The hockey club was founded in 1902, then being known as Cartha H.C. In 1960, Cartha moved to Clydesdale Cricket Club in search of better quality grass pitches and, after a season, changed their name to Clydesdale. Since then, the club has hosted a number of international matches on the grass pitches during the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s. In 1983, we hosted one of the last (if not the very last) international match on grass in Scotland, when Scotland played Ireland.
The club received planning permission to extend the clubhouse and to build an artificial turf pitch in 1995. The pitch was completed in May 1997 and the clubhouse work was finished in June 1998. This ambitious project was part of the club’s plans to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the parent club and was made possible with grants from both the National Lottery and the Foundation for Sport and the Arts.
The completion of this project was rewarded when the club hosted the Celtic Cup Men’s U21 International Series and the European Ladies Club Championships.
Clydesdale were one of the first hockey clubs to launch a web site thanks to the work of past club president, David Rutherglen. The site began in the 1990’s which provided a brief introduction, directions to the club, details of the league programme, a ‘fun’ section, joining information but most importantly links to other hockey websites and a directory of emails for other hockey clubs and associations. This made the site a valued source of contacts.
A new chapter
Two new junior clubs were trialed at St Bartholomew’s School (September 2008) and Crookston Castle School (November 2008). Following the experience, the coaching in South East Glasgow moved to St Fillian’s School, where a successful junior section has been running since August 2009 on a Wednesday evening. When the new games hall was completed at Shawlands Academy, the club ran an indoor session on a Thursday in August 2009, and has continued to ever since.
Although Clydesdale has created a link with these schools, the club have welcomed children of any age and school background and continue to do so. These new ventures, in partnership with Culture & Sport Glasgow, has overseen the expansion of hockey playing opportunities for hundreds of children and young people. The continued long term plan is to develop a series of Junior Clubs and give a long term development pathway to the senior club. Essential to the running of these clubs are coaches to deliver high quality coaching sessions and parents or other volunteers to manage the membership and events. Clydesdale Hockey Club also provides mentoring support and coach education in partnership with Culture & Sport Glasgow.
At their Annual General Meeting (AGM) in May 2010, Glasgow Western Ladies (founded in 1903) agreed to merge with Clydesdale Hockey Club’s Ladies section. This fully brings together two great clubs with long histories and a bright future.
The next landmark was the replacement of the sand based artificial grass pitch with a water based artificial grass pitch in August 2011. With an international standard pitch, the club has continued to go forward from strength to strength. The future aim being that our coaching and training on a water based pitch will develop a faster skills base of players of all ages.
- Glasgow Sports Awards Friday 21st November 2008
- Glasgow Sports Club and Glasgow Volunteer of the Year 2008
Clydesdale Hockey Club has received acknowledgement from the city on the outstanding progress being made in developing hockey in Glasgow.
Not resting on its past achievements, the club aims to go forward with plans for expansion and the development of a new pitch surface in the coming years to improve skills for young and old.