Club History

Originally beginning life in 1889 as ‘Bath Hockey Club’ and 1957 as 'Phillippians Hockey Club' as legend has it, at the start of the millennium....

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2000 – With the emergence of Bath University and the creation of Team Bath Bucaneers Hockey Club, Bath Hockey Club merged with local team Phillippians Hockey Club in order to preserve the future of both clubs and ensure the future presperity and the opportunity for competititive hockey throughout the city.

With that gesture and cooperation City of Bath Hockey Club was born... and so our story begins!

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2018 – To mark the beginning of the 130th anniversary year since the formation of Bath Hockey Club, the club crest was redesigned to incorporate the formation dates of both Bath and Phillipians Hockey Clubs as a more permanent reminder of the past events which lead to the formation of City of Bath Hockey Club

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BATH HOCKEY CLUB – SOMERSET’S OLDEST HOCKEY CLUB

CENTENARY CELEBRATION 1889 – 1989

Formed in 1889 by Weston Cricket Club

No records remain of the early existence of the Club, all records were destroyed by the Luftwaffe during air raids on Bath in 1942, with just one faded newspaper article dated 1924 surviving. Some evidence was found in microfilm at Bath reference library.

1889 – Matches v Bristol, Weston Super mare and East Gloucester.

1903/4 – England v Wales at Lansdown Ground

1990/6 – Five clubs – Weston, Green Park, North Somerset, Oldfield Park and Bath.

1910/11 – Bath, Weston, and Green Park amalgamated and became Bath Hockey Club

1912/13 – Most successful season Played 23 Won 20 Drawn 2 Lost 1

During World War One – hockey stopped, but the club was revived in 1919.

As early as 1889 Bath joined the National Hockey Union. This was dissolved in 1895 and the Hockey Association took control.

After 1918 the teams played at the Recreation Ground and used the Swimming baths for changing.

Between the wars many matches were played. 1930/32 reveals a proposed German Tour starting on Boxing Day 1931.

In 1931 a Vice President was Arnold Ridley, later of Dad’s Army fame.

Again during the Second World War hockey was on hold – in 1945 normal service was resumed.

1947 – Bath formed a bond with Alkmaar Mixed Club in Holland – which still exists. Four exchanges in the 1970’s were made and 28 members of the Club attended the Centenary in 1989

1951 – 1952 – won the Bream Easter Festival.

1950 – 1960 Bath enjoyed one of the most successful decades of its history.

1962 – 1963 worst season because of the bad weather.

1964 – 1965 Schools Tournament organised.

1970’s the Club consolidated, and in 1977/78 joined the West of England League.

1977 – Mixed Hockey appeared on Sundays.

A Team Manager and a Playing Policy was adopted.

1982/83 – Paul Keen instigated the youth coaching policy. Initially under 15’s Sundays , but it was soon catering for youngsters of all ages and matches were being played. A Under 18 side was formed and played in the Somerset County League in season 1987/88

The club now had five teams, vets teams and was also playing indoor hockey

The Vets Team won the Westbury Vets Tournament in 1989

1989 – Sponsorship obtained from Withy, King and Lee Solicitors providing two sets of shiny shirts - complete with sponsors name.

The above are extracts from “A Centenary Celebration” compiled by Patrick Ost, Club Secretary from 1980–89