Edinburgh University Men's Hockey Club is the official men's field hockey club for The University of Edinburgh. It currently comprises seven men's teams, which makes it the largest men's university field hockey and sports club in the United Kingdom, with over 160 active members. It also represents the largest adult male membership for a hockey club in Scotland. Founded in 1901, it is one of the oldest university hockey clubs in the United Kingdom.
Full name | Edinburgh University Men's Hockey Club | ||
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Nickname(s) | The Gamblers, The Students, The Unay, Uni | ||
Short name | EUMHC | ||
League | Scottish Hockey Scottish Premiership, Scottish Regional League, Scottish East District 1, 2, 4. BUCS Premier North, Scottish 1, 2, 3, 4. | ||
Founded | 1901 | ||
Colors | Green (Home), Red (Away) | ||
Home ground | The Cauldron, Peffermill Playing Fields, Edinburgh, Scotland (Capacity 4999) | ||
Personnel | |||
Coach | Neil Allan (1st XI Head Coach and Head of Development) | ||
Chairman | Florian Garland Hoff | ||
Manager | Sebastian Garnett | ||
Members | 167 | ||
Affiliation | |||
University | The University of Edinburgh | ||
Website | www | ||
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Each team plays in regional Saturday league matches across eastern districts of Scotland and the top teams play in the national leagues and central leagues. The 1XI - 7XI teams participate in extra leagues on a Wednesday afternoon, where they participate in their respective British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) league, playing other universities in Scotland and across the UK.[1][2]
Home games are played at Peffermill Playing Fields (also known as The Cauldron, Peffs, and The VK Peffermill Arena), which are water-based pitches located in southern Edinburgh. Training takes place at Peffermill on Monday and Thursday evenings for all teams. These pitches are of an international standard, giving players of all abilities within the club an opportunity to play their best hockey.[3]
The hockey club has a vast range of abilities within the club from international players to people who have just started to play the sport. All are welcome and the aim of the club is to not only improve players' abilities within the sport but to also provide a worthwhile and competitive sport for players to play throughout their university experience.
The club is sponsored by Gibson & Kerr, and LPA_.[4][5][6] The 1st XI are also sponsored exclusively by Artemis, and the 2nd XI are sponsored by Aldi.
The club's mottos are "Bleed Green" and "We are the Gamblers".
History
editOrigins and early history (1901–2000)
editThe first mention of hockey at the university was in 1899, when a notice was published in the Student, which read "Would those in favour of starting a Hockey Club in connection with the University kindly forward their names and addresses to the Secretary, Hockey Club, University PO?" One of these founding members was G.M. Melville who although was born in Ireland he was schooled in England and attended university in Scotland.
There is no further mention of the club until 1901 when pitches were secured at Craiglockhart and play commenced. On 18 November that year the University Hockey Club as represented that year at the meeting of clubs in Scotland when it was agreed to form a Scottish Hockey Association, making the club a founding member of the modern association. The first match was played against Dumbarton and it was lost with the rest of the season recording 11 played, won 4, lost 5 and drawn 2. By the end of the season a second XI was started and so the sport must have proved a success.
The club was admitted to the University Athletic Club (now the Sports Union) in 1902 when W. Sibbald Robertson was the captain and in that year no less than 5 University players were recorded internationalists. T.P Caverhill was one of these 5 and must have been especially good given his numerous mentions and was subsequently awarded blues. The 1905–1906 season was especially good when of the sixteen matches played, twelve were won, three drawn and only one lost. One member of this team was especially of note. Frank Fasson was a former internationalist rugby player and must have brought all his speed and fiery temperament to the Hockey pitch which he demonstrated one match when he took a dislike to his opposing number and slashed his stick against the man's shins. The next week Frank had a tooth ache and went to the dentist and much to his dismay found that his dentist consultant was none other than his previous opposing player. However the great sportsman Dr N.L. Stevenson took neither advantage nor a fee. It was Fasson who was playing later that season when Scotland secured the first Scottish victory when playing against the Welsh; the result was 3–1.
The best season in the club was recorded in 1908–1909 when the first XI was unbeaten and six of the squad were chosen to represent Scotland. It was around this time that toy rabbits first appeared in the team photos presumably as mascots of the club.
Like most sports, the First World War halted hockey matches although the club was re-established for the 1919–1920 season. The remarkable growth in the Sport meant that in the following season, five teams were fielded for the university. For the 1922/23 season, the first-ever Blues officially recognised by Edinburgh University Sports Union was awarded to J J B Martin.
The club suffered a dry spell for victories until 1930-1931 when the competition for places on the teams was so great that inter-society matches were organised. This successful season saw the first touring side to go down to English Universities and victories were recorded against both Durham and Manchester. It is also in this season that the Scottish Inter University Championship was first recorded which Edinburgh won which was followed the next season with the first successful tour to Ireland. This successful vein continued with the Scottish Championships residing with Edinburgh University until the 1938–1939 season, the last before the Second World War.
There was no shortage of matches to be found during the war this time with 20 matches recorded each season. It is the 1942–1943 season which saw the first incarnation of the Scottish university teams play the United Services with no less than six Edinburgh men in the team. Much of the success gained by the team was attributed to the brilliant Emmanuel Evans-Anfom as club captain.
In the history up to 1959, the club recorded a total of 32 full internationalists and one (Stephen Theobald) who represented Great Britain and between these players they recorded 183 international caps.[7]
1980s (The Golden Years)
editIn the 1980s, club won 16 collective and individual awards from the Edinburgh University Sports Union (5 of which were collective awards, 11 individual awards) include 3 back-to-back Club of the Year awards. With so many awards won by the club during this era, it is speculated that growth, development, the number of titles won, and club culture changed fundamentally during this period. The impact of the 1980s is still seen within and around the club to this day.
As early as the 1990s, the club began singing 'The Gambler' by Kenny Rogers at club socials and at games. It is a tradition that is still upheld to this day, and the club and its members are known widely as 'The Gamblers'.
Recent history (2000–present)
editDuring the 2004/05 season, the club's socials took place at The Crags bar near Pollock Halls of Residence. This continued until 2012.
In the 2011/12 season, the 1st XI finished in 8th place. Whilst in the 2012/13 season they finished 7th [8] In the British Universities & Colleges Sport the 1st XI compete in Scottish 1A, which they won in the 2011/12 season.[9]
In the British Universities & Colleges Sport the 2nd XI won Scottish 2A during the 2011/12 season and so won promotion for the first time to Scottish 1A since the leagues were re-organised in 2003. They finished the 2012/13 BUCS 1A season in 3rd place.[10]
2012/13 season
editThe 2012/13 season was a pivotal season for the club. Then player-coach Graham Moodie stepped up to coach the 1XI full time, becoming the club's Head of Performance. During his near decade spell at the club, he led the team several Scottish Cup Finals, winning BUCS leagues, cups, and promotions, and professionalised the higher end of the club as one of the most dominating sides, not just within Scottish university hockey, but Scottish hockey as a whole. Moodie stepped down from his position in August 2021, Scottish International Hamish Imrie has since taken up the role as Head of Performance.[11]
The club moved its bi-weekly socials to Malones Bar (later McSorleys) on Forrest Road, Edinburgh, and is widely recognised as the modern home of the EUHC socials scene, with hundreds of match teas and official socials taking place there.
It was also in the 2012/13 season that saw the beginning of Edinburgh Fives and Exeter Fives. Members of the club welcomed a first year student from University of Exeter Hockey Club to Edinburgh in December 2012 as part of Edinburgh Fives. The return journey (Exeter Fives) was held the following February, so forth starting the long social tradition that is still upheld to this day. Exeter University Men's Hockey Club and Edinburgh University Men's Hockey Club maintain close ties to this day alongside Edinburgh Fives and Exeter Fives. Both clubs are the largest men's university hockey clubs in their respective home nations (Edinburgh in Scotland; Exeter in England), both play in green at home, both share the motto "Bleed Green", and both club names can be abbreviated to "EUMHC".
2019/20 season
editAt the end of the 2019/20 season, then Director of Hockey at Edinburgh University, Eugene Connolly, who spent many years at the club developing coaches, umpires, and growing the size and image of the club, retired. Along with Dennis Hay, Connolly is often regarded as a mentor and father of hockey at Edinburgh University. The Director of Hockey position was removed and replace with Head of Hockey Development, a role which has since been taken up by Scotland Women's over 55s coach, Janice Hudson-Windsor. The season ended prematurely in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic which cancelled annual events on and off the pitch such as Varsity, Exeter Fives, Hockey Ball, and Tour.
2020/21 season
editThe 2020/21 Season was effectively cancelled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Training in a limited capacity took place from September 2020 until December 2020. The Scottish and UK Government's second lockdown enforcement in January 2021 cancelled all forms of indoor and outdoor play until the end of March 2021. The club's social scene was rendered non-existent for the entire season, again cancelling major traditions such as Exeter Fives, Hockey Ball, and the club Tour that weren't hosted during the previous season either. The club maintained its administrative and committee structure during the pandemic
2021/22 season (The Golden Season)
editAs of the beginning of the 2021/22 season, the club bolstered a membership number of over 190, making it the largest men's university sports club in the United Kingdom. The 1XI, with the support of Edinburgh University's Performance Sport Programme, continued to dominate Scottish Hockey. With high finishes in both the Scottish Hockey Premiership and the Scottish Cup, the 1XI continued to be one of the only men's university hockey club in the UK to actively compete for EHL qualification.
Scottish Internationalist Hamish Imrie joined the club as the 1st XI's player-coach and Head of Performance.
In the first half of the season, the 1st XI developed and honed a new field hockey strategy known as 'The Lobster Theory', which draws the comparison of specific defensive and offensive plays, as well as player mentality, with that of the cooking and preparation of lobster for consumption. The expanded details of the strategy are a closely guarded secret within the club, and was used sparingly throughout the season. Unconfirmed reports suggest that 'The Lobster Theory' has a 100% win efficiency, and is attributed to the many successes of the 1st XI during the 21/22 Season.
In the 2021/22, the club secured several titles after a return to play due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. In March 2022, the 2nd XI (Bill's Angels) led by captain Jack Cahalin won BUCS Scotland 1 in their final BUCS game of the season against Glasgow University, 3–1, in which they needed to win their game to win the league.
The 3rd XI led by captain Ted Porter made history after winning the BUCS Scottish Conference Cup, 3-3 (3-2), against Edinburgh Napier in St Andrews. The 3rd XI were down 3–1 with 6 minutes remaining in the final quarter. Former captain Harry Heap lobbed a ball past the keeper with 4 minutes remaining. In the final minute of the game, a head height 'Brexit ball' was hit into the circle which was deflected mid-air by the club's Social Secretary, Sonny Erskine, into the roof of the net which ended the game at 3-3. The goal has been described by spectators from both sides as 'the greatest goal ever scored in a game of hockey'. The game was won by club Treasurer and incoming President, Alex Johnson, who saved the final penalty flick to win the Scottish Cup and BUCS Championship. A club quote surrounding the win goes, "Ewen Mackie had a dream, but Ben Pearson and Matt White made that dream come true", in reference to 3rd XI's former and current coaches.
Later on in March 2022, the 1st XI won the BUCS National Vase at BUCS Big Wednesday in the final against University of Birmingham Hockey Club Men's 1st XI, with the full time score at 1–0.[12] 1st XI Captain Robbie Croll scored the single goal of the match. It ended the 1st XI's silverware drought which had persisted since they won the BUCS Hockey Trophy during the 17/18 season. The day is often described as, "it's a dangerous day to be a pint".
On the same day, the 3rd XI won BUCS Scotland 2 in their final BUCS game of the season.
In April 2022, the 5th XI won East District 1. This was an incredible achievement for the team and the club as they team was almost completely new and restructured at the start of the season, and the team had been new promoted to the league.
In February 2022, the 1st XI finished 2nd place in BUCS Premier North, behind University of Nottingham Hockey Club Men's 2nd XI. Due to the BUCS Regulations on promotion within the Premier leagues, the 1st XI were entered into the BUCS Premier National Playoffs in order to contest promotion. BUCS Premier National, since the formation of BUCS in 2008, is the highest competitive league for men's hockey in the United Kingdom. There has never been a Scottish men's side qualify for BUCS Premier National. In April 2022, the 1st XI lost their first opportunity at promotion when they lost 2-2 (1-4) against University of Oxford Men's 1st XI. Their final chance at promotion was left to their last playoff game against Oxford Brookes University Men's 1st XI at Peffermill. The 1st XI secured the victory, winning 4–1, and securing promotion to the top flight of BUCS Men's Hockey for the first time as a Scottish men's team.[13][14]At the end of April 2022, the 2nd XI (Bill's Angels) won the Scottish Men's Regional League, the highest competitive men's league in Scotland for non-first teams. Their title win came down to their final game of the season that was left in a tight tie breaker between 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. The 2nd XI and 3rd XI finished off the season with two club trebles, when the 2nd XI won the Scottish Men's District Cup and the 3rd XI won the Scottish Men's Reserve Cup.[15] These games ended the club's golden season with three confirmed promotions and eight titles for the club.
2nd XI Coach, Bill Robson, retired from his role as the most decorated coach in club history, with 5 trophies over the course of 5 seasons, 2 of which were disregarded due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
To date, the 2021/22 season is the most successful season the club, as a whole, has ever had.
2022/23 season
editThe club expanded its number of teams from seven to eight.
The 3rd XI were promoted to BUCS Scotland 1 from the previous season, marking the first time a third team has competed at that level. They also secured a place in the Scottish Hockey Regional 1 league after a strong league placement the previous season and restructuring the league systems. This placement made them the highest competing 3rd XI team in Scottish men's hockey.
The 7th XI were entered into the BUCS system for the 2022/23 Season. Their entry made the club the joint largest men's university sports club in the United Kingdom by their number of competitive BUCS teams - along with the University of Nottingham Hockey Club and the University of Exeter Hockey Club, both of whom enter their 7th XI's in the same season.
The club moved its bi-weekly social scene to Dropkick Murphy's.
As the season began, Peffermill was coined with the nickname, "The Cauldron", by Scotland Internationalist and former 1st XI Captain Robbie Croll.
In early October 2022, the 1st XI drew 2–2 against the reigning BUCS Premier National winners and BUCS Championship champions, Loughborough Students Hockey Club 1st XI at The Cauldron in BUCS Premier National.
The club was shortlisted for a record 4 awards at the Edinburgh University Sports Union Sports Ball 2023. These awards were based on the previous season and included Club of the Year, Team of the Year (3rd XI), Male Athlete of the Year (Robbie Croll), and best Club Publicity Record of the Year. Despite the successes of the previous season, the club failed to win any awards in one of the biggest upsets in club history.
Bill's Angels successfully defended their BUCS Scotland 1 title after a decisive victory against Strathclyde 1s at The Cauldron.
The 1st XI successfully achieved back-to-back BUCS Big Wednesday appearances after winning against Exeter University Hockey Club 2nd XI at The Nandos in Exeter. The full-time score was 2-2 after Robbie Croll and Alex Wilson both scored. The game was won in a series of penalty strokes after goalkeeper Charlie Gates saved a penalty to allow the 1st XI to win 5–3 on penalties. They progressed to BUCS Big Wednesday at Nottingham Hockey Centre – their second appearance in two seasons – where they played University of Nottingham Hockey Club 2nd XI in the BUCS National Vase. EUMHC were 2–0 with 9 minutes remaining but brought it back to 2–2 in the final minutes, courtesy of an Alex Wilson deflection and an Iain McFadden drag-flick. With the game going to penalty strokes, Edinburgh won the game after 1st XI goalkeeper, Charlie Gates, saved two penalties. At back-to-back BUCS Big Wednesdays, "it was, yet again, a dangerous day to be a pint". In a post-match interview, 1st XI vice-captain and Scottish junior internationalist, John Stephen officially referenced The Lobster Theory, which was developed in the previous season as the reason for their eventual success.
In early April, Edinburgh University Sports Union announced that the first ever Blue - awarded to students for outstanding university sports performance - was awarded to a member of Edinburgh University Men's Hockey Club in 1922. The Blues Award in question went to J J B Martin.
The 2nd XI narrowly missed promotion to BUCS Premier North at the beginning of May 2023 for the first time as a Scottish Men's 2nd XI, after a defeat at Peffermill to Newcastle 1st XI in penalties. Remarkably, despite the high-stakes nature of the game coinciding with the demanding university exam diet, the team experienced an overwhelming display of support from their fellow club members with over 200 members from the Men's and Women's clubs in the stands of Peffermill.
Club President Alex "AJ" Johnson, distinguished himself as a notable figure in the club's history. After serving as a committee member for an impressive four consecutive years, he departed, leaving behind a remarkable legacy. Johnson's exceptional contributions spanned both on and off the field, earning him the distinction of being the club's most decorated member. Over the course of six years as an active player, he secured an impressive tally of ten prestigious trophies and titles. AJ's remarkable achievements have left an indelible mark on the club's history, cementing his status as a legendary figure.
2023/24 season
editThe club moved its bi-weekly social scene to Ballie Ballerson on Forest Road, Edinburgh - the same venue as the recently closed McSorleys.
The 3rd XI won the BUCS Scottish Conference Cup, and the Scottish Hockey Reserve Cup.
The 2nd XI won the Scottish District Cup.
Famed clubman, Ritchie McCluskey, was known for being a badger.
Current situation
editFor the 2023/24 season:
- The 1st XI are currently coached by Scotland International and Player-coach Hamish Imrie. They currently compete in the Scottish Hockey Premiership, and BUCS Premier North.
- The 2nd XI are currently coached by former clubman and Player-coach Ewen Mackie, and play in the Scottish Regional League 1, and BUCS Scotland 1.
- The 3rd XI play in the Scottish Regional League 1, and BUCS Scotland 1. They are coached by 1st XI player, Jamie Croll and 3rd XI playercoach, Florian Garland Hoff.
- The 4th XI play in the Scottish Regional League 2, and BUCS Scotland 3. They are coached by 2nd XI player, Fin Herbert.
- The 5th XI play in the Scottish Hockey East District 1, and BUCS Scotland 3. They are coached by 1st XI player, James Pitchford.
- The 6th XI play in the Scottish Hockey East District 2, and BUCS Scotland 4. They are coached by 1st XI player, Michael Trimble and 6th XI playercoach, Stuart Head.
- The 7th XI play in the Scottish Hockey East District 3, and BUCS Scotland 4. They are coached by 2nd XI players, Flo Garland Hoff and Ali Heading
Committee
editThe club is run by the committee, which is elected every year from existing members. The day-to-day operations are handled by the committee with the support of persistent staff members employed by the club and the university.
Each year, the committee elect three people from the original committee into an executive committee that includes by default the President, Vice President, Treasurer of the club, and Secretary. The executive committee are allowed to manage the affairs of the club and make day-to-day decisions without prior consultation with the Full Committee. The Executive Committee is answerable to the Full Committee.
Fixtures was split into two roles from the 2019/20 season – National League & BUCS Fixtures and East District Fixtures.
Website and Publicity were combined into one role from the 2019/20 season. In the 2022/23 season, the role was split again to accommodate the growing demands of the role and the club.
The 2022/23 Season saw three new positions – Welfare, Scholar Representative, and Goalkeeper Representative – added to the committee as well as the introduction of an 8XI captain to take over the newly formed 8th XI team.
After two extremely tough seasons for Vice Presidents, Jack Mead and Callum Alexander, following the COVID-19 Pandemic, it was decided the role's responsibilities were to be reviewed. The full responsibility for umpire assignments and development was passed to a new Head of Umpiring position created for the 2023/24 season, allowing future Vice Presidents to focus more on general club management.
For the 2024/25 Season onward, the Executive Committee was restructured to include the Social Secretary and the Welfare Secretary as well as the President, Vice President, Treasurer of the club, and Secretary by default, leaving a single voted position open from the general committee. The Executive Committee size remains at 7.
Season | President | Vice President | Secretary | Treasurer | Sponsorship | Head of Umpiring | National League & BUCS Fixtures | East District Fixtures | Kit | Publicity | Website | Charity | Social | Intramural & Alumni | Tour | Welfare | Diversity | Goalkeeper Representative | Scholar Representative | 1XI Captain | 2XI Captain | 3XI Captain | 4XI Captain | 5XI Captain | 6XI Captain | 7XI Captain | 8XI Captain |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2004/05 | Joe McHenry | Position did not exist | Chris Annan | Keith Reid | Adam Rudd | Position did not exist | Tom Crill | Niall Carter | Gareth McLorn | Frank Pillukeit | Position did not exist | Simon Johnston | Position did not exist | Mike Arkley | Position did not exist | Position did not exist | Position did not exist | Position did not exist | Rob Kinder | Jamie Latimer | Andrew Emerson | Tom Hamilton | Matt Smith | Nick Brown | Position did not exist | Position did not exist | |
2005/06 | Mike Arkley | Henry Wyld | Matt Smith | Andy Emerson | Tom Hamilton | Nicky Brown | Rupert Barker | Iain Robb | Joe Gray | Gareth McLorn | Paddy Thorburn | Chris Annan | Charlie Crouther | ||||||||||||||
2006/07 | Simon Johnston | Henry Middleton | Matt McCluckie | Tom Hamilton | James Maurice | Niall Carter | Nick Dawnay | Andy Emerson | Richard “Titch” Hughes | Ed Lines | JP Campbell | Joe Gray | “Staples” Smith | Alan Pedgrift | James Cook | Derek Thomas | |||||||||||
2007/08 | Patrick Thorburn | Thomas Hamilton | Thomas Pritchard | Niall Carter | Graeme Stapleton | Dereck Thomas | George Holdstock | Simon Sampson | Barry Carmichael | Rupert Barker | Peter Ghosh | Joe Gray | Richard McCorkell | Rory Mackenzie | Titch Hughes | Michael Smailes | Jasper Mogg | Tim Evans | |||||||||
2008/09 | Graeme Stapelton | Dereck Thomas | Craig Thurtell | Andrew Wiersum | George Holdstock | Duncan Birse | Kylan Pathmanathan | Sam Trett | Will Butler | David Munn | Dan Finch-Race | Will Butler | Simon Sampson | Alan Robb | Tom Auden | Tom Prichard | Harry Eustace | Sam Hamspon | Chris Fabien | ||||||||
2009/10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2010/11 | Sam Trett | Michael Henderson-Sowerby | Tom Nevill | Kylan Pathmanathan | Peter Rutherford | Tom Bodeker | Michael Fenelon | Sam Hampson | Nick Brown | Rob Hill & Will O'Brien | Fraser Murphey | Dave Munn | David Forrester | Ben Tracey | Calum Deas | Jonnie Davies | Josh Robinson | Alex Fiennes | Ewan Frost-Pennington | ||||||||
2011/12 | Michael Henderson-Sowerby | David Forrester | Blair Paul | Tom Nevill | Tom Swarbrick | Scott Duncan | Johnny Davis | Adam Banks | Chris Barrett | Archie Burt | Hamish Kinnea | Stuart Fraser | Calum Duke | Conor Bond | Rob Hill | Stevie Sedgwick | Matt Holroyd | Peter Rutherford | Gavin Peebles | ||||||||
2012/13 | Conor Bond | Tom King | Will Eden | Scott Duncan | Jack McGowan | Alex Fiennes | Aswin Nair | Ben Walker | Mark Portnell | Matt Holroyd | Vijay Trivedy & Stevie Sedgwick | Jacob Quibell | Tom Swarbrick | Stuart Fraser | Ben Brooks | Adam Banks | Calum MacRae | Calum Adamson | Euan Craig | ||||||||
2013/14 | Scott Duncan | Ben Brooks | Peter Bottomley | Calum Adamson | Piers Wates | Ruairi Gillespie | Ewan Craig | Will Eden | Aedan McCrossan | Tom Fishley | Jazim Sohail | George Adams | Craig McCrossan | Jack McGowan | Ben Tombling | Fraser MacLeod | Andy Brown | Robert Taylor | Dan Sethi | ||||||||
2014/15 | Ben Brooks | Ewan Craig | Calum Adamson | Ruairi Gillespie | Matthew Linley-Adams | Will Needham | Jonathan Lamb | George Adams | Charlie Murray | Edward Fyson | Andrew Sadler | Finlay Walker | Tom Kemsley | Sam Hayes | Dan Thurman | Felix Claridge | Thomas Ralston | Henry Melville | Chris O'Bryan | ||||||||
2015/16 | Calum Adamson | Ruairi Gillespie | Jonathan Lamb | Edward Fyson | George Adams | Tom Mourant | Guy Allen | Freddie Armston-Clark | Jakim Berndsen | Henry Melville | Harry Scott | Aedan Mccrossan | Euan Christie | Ross Morrison | Oscar Allitt | Tom Marchant | James Bromley | Floris Balm | |||||||||
2016/17 | Jonathan Lamb | Euan Christie | Tom Marchant | Ross Morrison | Harry Scott | Liam Geach | Ruaraidh Campbell | George Simmonds | Angus Sandison | Harrison Kirby | Joe Taylor | Angus Rogers | Henry Melville | Gordon Amour | Charlie Cook | Jack Preece | Luke Perkins | Gavin Minty | Roshan Das | Ed Harris | |||||||
2017/18 | Harry Scott | Tom Marchant | Ruaraidh Campbell | Roshan Das | George Simonds | Angus Rogers | Sam Robertson | Matthew Taylor | Jack Friend | Gavin Minty | Jack Preece | Connor Overstone | Paul de Melliac | Alan Oldham | Monty Kilpatrick | Freddie Filor | Adam Montgomery | Zubin Roy | George Tuckwell | Henry Cugley | |||||||
2018/19 | George Simonds | Ruaraidh Campbell | Roshan Das | Zubin Roy | Matthew Taylor | Sam Mallace | Murdo Lunn | Peter McKnight | Henry Cugley | Connor Overstone | Freddie Baker | George Tuckwell | Jack Preece | Sam Robertson | Ben Carrington | Rory Cadbury | Alex Tear | Joseph Demetrios | Daniel Gallant | Jacques Taylor | |||||||
2019/20 | Zubin Roy | Joseph Demetrios | Murdo Lunn | Peter McKnight | Ali Burnett | Sam Mallace | Tobias Loeff | George Tuckwell | Jamie Fosker | Rob Hewett | Alex Tear | Alex Johnson | Matt White | David Mawhinney | Angus Muir | Harry Heap | Jack Mead | Charlie Clague | Stephen Demery | Andy Hulmes | |||||||
2020/21 | Joseph Demetrios | Jamie Fosker | Charlie Clague | Tobias Loeff | Stephen Demery | Alex Johnson | Benedict King | Sam MacLellan | Angus Muir | Jonty Park | Sonny Erskine | Jack Mead | Alex Tear | Jack Jamieson | Archie Trevor | Sam Reid | Patrick Boyle | Zak Mansuri | Tom Kitchen | Robert Zhan | |||||||
2021/22
(The Golden Season) |
Tobias Loeff | Jack Mead | Martin Rose | Alex Johnson | Hamish Walker | Callum Groeger | Robert Zhan | Sam Kelso | Callum Alexander | Joe Woodhead | Sonny Erskine (e) | Joe Hutcheson | Ben Pearson (e) | Robbie Croll | Jack Cahalin | Ted Porter | Patrick Boyle | Hugh Davidson | Fraser Robertson / Stuart Head | Alex Watson (e) | |||||||
2022/23 | Alex Johnson | Callum Alexander | Joe Hutcheson | Robert Zhan | Ben Wilson | Florian Garland-Hoff | Ed Bury | Ross Fleming | Ethan Law | Jack Cahalin | Ted Porter | Freddie Coghill | Alistair Heading (e) | James Taylor | Stuart Head | Aazim Mur | Charlie Gates | Robbie Croll (e) | Iain McFadden | Hamish Walker (e) | Josh Wiggins | Peter Sinclair | Ed Ramsden | Harry Sherwin | Dax Triall | Patrick Wither | |
2023/24 | Ted Porter | Florian Garland-Hoff | Dax Traill | Hamish Walker | Clemens Probst | Ed Bury (e) | Max Hamilton | Archie Jackson | Harry Sherwin | Ethan Law | Morgan Daniel | Toby Hofer | Cameron Robson (e) | Jamie Law | James Woods (e) | Tom Cahalin | Kyran Pender | George Strevens | Jamie Croll | Keir Robb | Finn Herbert | Louis Vanlint | Asher Petit1 /Tadhg Jones | Seb Garnet | Sam Bakshalian | George Penny | No position |
2024/25 | Florian Garland-Hoff | Seb Garnett | Freddie Kelly-Greaves | Morgan Daniel | George Paine | Ben Burton | Tom Anderson | Rupert Hutton | Charlie Cowan | Tom Annen | Alex Jones | Ali Yaqoob | Archie Cockburn | Aghassi McClellan | Andrea Agostini | Ethan Law | Cameron Patterson | Tom Crawford | Jamie Croll | Declan Bradley | Tom Steingold | Julien Aglionby | Edmund Hartley | Henry Wheeler | Gregor MacKay | Toby Logan | data-sort-value="" style="background: var(--background-color-interactive, #ececec); color: var(--color-base, inherit); vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-na" | No position |
- Voted Executive Committee members denoted with (e)
- 1 Asher Petit stood down from 4th XI captaincy early in the season due to long term injury. Was replaced by Tadhg Jones as 4th XI Captain.
Notable clubmen
editCurrent and former international representatives
editThe following list are players who have represented their country and level during their time as members of Edinburgh University Men's Hockey Club, or represented shortly after leaving the club.
- Graham Moodie , - Great Britain, Scotland (Senior) [16]
- Alistair McGregor , - Great Britain, Scotland (Senior)
- Stephen Dick , - Great Britain, Scotland (Senior, U21)
- Callum Duke - Scotland (Senior and U21) [17]
- David Forrester - Scotland (Senior & U21)
- Neil Fulton - Scotland (U21)
- Aedan McCrossan - Scotland (U18)
- S.P Theobald , - Great Britain, Scotland (Senior)
- T.P Caverhill - Scotland (Senior)
- Frank Fasson - Scotland (Senior)
- Iain Moodie - Scotland (Senior)
- Daniel Coultas , - Scotland (Senior), Great Britain
- Antonis Efthymiou - Cyprus (Senior)
- Christodoulos Karankannas - Cyprus (Senior)
- Gordon Amour - Scotland (U21)
- James Wong - Scotland (Senior and U21)
- Ben Pearson - Scotland (U21)
- Jack Jamieson - Scotland (U21)
- David Mawhinney - Republic of Ireland (U21)
- Robbie Croll , - Scotland (Senior and U21), Great Britain (U23 Elite Development Program)
- Hamish Imrie - Scotland (Senior)
- Martin Rose - Scotland (U21)
- Keir Robb - Scotland (Senior and U21)
- Iain McFadden - Scotland (Senior & U21)
- John Stephen - Scotland (U21, Senior Indoor)
- Constantinos Stylianou - Cyprus (Senior)
- Ritchie McCluskey - Scotland (U21 and U18)
- Jamie Croll , - Scotland (U21), Great Britain (U23 Elite Development Program)
- Alex Wilson - Scotland (U21)
- Johnny Bradley - Scotland (U18)
- Sam Hunt - Scotland (U18)
- Rory Steedman - Scotland (U18)
- Callum Douglas , - Scotland (Senior), Great Britain (U23 Elite Development Program)
- Alexander Marsland - Scotland (U18)
- Andrew Lobb - Scotland (U18)
- Henry Porter - Scotland (U18)
- Matthew Taylor - Scotland (Senior)
Blues recipients
editAwarded by the Edinburgh University Sports Union to the university's top sportsmen and those who have performed to a consistently high level for Edinburgh University Men's Hockey Club.[18]
Colours recipients
editClubmen awarded Sporting Colours by the Edinburgh University Sports Union for outstanding service to Edinburgh University Men's Hockey Club.[19] Note from the 2022/23 season onwards, Sports Union criteria for Colours focused heavily on exceptional performance in service roles rather than length or position of service, making reception of Colours more difficult.
Club Award winners
editThe Club Awards are awarded internally to distinguished clubmen at the club's annual end-of-season Hockey Ball.
Season | Player of the Year | Most Improved Player of the Year | Goalkeeper of the Year | Club Top Goalscorer of the year | Dick of the Year | The Jack Mead Umpire of the Year Award | First-Year of the Year | Sports Personality of the Year | The Eugene Connolly Lifetime Achievement Award | Outstanding Contribution to the Club | Coach of the Year | Team of the Year | Slowest Pint Award |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019/20 | Adam Shiret (3s) | Andrew George (2s/3s) | Ralph Hubbard (6s) | Jazim Sohail (3s)
[23 goals] |
Matt White (1s) | Adam Stevenson (4s) | Jonty Park (6s) | Hugh Davidson (5s) | Eugene Connolly (Director of Hockey) | Alistair Burnett (6s) [Sponsorship] | Matt White & Ewen Mackie (3s Coaches) | 3rd XI | Not awarded |
2020/21 | No Awards given due to the COVID-19 Pandemic | ||||||||||||
2021/22
(The Golden Season) |
Will Warner (2s) | Ross Fleming (1s/2s) | Alex Johnson (2s/3s) | Kyran Pender (5s)
[50 goals] |
Tom Wheeler (2s) | Jim van der Slujis (3s) | James Taylor (3s) | Ted Porter (3s) | Jazim Sohail (3s) | Callum Alexander (7s) [Website & Publicity] | Matt White & Ben Pearson (3s Coaches) | 3rd XI | Hamish Walker (2s) |
2022/23 | Newman Caddies (2s) | Daniel Aje (7s) | Charlie Gates (1s) | Keir Robb (1s) [26 goals] | Jamie Croll (1s) | Peter Sinclair (4s) | Archie Jackson (2s) | James Wood (7s) | Robert Zhan (6s) | Joe Hutcheson (6s) [Secretary] | Ewen Mackie (2s coach) | 2nd XI | Not awarded |
2023/24 | No Awards as there was no Ball because certain individuals hate fun |
Player Records
editRecord | Clubman | Details |
---|---|---|
Top Goalscorer
(All-time) |
Jazim Sohail | 152 goals
(2012/13 - 2021/22) |
Top Goalscorer
(single season) |
Kyran Pender | 50 goals
(2021/22) |
Longest serving member | Jazim Sohail | 2012/13 - 2021/22; 9 seasons at the club (single season break) |
Longest serving committee member | Alex Johnson | 4 years
(2019/20 - 2022/23) |
Most decorated club member | Alex Johnson | 10 playing titles, 2 individual awards (Goalkeeper of the Year 2021/22 & EUSU Colours) - 12 Total
(2017/18 - 2022/23) |
Most decorated coach | Bill Robson | 5 titles
(2017/18 - 2021/22) |
Most clean sheets as a goalkeeper
(single season) |
Alex Johnson | |
Most clean sheets as a goalkeeper
(All-time) |
Alex Johnson | |
Most games umpired on behalf of the club
(single season) |
Asher Petit | 35 games
(2023/24) |
Most games umpired on behalf of the club
(All-time) |
Callum Alexander | 58 games
(2019/20 - 2023/24) |
Fastest pint
(All-time) |
Jaro Osten | Less than 2 seconds |
All statistics are correct as of record collection beginning January 2022.
Honours
edit- BUSA Scottish Conference League Trophy 1A (2004/05)
- BUSA Scottish Conference League 2A (2005/06)
- BUCS National Vase (2021/22, 2022/23)
- BUCS Scotland 1 (2008/09, 2009/10, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2021/22, 2022/23)
- BUCS Scotland 2 (2008/09, 2011/12, 2014/15, 2021/22)
- BUCS Scotland 3 (2012/13)
- BUCS Scotland 4 (2010/11, 2014/15)
- BUCS Scotland 5 (2013/14)
- BUCS Hockey Trophy (2017/18)
- BUCS Scottish Conference Cup (2021/22, 2023/24)
- Scottish Plate (2023/24)
- Scottish District Cup (2021/22, 2023/24)
- Scottish Reserve Cup (2017/18, 2021/22, 2023/24)
- Scottish Reserve Plate (2017/18)
- Scottish Central 1 League (2018/19)
- Scottish Regional League (2021/22)
- Scottish Regional 1 League (2023/24)
- Scottish East District 1 (2021/22)
- Scottish Student Athlete of the Year Award
- Stephen Dick (2009)
- EUSU Vancouver Quaich for the most distinguished male athletic performance
- Donald McFarlane (1985/86)
- Daniel Williams (1987/88)
- Mark Raphael (1997/98)
- Stephen Dick (2007/08)
- EUSU Capt S.T. Garner Trophy for the first-year student who makes the most outstanding contribution to University sport
- Daniel Williams (1984/85)
- EUSU Alan Chainey Award for long standing service to University sport
- Mark Happer (2003/04)
- Eugene Connelly (2016/17)
- Graham Moodie (2021/22)
- EUSU Coach of the Year
- Dennis Hay (2008/09)
- EUSU Alex Currie Award for the most inspirational performance of the year
- Edinburgh University Men's Hockey Club 3rd XI (2021/22)
- EUSU Executive Committee Awards to individuals for major services to their Club and/or to University sports
- Peter Lyall (1982/83)
- Gordon Galloway (1983/84)
- Peter Fowlie (1984/85)
- Lilan Monahan (1984/85)
- Mark Loughlin (1985/86)
- Jamie MacLennan (1987/88)
- Iain Turnbull (1988/89)
- Alastair MacEwen (1994/95)
- Sam Seddon (1995/96)
- Richard Davies (1999/00)
- Gareth Tenner (2002/03)
- Sam Trett (2010/11)
- Michael Henderson-Sowerby (2011/12)
- George Simonds (2018/19)
- EUSU Neil Campbell Shield for outstanding sports organisation and services
- Jamie MacLennan (1988/89)
- EUSU Livingstone Trophy for the most outstanding expeditionary achievement (1988/89, 1992/93)
- EUSU Pavilion Association Cup for the best Club publicity record of the year (1985/86, 2009/10)
- EUSU Lillywhite Shield for the most outstanding Club of the year (1985/86, 1986/87, 1987/88)
The Kenny Rogers 1901 Trophy
editOther names | EUMHC Leavers vs Returners Match |
---|---|
Sport | Field Hockey |
Teams |
|
First meeting | 29 March 2023; 1 year, 237 days ago |
Next meeting | March 2025 |
Stadiums | The Cauldron, Peffermill Playing Fields, Edinburgh |
Trophy | The Kenny Rogers 1901 Trophy, and a single 275ml VK to be shared amongst the winning side. |
The Kenny Rogers 1901 Trophy is the interclub trophy awarded to the winner of EUMHC's annual Leavers vs Returners match, which was introduced in the 2022/23 season. Leavers are classified as current clubmen not returning to the club the following season due to university graduation; Returners are classified as current clubmen returning to the club the following season.
The trophy fixture was introduced as a replacement for the Edinburgh Varsity fixture that used to be played with Heriot-Watt, until the fixture's popularity dropped. The EUMHC Leavers play in the club's away kit (red); the EUMHC Returners play in the club's home kit (green).
The Trophy is named after the widely known singer of the club's unofficial anthem (The Gambler (song)) - "Kenny Rogers", and the date, 1901, marks the calendar year the club was founded. A Game of Fives between the two captains is used to decide who will take pushback, with the Leavers deciding the shotgun call. Running penalties/shuttles replace penalty corners in-game.
Results summary
edit
|
|
Year | Date | Winner | Score | Stadium and location | Leavers Captain | Returners Captain | Holder (aggregate times held) | Match Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | 29 March | EUMHC Leavers | 7-5 | The Cauldron, Peffermill Playing Fields, Edinburgh | Alex Johnson
(Outgoing President) |
Hamish Walker
(Incoming Treasurer) |
EUMHC Leavers (2) | |
2024 | 1 May | EUMHC Leavers | 7-6 | The Cauldron, Peffermill Playing Fields, Edinburgh | Ted Porter
(Outgoing President) |
Freddie Kelly-Greaves
(Incoming Secretary) |
The Returners were spotted with 15 players on the field at one instance. They still lost. |
Exeter Fives
editYear | Date | Final Matchup | Winner-loser | Winning Call | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2013 | February | Max Abbot v Stuart Broad | Max Abbot | Ten | First Exeter Fives |
2014 | |||||
2015 | |||||
2016 | |||||
2017 | |||||
2018 | March | Fergus Clarke | |||
2019 | March | Jack Amsden v James Allen | James Allen | Spuds | |
2020 | No event hosted due to the COVID-19 Pandemic | ||||
2021 | October | Luc Crompton v Dax Traill | Dax Trail | Five | Exeter Fives cancelled in the 19/20 and 20/21 season due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, end destination was Bristol instead of Exeter and played between 2nd & 3rd year club members who missed the opportunity to participate in their first years at the club. Event named 'Bristol Fives'. |
2022 | March | Harvey Homer v Tadhg Jones | Harvey Homer | Five | |
2023 | January | Tomas Turjanica v Alex Findlay | Tomas Turjanica | Five | 10th Anniversary event |
2024 | February 14 | Oscar Rudd v Ollie Hobdell | Ollie Hobdell | Spuds | Rudd successfully came back from having four hands to winning on Spuds. |
Club songs and chants
edit"The Gambler" by Kenny Rogers [20]
Baywatch Theme [20]
"Stay Another Day" by East 17 [20]
"Don't Stop Believing" by Journey[20]
"Angels" by Robbie Williams
Country Roads
Ben Pearson is the best on Earth (2022) - Heaven is a place on Earth
Oh uni, do you know what it's worth,
Ben Pearson is the best on Earth,
The silky Scotsman is just who we need,
He won BUCS Gold for Edinburgh Threes,
Na na na na, na na na na na,
na na na na, na na na na na
See also
editReferences
editThe story of Edinburgh University Athletic Club edited by Colonel C.M.Usher. Published in 1966.
- ^ http://www.euhc.co.uk/men/about.php Archived 7 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine About- EUHC - Edinburgh University Men's Hockey Club
- ^ http://www.euhc.co.uk/men/contact.php Archived 7 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine Contact - EUMHC - Edinburgh University Men's Hockey Club
- ^ http://www.euhc.co.uk/men/about.php Archived 7 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine About- EUHC - Edinburgh University Hockey Club
- ^ http://www.euhc.co.uk/men/sponsors.php?s=1[permanent dead link ] Club Sponsors - Edinburgh University Hockey Club
- ^ Hunter, Morag (13 September 2022). "Gibson Kerr sponsors UK's largest men's university sports club". Gibson Kerr. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
- ^ "Law firm Gibson Kerr on the case with sponsorship of major hockey club". www.scotsman.com. 13 September 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
- ^ Usher, C.M (1966). The Story of Edinburgh University Athletic Club. UK.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ http://www.scottish-hockey.org.uk/competitions/league-competitions/subway-eat-fresh-men-nl-division-1.aspx?leaguename=SUBWAY%20Eat%20Fresh%20Men%20NL%20Division%201&poolname=&location=0 Archived 4 July 2012 at the Wayback Machine Final Standings - Scottish Hockey
- ^ http://www.bucs.org.uk/bucscore/TeamProfile.aspx?id=2151&sport=Hockey&institution=Edinburgh Archived 28 August 2014 at the Wayback Machine Final Standings - British Universities & Colleges Sport
- ^ http://www.bucs.org.uk/bucscore/TeamProfile.aspx?id=2152&sport=Hockey&institution=Edinburgh Archived 28 August 2014 at the Wayback Machine Final Standings 2A - British Universities & Colleges Sport
- ^ "Fond farewells and new beginnings". The University of Edinburgh. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
- ^ "Edinburgh University men claim BUCS Vase title". Scottish Hockey. 24 March 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
- ^ "EUMHC 1s promoted to BUCS Premier National for the first time ever! - The Lobster Theory is proven". Edinburgh University Men's Hockey Club. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
- ^ "Edinburgh join university elite". Scottish Hockey. 13 April 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
- ^ "Western Wildcats secure an incredible treble by lifting the Men's Scottish Cup". Scottish Hockey. 14 May 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
- ^ http://www.ed.ac.uk/news/staff/moodie-190809 Archived 23 December 2012 at archive.today Graham Moodie Appointed 1st XI Coach - Edinburgh University
- ^ http://www.scottish-hockey.org.uk/2012/may-2012/scots-set-for-spanish-tests-in-terressa.aspx Archived 4 July 2012 at the Wayback Machine Scots Set for Spanish test in Terressa - Scottish Hockey
- ^ "Men's Hockey". www.eusu.ed.ac.uk. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ "Men's Hockey". www.eusu.ed.ac.uk. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Edinburgh University Hockey Club - Mens". 23 January 2013. Archived from the original on 23 January 2013.