Inverleith hockey club
Encyclopedia
The Inverleith Hockey Club was formed in 1917 by staff at the North British Rubber Co., Fountainbridge
(now the Scottish & Newcastle
Brewery). Being in war-time reserved occupations matches were played against other local factory and hospital teams. The team was named after their first ground: Inverleith
. Until the onset of World War II
, in 1939, the club fielded two teams. A nomadic existence found them playing at Murrayfield
(now the headquarters of the Scottish Rugby Union
), Drylaw
Mains and other public parks.
In 1922 a player called Thackwray featured twice for Scotland
and Frank Morris, an original member, played in goal for Scotland in 14 matches between 1926–32 and was reckoned to be the best goalkeeper in the British Isles
. The only matches played at the time were against England, Ireland and Wales. Hockey effectively closed down during World War II and it was not until 1947 that Leon Veitch and some other pre-war players revived the club, starting only with 10 players. By 1958, Inverleith
had 4 teams and too many players. To help with fixtures, the 2nd XI was renamed the Nomads. However, this surplus of talent spurred the club to assist in the formation of 2 other Edinburgh clubs: Edinburgh Civil Service (now Edinburgh Hockey Club); and Broughton
School FP (now Waverley-Inveresk-Trinity) whose initial teams featured ex-Inverleith players.
District League hockey was officially sanctioned in the 1950s and the 1st XI, for almost fifteen years (1954–1969), dominated East District hockey with the reserve teams also winning their respective leagues on several occasions. The 1st XI at this time was in fact regarded as probably the strongest team in Scotland and at one time in the sixties fielded 9 full internationalists and 2 final trialists in the team. Ironically, Edinburgh Civil Service then became the dominant force in Scottish Club hockey (both outdoor and indoor) for almost the next two decades, supported by recruits from Leith Academy
, a strong school at the time.
Although Inverleith never won the National League title, the Scottish Cup was won in 1968 and 1975, being losing finalists in 1966, 1971, 1973, 2006 and 2009. Having won the cup in 1975, the Club represented Scotland in the European Club Championships held in Amsterdam the following year. Three of those who played in the Championships (Lee Cousins, Jim Douglas and Ally Philip) are still with the Club, the team manager, Ian McLeod, umpires.
Up until the late 80's, the club's international players were: Tommy Allan (8 caps); John MacMinn (3); Stuart MacMinn (John's son) (6); Ken Dick (68 & Scotland Captain); Norman Porter (11); Denis Hay (62); Ken Hay (31); Francis Barnes (16); Tom Hay (72); Andy Hay (35); Dougie Hay (2); Neil Buxton; and Derek Batchelor. In the 90's, Kerr Thomson (9) and Martin Pearson (2). Denis Hay played in the 1972 Olympics and Ken Dick played for GB in 1976 and these two, plus Tom and Andy Hay, also played for Scotland indoors. In the 70's, the 1st XI were fortunate to be captained by Stewart McNulty (64 Irish caps) and later by Peter Ewles who played for Scotland while a member of Edinburgh Civil Service and, like Denis Hay, played for GB in the 1972 Olympics.
In more recent times, the current men's first XI captain Stephen Dick
represented GB in the Beijing Olympics where GB finished 5th while youth stars Andrew Sinclair and Christoper Grassick have both been involved in GB youth olympics squads.
The Club also produced international umpires in Ian McLeod, Neil Buxton, Ernie Wall, Bill Denny and Martin Campbell and also Peter Rendle, Alastair Page and Bill Henderson. Wall and Campbell were also FIH badged indoor international umpires (FIH badged). The club has also provided officials for both the Scottish Hockey Union
and the East District. Ernie Wall was awarded the OBE for services to Scottish and International Hockey in 1982.
Inverleith continue to maintain their ethic of youth development to further the club's growth and achievements. Good examples of such youth development is the Lion and Tiger U14 teams. The First team continue to find success on the pitch maintaining a top 5 finish in National Division 1 for the last four seasons. We also continue to supply many of the players and coaches for Scotland's international hockey squads at all age groups. Indeed, the 2006 Commonwealth Games
Men's hockey squad contains a number of current and previous Inverleith players: Stephen Dick
, Adam MacKenzie
, Derek Salmond, Allan Dick
and Graham Moodie
. In playing terms, the 1st XI form in the 80's and 90's fluctuated between the National League Divisions, going down to Division III at one stage, but fighting back to present National 1 status. The first team have in recent years maintained a respectable finish in the 04/05 (4th), 05/06 (5th), 06/07 (3rd) and 07/08 (4th) seasons whilst a new crop of youngsters are brought into the highest level of the club. The reserve teams have done reasonably well, winning the odd cup and East League competitions and a strong youth section augurs well for the future. The U/18 Boys Team was RAF Scottish Champions from 1998 to 2002. In 2003 they were beaten finalists against Kelburne losing narrowly 1 - 2. Unfortunately during the 5 years in a row, Inverleith received limited recognition from the Hockey Authorities and to this day it is unlikely that this feat will ever be completed again.
Inverleith now play their games at Currie High School (with the Men's First XI playing and training at Peffermill) but sincee WWII have played at such diverse places as Redford Barracks, Castlebrae School, Frogston, Meadowbank
and Saughton
artificial surfaces.
At the start of the 05/06 season Inverleith Hockey Club merged with Forrester Ladies Hockey Club and then with Heriot-Watt University Hockey Club two seasons later. The broad range of teams, playing at a variety of levels, enables players of all standards to enjoy hockey at the club
Nomads
Inverleith A Team
Inverleith B Team
Inverleith Development Squad
Men's First Indoor Team
Nomads Indoor Team
Ladies A Team
Ladies B Team
Ladies Nat Indoor
Ladies East Indoor
Inverleith also have a wide range of youth teams for example the newly formed U16 boys team which star the likes of the Craigmount stiking duo of Murray Headrick and Thomas Barton, Kiwi goalkeeper Charlie Posnett and players Chris Mackenzie and Aedan Mcrossan. The team have had limited success this year (2009/10) but have recorded a 6 - 1, 7 - 0 and 6 - 0 wins and have kept some good opposition at bay with some great double and triple saves from goalkeeper Charlie who got save of the tournament with an against the odds 3 on one save. These outstanding goalkeeping performances got Charlie the coveted players player of the tournament award and a place in the Scotland Development Squad. The U16 boys team made their first appearance in the Scottish Cup in the 2009/10 and got to the finals where they came third, in front of the team to beat - Kelburne.
National League Division 1 - 3rd
Scottish Cup - Runners Up
Indoor National League Division 1 - 2nd
Indoor Cup - Runner Up
Ladies first XI
National League Division 3 - 5th
Indoor National League Division 2 - Champions
Other notable results:
Ladies 2's winning East Prem
Ladies 2's winning East district plate
Ladies 2's winning district league trophy
Ladies 2's Indoor East District Cup - Semi Finalists
Ladies 2's Indoor East District League 3 - Champions
Nomads reaching district cup final
Nomads finishing 4th in league
Men's B team winning East Division 3
in the second last game of the season with goals from striker Thomas Barton and Midfielder Struan Hope
Notable Player Awards
U16 Boys Scottish Cup save of the tournament - Charlie Posnett
U16 Boys Players Player of the Tournament - Charlie Posnett
Fountainbridge
Fountainbridge is an area of Edinburgh, Scotland, a short distance west of the city centre, adjoining Tollcross to the east, Bruntsfield to the south, Dalry to the west and Haymarket to the north....
(now the Scottish & Newcastle
Scottish & Newcastle
Scottish & Newcastle plc was a "long alcoholic drinks" company with positions in 15 countries, including UK, France and Russia. It was headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. In the last 20 years, S&N expanded significantly from its home base to become an international business with beer...
Brewery). Being in war-time reserved occupations matches were played against other local factory and hospital teams. The team was named after their first ground: Inverleith
Inverleith
Inverleith is an inner suburb in the northern part of Edinburgh, Scotland, on the fringes of the central region of the city. It is an affluent suburb. Its neighbours include Trinity to the north and the New Town to the south, with Canonmills at the south-east and Stockbridge at the south-west...
. Until the onset of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, in 1939, the club fielded two teams. A nomadic existence found them playing at Murrayfield
Murrayfield Stadium
Murrayfield Stadium is a sports stadium located in the west end of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. Its all-seater capacity was recently reduced from 67,800 to 67,130 to incorporate the largest permanent "big screen" in the country though it still remains the largest stadium in Scotland and one...
(now the headquarters of the Scottish Rugby Union
Scottish Rugby Union
The Scottish Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in Scotland. It is the second oldest Rugby Union, having been founded in 1873, as the Scottish Football Union.-History:...
), Drylaw
Drylaw
Drylaw is a suburb in the north west of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland between Blackhall and Granton. Formerly the estate of Drylaw House, the home of the Loch family, the area became the site of a major housing scheme in the 1950s designed to rehouse the occupants in Leith. It is on the A902...
Mains and other public parks.
In 1922 a player called Thackwray featured twice for Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
and Frank Morris, an original member, played in goal for Scotland in 14 matches between 1926–32 and was reckoned to be the best goalkeeper in the British Isles
British Isles
The British Isles are a group of islands off the northwest coast of continental Europe that include the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and over six thousand smaller isles. There are two sovereign states located on the islands: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and...
. The only matches played at the time were against England, Ireland and Wales. Hockey effectively closed down during World War II and it was not until 1947 that Leon Veitch and some other pre-war players revived the club, starting only with 10 players. By 1958, Inverleith
Inverleith
Inverleith is an inner suburb in the northern part of Edinburgh, Scotland, on the fringes of the central region of the city. It is an affluent suburb. Its neighbours include Trinity to the north and the New Town to the south, with Canonmills at the south-east and Stockbridge at the south-west...
had 4 teams and too many players. To help with fixtures, the 2nd XI was renamed the Nomads. However, this surplus of talent spurred the club to assist in the formation of 2 other Edinburgh clubs: Edinburgh Civil Service (now Edinburgh Hockey Club); and Broughton
Broughton, Edinburgh
Broughton is an ancient feudal barony today within the City of Edinburgh, Scotland that was once known for its witchcraft. Its borders are defined, approximately, as being Leith Walk in the south east, Broughton Street in the south west, Broughton Road in the north west and McDonald Road in the...
School FP (now Waverley-Inveresk-Trinity) whose initial teams featured ex-Inverleith players.
District League hockey was officially sanctioned in the 1950s and the 1st XI, for almost fifteen years (1954–1969), dominated East District hockey with the reserve teams also winning their respective leagues on several occasions. The 1st XI at this time was in fact regarded as probably the strongest team in Scotland and at one time in the sixties fielded 9 full internationalists and 2 final trialists in the team. Ironically, Edinburgh Civil Service then became the dominant force in Scottish Club hockey (both outdoor and indoor) for almost the next two decades, supported by recruits from Leith Academy
Leith Academy
Leith Academy is a state school in Leith, Edinburgh. It currently educates around 1,000 pupils and around 2,800 part time adult learners.The former headteacher, Sandy Mcauley, resigned in 2008; Jack M Simpson was appointed headteacher in September 2008....
, a strong school at the time.
Although Inverleith never won the National League title, the Scottish Cup was won in 1968 and 1975, being losing finalists in 1966, 1971, 1973, 2006 and 2009. Having won the cup in 1975, the Club represented Scotland in the European Club Championships held in Amsterdam the following year. Three of those who played in the Championships (Lee Cousins, Jim Douglas and Ally Philip) are still with the Club, the team manager, Ian McLeod, umpires.
Up until the late 80's, the club's international players were: Tommy Allan (8 caps); John MacMinn (3); Stuart MacMinn (John's son) (6); Ken Dick (68 & Scotland Captain); Norman Porter (11); Denis Hay (62); Ken Hay (31); Francis Barnes (16); Tom Hay (72); Andy Hay (35); Dougie Hay (2); Neil Buxton; and Derek Batchelor. In the 90's, Kerr Thomson (9) and Martin Pearson (2). Denis Hay played in the 1972 Olympics and Ken Dick played for GB in 1976 and these two, plus Tom and Andy Hay, also played for Scotland indoors. In the 70's, the 1st XI were fortunate to be captained by Stewart McNulty (64 Irish caps) and later by Peter Ewles who played for Scotland while a member of Edinburgh Civil Service and, like Denis Hay, played for GB in the 1972 Olympics.
In more recent times, the current men's first XI captain Stephen Dick
Stephen Dick
Stephen Dick is a Scottish field hockey player who plays as a forward.Competing for Scotland and Great Britain at numerous tournaments, he is representing Great Britain in Field hockey at the 2008 Summer Olympics. He has 68 caps representing Scotland and 24 caps representing Great Britain as of 11...
represented GB in the Beijing Olympics where GB finished 5th while youth stars Andrew Sinclair and Christoper Grassick have both been involved in GB youth olympics squads.
The Club also produced international umpires in Ian McLeod, Neil Buxton, Ernie Wall, Bill Denny and Martin Campbell and also Peter Rendle, Alastair Page and Bill Henderson. Wall and Campbell were also FIH badged indoor international umpires (FIH badged). The club has also provided officials for both the Scottish Hockey Union
Scottish Hockey Union
The Scottish Hockey Union, commonly referred to simply as Scottish Hockey or the SHU, is the national governing body for the sport of field hockey in Scotland. It is the SHU's responsibility to help provide for the development, promotion and management of hockey in Scotland...
and the East District. Ernie Wall was awarded the OBE for services to Scottish and International Hockey in 1982.
Inverleith continue to maintain their ethic of youth development to further the club's growth and achievements. Good examples of such youth development is the Lion and Tiger U14 teams. The First team continue to find success on the pitch maintaining a top 5 finish in National Division 1 for the last four seasons. We also continue to supply many of the players and coaches for Scotland's international hockey squads at all age groups. Indeed, the 2006 Commonwealth Games
Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years....
Men's hockey squad contains a number of current and previous Inverleith players: Stephen Dick
Stephen Dick
Stephen Dick is a Scottish field hockey player who plays as a forward.Competing for Scotland and Great Britain at numerous tournaments, he is representing Great Britain in Field hockey at the 2008 Summer Olympics. He has 68 caps representing Scotland and 24 caps representing Great Britain as of 11...
, Adam MacKenzie
Adam MacKenzie
Adam MacKenzie is a male field hockey defender from Scotland, who earned his first cap for the Men's Junior National Team in 2003. He plays club hockey for Inverleith HC.-References:*...
, Derek Salmond, Allan Dick
Allan Dick (field hockey)
Allan Dick is a male field hockey goalkeeper from Scotland, who earned his first cap for the Men's National Team in 2003. He plays club hockey for Surbiton HC. His younger brother Stephen is also a member of the men’s national squad.-References:*...
and Graham Moodie
Graham Moodie
Graham Thomas Moodie is a Scottish field hockey player, who was a member of the Great Britain and Northern Ireland squad that finished ninth at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens....
. In playing terms, the 1st XI form in the 80's and 90's fluctuated between the National League Divisions, going down to Division III at one stage, but fighting back to present National 1 status. The first team have in recent years maintained a respectable finish in the 04/05 (4th), 05/06 (5th), 06/07 (3rd) and 07/08 (4th) seasons whilst a new crop of youngsters are brought into the highest level of the club. The reserve teams have done reasonably well, winning the odd cup and East League competitions and a strong youth section augurs well for the future. The U/18 Boys Team was RAF Scottish Champions from 1998 to 2002. In 2003 they were beaten finalists against Kelburne losing narrowly 1 - 2. Unfortunately during the 5 years in a row, Inverleith received limited recognition from the Hockey Authorities and to this day it is unlikely that this feat will ever be completed again.
Inverleith now play their games at Currie High School (with the Men's First XI playing and training at Peffermill) but sincee WWII have played at such diverse places as Redford Barracks, Castlebrae School, Frogston, Meadowbank
Meadowbank
-Places:Australia* Meadowbank, New South WalesEngland* Meadowbank, CheshireNew Zealand* Meadowbank, New Zealand, a suburb of AucklandScotland* Meadowbank, Edinburgh* Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh-Other uses:...
and Saughton
Saughton
Saughton is a suburb of the west of Edinburgh, Scotland, bordering on Sighthill, Longstone, and Stenhouse. In Scots, a "sauch" is a willow...
artificial surfaces.
At the start of the 05/06 season Inverleith Hockey Club merged with Forrester Ladies Hockey Club and then with Heriot-Watt University Hockey Club two seasons later. The broad range of teams, playing at a variety of levels, enables players of all standards to enjoy hockey at the club
Men's
Inverleith Men's First TeamNomads
Inverleith A Team
Inverleith B Team
Inverleith Development Squad
Men's First Indoor Team
Nomads Indoor Team
Women's
Inverleith Women's First TeamLadies A Team
Ladies B Team
Ladies Nat Indoor
Ladies East Indoor
Youth
Under 16'sInverleith also have a wide range of youth teams for example the newly formed U16 boys team which star the likes of the Craigmount stiking duo of Murray Headrick and Thomas Barton, Kiwi goalkeeper Charlie Posnett and players Chris Mackenzie and Aedan Mcrossan. The team have had limited success this year (2009/10) but have recorded a 6 - 1, 7 - 0 and 6 - 0 wins and have kept some good opposition at bay with some great double and triple saves from goalkeeper Charlie who got save of the tournament with an against the odds 3 on one save. These outstanding goalkeeping performances got Charlie the coveted players player of the tournament award and a place in the Scotland Development Squad. The U16 boys team made their first appearance in the Scottish Cup in the 2009/10 and got to the finals where they came third, in front of the team to beat - Kelburne.
2008/2009
Men's first XINational League Division 1 - 3rd
Scottish Cup - Runners Up
Indoor National League Division 1 - 2nd
Indoor Cup - Runner Up
Ladies first XI
National League Division 3 - 5th
Indoor National League Division 2 - Champions
Other notable results:
Ladies 2's winning East Prem
Ladies 2's winning East district plate
Ladies 2's winning district league trophy
Ladies 2's Indoor East District Cup - Semi Finalists
Ladies 2's Indoor East District League 3 - Champions
Nomads reaching district cup final
Nomads finishing 4th in league
Men's B team winning East Division 3
in the second last game of the season with goals from striker Thomas Barton and Midfielder Struan Hope
Notable Player Awards
U16 Boys Scottish Cup save of the tournament - Charlie Posnett
U16 Boys Players Player of the Tournament - Charlie Posnett