposition got past this triumvirate, but although this feat was accomplished it was never very frequent.
I always contend that the 1st XI in the 1930's was the best side the club has put out. This may be the prejudice of a 'has been' but when one calls to mind the present ability of Donald Lockhart and relates it back to those days there must be some force in the argument. Due to some queer mis-management of times of County trials Donald never really had a chance of his County Cap which all agreed was his by merit. Yet he, modest man, would be the first to admit to being an example of the individual standard.
I also recall the great Shoveller speaking commendation of George Baker. Davy was an inside forward of great skill. Rowe, who I believe had played for Marlborough, was a glorious wielder of the stick. More of Rowe later! Others no less distinguished were Boyd, Smith, Tuttle and Pat Goffey.
When I arrived, after a short trial, I was immediately drafted into the 2nd XI (there being no 3rd) for the limitations of my agricultural style were swiftly perceived. The gap between the 1st and 2nd Xl\'s was like unto a great abyss and the tale of the 2nd was one of lost causes in far off fields. After a more than usual devastating reverse (21 near-misses at Herbert Todd in goal) Rowe came down to provide a hinge for the rabble to attempt to pivot and form some sort of front. With undiminished goodwill this hero herded us along the right road until the war. That which the 2nd XI lacked in skill was sufficiently balanced by enthusiasm and it was awe-inspiring to see Rowe (who unhampered could have done better on his own) set this infernal machine of a side in tumultuous motion.
An attack so ingeniously conceived and so gallantly but imperfectly executed bore close resemblance to the Galway players in full cry. Ah rue! How much I used to enjoy the carnage.
Naturally these goings-on among the younger element fulfilled a higher social purpose in 1939 for nearly all these types, skilled and unskilled, were drafted into the Armed Forces to wreck mayhem on the foe instead of upon their friends. My training in goal in the 2nd XI fitted me for the Royal Artillery and stood me in good stead. One of my early C.O.\'s was (they said) an ex-Welsh International. Having inflicted some minor harm upon him in a friendly knock-up I found myself posted overseas to work off such malignancy in more suitable spheres. This was in spite of the protests of the P.T. Instructor who said to me admiringly 'I can see that you have used a club before'.
It was the ageing remains of these two sides which formed ranks in the mid-forties and suffered such cataclysmic defeats until new blood under the guidance of Laurence Viney, Bill Nelson and 'Tek' Williams lifted the club to its present high standard.
DOUGLAS THORNE.
Touch Line Gossip
2nd XI
The 2nd XI was first started in the '30s. Exactly when is obscure. Two well-known members of the then 1st XI deny its existence before 1951. Two others claim to have played for it regularly most of the 30s. Indeed one of them has such vivid memories (see Douglas Thorne's article) that it cannot all be a figment of his imagination. It was started again in 1951 with a struggle. It kept going on a minimum of available members until the sudden expansion of the club from 1956.
In its early days the 2nd XI, both before and after 1939-45 has had curious experiences on the field. One is a glorious memory for Bertie Todd, now President of Berkhamsted Cricket Club. He played half a season in 1938 in goal for the 2nd. Particularly memorable was a match against a now defunct team, Ballito Hosiery of St. Albans; their side was short of a goalkeeper. At half-time Berkhamsted led 13-0, Bertie not having touched the ball. He was lent to Ballito for the second half. At no-side Berkhamsted had won 27-0, Bertie still not having touched the ball.
In the early '50s, Norman Hart for a season and Gordon Paton for several led the 2nd, except for part of a year when a keen young man was elected Captain at the A.G.M., played a few matches and disappeared for good, with his sub for the previous season still owing. Fortunately such defaulters have been very few.
Norman Hart is still playing while Gordon Paton retired from Captain of the 5th last year having cheerfully led the 3rd and the 4th through his descent. This doesn't quite equal the case of the member who played for all five Xl's and the Sunday side in one season.
UMPIRES
Umpires have been described as the 'jewels of hockey'. Many players will not agree with this dictum. Whatever we may say about them, it cannot be denied that the B.H.C. has been very well served by its umpires. Sidney Tanner blew regularly in the '30s, Reg Wiltshire for ten years after the war, followed by Sandy Such and Jim Warhurst; since then, Sandy has reached the ultimate step on the umpires ladder and received his International whistle. Both he and Jim have been of immense assistance in the recent growth of the club with their advice both off the field and in committee. In the lower Xl's we are fortunate in having several former members who are prepared to stand even though some of them still prefer to run about as players.
GRAHAM JACKSON & GERRY ROBERTSON
We are perhaps rather greedy in claiming Graham Jackson as our man but we did put him up for his county trial long before he moved to Dulwich. He has played many matches for Herts and the East and a few years ago reached a Final England trial. No one quite knows how he missed his blue at Oxford. Many of us saw him play his full part as Vice-Captain to Cohn Akers in the county side which won the Championship at St. Albans in 1960. That match will live in the memory of those who saw it, particularly Cohn92s winning goal.
Last year Gerry Robertson, who played inside-forward for Scotland in recent years, joined the club, bringing with him welcome and much needed experience in the forward line.
FIXTURES
With our present fixture list it is hard indeed to look back to even a few years ago to some of the primitive pitches on which we played. With the improving standard several of our old 1st XI opponents now play our lower Xl's. We are most grateful to these clubs for keeping the fixtures with B.H.C. even though dropping to the 3rd or 4th XI. In these days of the 'block fixture of four or five
Teams' when a club is played only once a year, the former clubs who helped us on the way up the ladder should not be forgotten.
In the '20s the club's fixtures included R.A.F. Halton, West Herts, St. Albans, Royal Masonic School, Rickmansworth and North Western Railway. Cooper's ran a strong side in the '30s and their matches with the club were always needle affairs. At this time too several other schools were played regularly including Aldenham and Dunstable.
It is a pity that the standard of various works sides, Waterlows, Vauxhall and Hazells among them, has not kept pace with those of the clubs. Immediately after the last war Vauxhall Motors fielded a strong side which gave several local clubs a good beating.
The fixture secretary for the last few years has done a splendid job in raising the standard back to the pre-war list even if this has been at the expense of some faithful opponents of the past.
GROUNDS
Hockey grounds vary enormously as we all know, probably as much as changing accommodation, teas and beer. One remembers the bad more than the good. The bad grounds will remain nameless; quagmires, bottomless morasses, balls lost for good in ruts across the pitch, no baths, no hot-water and teas in dirty and doubtful cafes have all been experienced. Now there is a tremendous improvement with rarely a ground without reasonable washing facilities. They may be the odd flint or two on some grounds but generally the quality of the pitches is far better.
Both before and after the war B.H.C., for reasons we know not, played a team from a Mental Hospital or two. Post-war one of our players, rather slower in changing than the rest of the team, was left behind. The changing room was locked by a Janitor; muffled. shouts and cries came from within. Passing along the passage members of the staff commented that 'old George' was up to his tricks again; 'better leave him for an hour to cool off' they said. Only when a rescue party was sent from the field of play was the missing player released.