About Us

Until 1997, Winchester had two separate Hockey Clubs, Winchester Men's Hockey Club and Winchester Women's Hockey Club, both of which have flourished in the city for many years. However, in September 1997, after lengthy negotiations, the two clubs officially merged to become Winchester Hockey Club.

Winchester Men's Hockey Club is one of the oldest hockey clubs in the world, if not the oldest. The club began in March 1891 when an inaugural Annual General Meeting was held which appointed Mr. A. Tebbutt as Captain and Mr. B. Chancellor as Secretary and Treasurer. That was over 125 years ago, Queen Victoria still had 20 years to reign, the British Empire covered half the Globe and the Industrial Revolution was in full swing.

Winchester Women's Hockey Club, or Winchester Ladies Hockey Club as it was known, was one of the first clubs in Hampshire and was affiliated to the Hampshire Hockey Association in 1904. It remained affiliated for the next three seasons but then there was a gap of some six years before the club was formally started in 1919.

Here below you can read the key events which have lead to Winchester Hockey Club being the great club it is today.

1891 (6 March)Meeting held in the Market Hotel to form Winchester Hockey and Bandy Club - led by Arnold Tebbutt (Chair / 1st XI Capt.)

1891 (21 March)1st match played v Winton House (Winchester)1891 (25 September)1st AGM of Winchester Hockey and Bandy Club1914-18Hockey largely suspended during WW11915-1625th anniversary - during 1st world war1919 (November)Winchester Ladies Hockey Club formed

1919 Ladies wore blue berets, white shirts, mauve ties and long navy blue skirts with different coloured braid denoting merit

1939-45 Hockey largely suspended during WW2

1940-41 50th anniversary - during 2nd world war

1945 2nd October Pat Whitfield calls meeting to restart match play, post WW2

1946 (July)Agreed Winchester Men's Club merger with Winchester Ladies Club running as 2 sections

1946-47men's 2nd XI first formed

1947 (October)Agreed Winchester Men's Club and Winchester Ladies Club would go their separate ways again

1953 Mayor watches both men and ladies Clubs matches on separate occasions

1954-55m en's 3rd XI first formed1954 (December)Christmas holiday matches for colts arranged

1955 (August)Confirmation of official club colours white shirts, navy shorts, royal blue stockings

1963 (Easter)1st attendance at Weymouth Easter Festival (to replace going to Teddington Festival)

1956 (April)Club has entered National Psychics laboratory (NPL) festival Teddington for 2 days at Easter

1956-57men's 4th XI first formed as largely a colts team

1957-58 Membership hits 100

1966-67 Club colours changed to gold shirts and black shorts, gold/black socks

1967-68 Ladies 2nd XI first fully established

1969-70 50th anniversary of Winchester Ladies Hockey Club

1966 (September)75th anniversary match watched by the Mayor Mrs. Thackeray

1972-73 First league matches played

1965-66 75th anniversary season

1975-76 Men's 5th XI first formed

1975-76 Sunday Colts league team formed

1977-78 1st Saturday men's veterans side formed. "The Wanderers" (6th Team)

1977-78 Ladies 3rd XI first fully established

1979-80 Sunday mini hockey started

1981-82 The Wombats formed as a specialist men's side for promising youngsters. (7th Team)

1982 Winchester Sports Association (W.S.A.) formed

1982-83 The 2A XI formed as a younger men's vets later becoming the Hustlers and then the Wizards. (creating an 8th team)

1983-84 The 3A XI formed creating a 9th men's team

1984 Winchester Sports Association (W.S.A.) Clubhouse opened

1985-86 The Strollers 3rd vets team formed creating a 10th team

1990 (September) Perins school, Alresford lay first astroturf pitch in Winchester City boundary for priority use by the Club

1990-91100th Club anniversary season

1991 (8 March)Centenary dinner in the Guildhall1

1994 3 Winchester boys from Wales, Scotland and England at play for their National U16 side

1997-98 Men's Club successfully merged with the Winchester Women's Club (10 men and 3 ladies)

1997-98 Club colours changed to gold shirts with purple trim, black skirts/shorts, purple socks

1999 The Kings' School on Romsey road laid 1st Astroturf pitch in Winchester

2002-2003 4th men's vets team Whistlers formed (for 1 season only)

2003-04 Boy's U15 win National U15 plate

2004-05Veterans won National O-40 plate final

2005-06 Winchester u16 boys win National indoor title - 1st time

2008-09 University of Winchester lay 2nd Astroturf pitch in Winchester

2009-10 The Whippets formed (a specialist side for promising youngsters)

2010-11 4th team renamed "The Academy"

2011-12 Men's teams reduced by 1 (9)

2012-13 Men's 1st win National Vase title

2013-14 Winchester Girl's Academy side started

2015-16 4th Ladies XI first formed

2017 (May) u14 boys win National u14 Cup

2014-15 Men's teams reduced by 1 (8)

2015-16 125th Club anniversary - dinner held in the Great Hall

2017-185th Ladies XI (Tigers) first formed

2018 (May)Winchester girls (U14) win a Hampshire Cup final for 1st time

2018-19 2 Winchester boys play for England U16 (R. Penrose and W. Whitmore)

2018-19 Winchester u16 boys win National indoor title again

2018-19 Winchester u14 boys win Mercian Junior League title for 1st time and reach National u14 Cup finals day

2018-19 Winchester mixed team reach National finals day (June)

2019 (19 November) Ladies section 100th anniversary

2020-21 130th Club anniversary

2020-21 Winchester U16 Boys win National EH Cup in Nottingham

2024 Women's 1st XI promoted to South Prem Div One for first time

2024-25 U16 boys Tom Nolan & Rory Jack selected for England U16, U16 Boys win U16 Tier 1 Vase, and runners up in U16 Indoor final

2025 Men's 1st XI return to South Prem Div One

Winchester HC truly appreciates and thank all our sponsors who make a significant positive contribution to the success and welfare of the club, teams and players - across all ages.

The Club is committed to maintain its place as a key progressive and successful club in the centre of Hampshire, building on firm foundations for the successful introduction and development of hockey from age 6 through to senior Vets. The Club continues to invest in significant programmes of coaching, training and match day planning for all ages and aspires to:- play at the highest levels possible; and to create a long term permanent base for the club, complete with pitch and clubhouse to both entertain opposition, #thirdteam, members and all parents and supporters.

Our sponsors are key to helping us along this fantastic journey - we sincerely thank them all. 

Happy Hot Tubs are the leading supplier of Hot Tubs, endless swimming pools and spa’s across the south and Midlands area of England, and have a fantastic reputation for friendly advice and service to ensure their Tubs and Spa’s are always in perfect condition, throughout the year.

The club welcomes the fantastic support of Happy Hot Tubs to help facilitate training and development across all our volunteer junior coaching teams, as well as supporting the drive to introduce hockey into primary schools in the Winchester area.

NB: Any members wishing to secure a great deal on a new Tub or pool - just contact our Membership Secretary for details :-), visit www.happyhottubs.co.uk

Happy Hot Tubs believe you Deserve Happy® - and with their great service, you will be!

The sponsorship also provides us with excellent kit for coaches, Keepers, and funds coaching training and development - so if you would like to get involved in coaching and developing your skills please get in touch.