Stokesley Hockey Club started with the ladies team, which operated in various guises over the years, but has always been a friendly and sociable group. The team, as it is currently known, was a combination of Stokesley Ladies and Cleveland Ladies Hockey Clubs, with both teams being formed more than 50 years ago.
Stokesley Men’s Hockey Club by comparison is relatively new, having been formed in 1973 at the request of Stokesley Ladies, who “needed someone to take on the pitch maintenance”. For many years Sunday morning friendly fixtures were played under the name of Stokesley Occasionals. When it became very difficult to arrange such matches a decision was taken to join the league in which the club currently plays. This decision was not taken lightly as most of the players were members of other clubs on a Saturday and played in the same league we were joining. We went ahead primarily because all of the players were friends, as well as team mates and because they had “grown up” with Stokesley Hockey Club. Joining with Guisborough one year later made us stronger and allowed us to enter a second team in the league. This past season we successfully introduced an under 17 junior side and next season we will add an under 13 side.
The 2012/13 season has been nothing short of fantastic for the club. The first team topped their division and were promoted to the North East premier league. The Ladies and second team finished runners up in their divisions and were both promoted. The juniors topped their league in their first season and will sport an excellent new kit in the defence of their title next season. The team would like to show their thanks to RPS for their support and making the side look like a team and to Gary Hudson who attended the presentation on Saturday 27th April 2013.
