Spencer Hockey Club Development Strategy
Appendix E: A Complete SHC History
“A Complete History of Spencer” was compiled by Dan Radley, a member of SHC, for the SHC Centenary year ending in 2005.
“PLAYING THE GAME” - 1905-2005
What a year 1905 was!
This was the year that saw the birth of Great Garbo, Howard Hughes and Jean-Paul Satre; the publication of Albert Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity; the invention of Cadbury’s Dairy Milk; and a massacre at the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg that triggered the Russian Revolution.
Meanwhile, over in South London this was also a landmark year for sport, with the formation of Crystal Palace FC, Charlton Athletic FC and Chelsea FC, led by William “Fatty” Foulkes.
Yet, all of this pales in comparison with events in Herondale Avenue, Wandsworth Common. One balmy evening in September 1905, presumably over a jug of shandy, J.E.Wood, H.W.Wheeler, S.R.Lewis and J.S.Pike decided to create their own hockey club. Within a fortnight, they had the whole thing up and running.
In the words of W.B. Mager: “The history of the Spencer Hockey Club should stand for all time as a monument to what can be accomplished by one or two enthusiasts, who, having made up their minds to start a club, henceforth do not rest until they have achieved success. The Club did not come into existence until October 1, and yet was able regularly to run five teams, and included among its fixtures for the season the first elevens of such strong organisations as Croydon, Brondesbury, Polytechnic, Kingston Hill, Norwood and Brockley.”
To put the achievement into context, they had created an institution which would survive two world wars, two Clubhouse fires, the Summer Of Love, the Winter Of Discontent, the birth of jazz, rock’n’roll, punk, hip hop, Britpop, and the collapse of the Soviet Union.
The Club was officially an offshoot of the Spencer Cricket Club, although many of the players came from the Clapham Hockey Club which had just disbanded. The name ‘Spencer’ refers to Earl Spencer, the lord of the manor, who permitted the founders of the cricket club to drain and enclose a portion of Wandsworth Common.
As W.B. Mager explains: “The hockey section had an excellent start, owing to the hearty way in which the Cricket Committee backed up the efforts of the promoters, members having the great pleasure and satisfaction of at once possessing a perfectly level ground and a splendid pavilion.”
The first known match match report, between Spencer and Kew Green, appeared in the Friday October 27th 1905 edition of the Wandsworth Borough News:
"Spencer versus Kew Green, played on the former's ground at Herondale Avenue, Wandsworth Common on Saturday. The game started at a very hot pace, but the Spencer forwards, working well together, were soon pressing, and Hallet scored three goals in rapid succession. Shortly afterwards Harwood scored again for the home side. The visitors now made some good combined efforts enabling Clayton to score. Just before half-time, as the result of a fine individual effort, Washbourne added another point for Spencer. At the commencement of the second half the Kew men went off at high pressure and Coke obtained a goal. As a reply to this Parker, who had being playing a good game throughout, succeeded in placing the sixth goal to the credit of the home team, who won by six to two. Wheeler played a very sound game at the back for the Spencer, while Cox at centre-half worked hard for the visitors.
Spencer: SR Lewis and HW Wheeler (backs), CJ Browne, JE Wood, W Hutchinson and AJ Washbourne (half-backs), W Washbourne, GF Harwood, CA Hallett, HW Parker and O Cattlin (forwards). Kew Green: A Pring, F Norris and SA Rogers (backs), H Hawke, H Cox, and A Ladbrook (half backs), H Norris, R Hayes, A Clayton, S Cox, and C Coke (forwards)
The Club went on to have a remarkable first season under the leadership of J.E.Wood, “a prince among skippers”:
1st Played 23 Won 18, Lost 2, Drew 3
2nd Played 24, Won 13, Lost 2, Drew 9
3rd Played 13, Won 6, Lost 2, Drew 5
In 1907 the captaincy was taken up by the energetic S.R. (Sammy) Lewis who held the dual positions of secretary and skipper. The membership stood at nearly 100, enabling Spencer Hockey Club to field five sides regularly.
W.B. Mager takes up the story again: “We note the interesting fact that the hockey club was practically part of the cricket club, the cricket and tennis committee allowing the hockey club a free hand as regards the management of their section, while at the same time retaining a controlling influence on matters of finance and ground work. This seems to be a most sensible arrangement, and we have in our mind several cricket clubs in the metropolitan area who might with advantage start a hockey section and adopt the plan which was so succeessful with, to give its then full title, the Spencer Cricket, Lawn Tennis, Bowls and Hockey Club.”
The Club was successful right up to the outbreak of war, when almost the whole of its membership volunteered for active service. For a short period during wartime, women were permitted to represent Spencer. There were moves immediately after the war to make this permanent. The President at the time wrote: “Many ladies have requested the formation of a Ladies’ Hockey Club, and this is receiving the earnest consideration of the Committee.”
However, the Club was to remain an all-male preserve for another 75 years before common sense eventually prevailed.
Losing cheerfully, 1919
In August 1919, the original members, so far as they could be traced, were called together, and after long debate it was decided to restart the Club immediately. The former secretary, S.R. Lewis had secured an option on two pitches at Merton Park, but the shortage of members had made the financial position of the Club precarious. Only a small number of playing members were available.
The minute book notes that, “The Committee desires on behalf of the club first to place on record their appreciation of the services rendered by the members to the country during the late war. They also wish to take this opportunity of expressing their sorrow and tendering heartfelt sympathy to the relatives and friends in the sad loss sustained by them, and also the Club in respect of the following members killed in action:
Dawn, H.G. Gooch, F.H.
Hathatt, E. Henley, A.W.
Henderson, A.R. Prosser, A.E.
Spencer, W.G. South, G.R.S.
Vinnicombe, L.F.
The Club has maintained its old standard of “Playing the game” irrespective of results. The 2nd XI have lost as cheerfully as they have won. It has been an honour to be their Captain, and I am proud of every one of them.”
A Post-War Reunion Supper was held at the Don Restaurant, 29, Basinghall Street. Steak, kidney and mushroom pudding was followed by Manchester Tart. At the bottom of the menu card it said, “Get your pals’ signatures on this, and keep it!”
The following letter was sent on March 4th 1920 from G.E.O. Andrews to E.E..Elkington of the Spencer Cricket & Lawn Tennis Club:
“It is submitted that it would be mutually advantageous to both Clubs if the Hockey Club were once more to return to the Spencer ground… The advent of the Hockey Club would also furnish a nucleus of young players from local neighbourhoods for the cricket and lawn tennis sides and vice versa… if the decision is favourable it is suggested to hold monthly socials and suppers after the match and entertain the visitors of the day at concerts afterwards. This will improve the bar takings and the Hockey Ladies Committee have promised to manage this part of the programme.”
Cricket agreed, and responded by offering their groundsman to paint the hockey balls for use every Saturday. They also let us buy a piano for the Clubhouse.
Eating for England, 1920s
The Spencer army has always marched on its stomach, and Club dinners and suppers during this period were often spectacular. Spencer’s 18th Annual Supper & Concert at the Rubens Hotel boasted Crème d’Asperges, Turbot Grille Maitre d’Hotel, Poulet Poche Stanley and Pommes Chateau. Entertainment was provided by Mrs. Percival Snow, Mrs Roy Pike, Madame Kate Flinn, Miss Patsy Freeman and Miss Olive Richardson’s pupils.
However, this was eclipsed by the 1926 dinner at The Engineers’ Club, Coventry Street.
Native oysters were followed by Consomme Croute au Pot, Filet de Sole, Marguery, Mignons de Boeuf, Richelieu, Capon Roti and Bombe Glace Aida.
The gourmet tradition continues today. The Grover Lunch, initiated by Tom Taylor in honour of Frank Grover, celebrates the ‘Clubman of the Year’. Traditionally, all the former winners gather to treat the new winner to lunch at a wine bar in the City.
Who can forget the magnificent Marks & Spencer feast devoured by John Davis on the coach trip to Bridgnorth for a victorious Cup game in 1994? Or Amrish Patel’s amazing curries for 150 members on Club Day? Or the impromptu wine tastings held on most Saturdays by the current Veterans?
Kit and caboodle, 1930s
Kit has always been a prickly subject at Spencer. The original Spencer Hockey Club Rules state: “1. That the Club be called the “Spencer Hockey Club” and the colours shall be Red, Blue and Dark Brown Shirts, Blue Knickers, White Stockings with Club Colours in turn over.”
Simple enough. But by 1922, Sammy Lewis proposed that “White knickers be added.” Another member, Mosely suggested that “Blue knickers be added.” On a show hands “White knickers” won by 15 votes to 12. Powell then proposed that “Light blue stockings” be added. Mager responded by proposing that “Navy blue stockings with white tops be added. On a show of hands, “Navy Blue” won by 13 votes to 8.
The Club outfitter at the time was Stokes & Co. Ltd., 24 Queen Victoria St, EC4, whose slogan was: “Stokes’ Hockey Sticks - noted throughout the Hockey World!”
By 1934 the Club was mainly playing in white shirts and nobody seemed very sure about what the official Club kit was. (We’ll return to this issue after the Second World War.)
This was an exciting period for Spencer. In 1926, Sammy Lewis proposed that Mr.A.D.Ogilvy be elected as Captain of the First Eleven. Mr Lewis took this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Ogilvy on his first England Cap and the members present rose and drank his health.
A year later, one of the very first committee members, Major G. O. Andrews retired as Honorary Fixture Secretary to this accolade: “The valuable and whole hearted service which he has rendered to the Club is well in the minds of all members… Last season for the first time in the history of the Club he secured a fixture with Oxford University and for next season he has secured fixtures with both Cambridge and Oxford Universities. This undoubtedly sets the seal upon his very fine record as an officer of the Club.”
Results were improving and the minutes recall that, “The season 1931/32 must be considered one of the most successful in the history of the Club, bearing in mind the much strengthened fixture list as compared with three or four seasons ago. The record of the first eleven was an extraordinarily fine one and the results of the other elevens have also been good. These results must be partly attributed to strong club and team spirit… First XI: Played 26, Won 22, Drawn 2, Lost 2, Goals for 119, Goals against 48.”
Results included an 11-1 win against Blackheath and a 9-2 victory over Civil Service. At the other end of the Club, the 5th XI lost 15-0 to Purley. S.R. Lewis was still playing for the 4th XI and scoring lots of goals.
A bar was installed by W.B.Mager and G.W.Ware - the Hugh Dorrells of their day – and teams began to return to the Club after away matches. A wine committee was formed. “The supply of intoxicating liquor shall be under the sole control of the wine committee who shall arrange for the purchase therof on behalf of the Club and of the supply thereto members at such prices as they shall determine.”
Og! 1936
Before the start of season 1933-34, as a pre-season fitness experiment, A.D. Ogilvy proposed that arrangements be made for a Club Hike during the Summer on a Sunday.
Spencer also started up a sixth eleven. It was not terribly successful, losing 11-0 to Erith Technical College and only scraping a 3-3 draw against the Ewell Mental Asylum.
A dinner was held on March 25th 1936 at the Waldorf Hotel. This function was arranged to celebrate the fact that A.D. Ogilvy had the honour of being appointed Captain of England in the four international matches played during the previous season. The menu consisted of six courses. There were nine speeches and the artistes included an entertainer and two comedians. The principal guest was T.L. Rowan who later became principal private secretary to Winston Chruchill during four years of his wartime premiership.
By playing for England in the four international matches against Scotland, Wales, Ireland and France, A.D. Ogilvy brought the total number of his international caps to 25.
Spencer holds a proud record in having had as playing members the Captains of England (A.D. Ogilvy), Scotland (D. Leyland Naylor) and Ireland (T.W.O. Matheson).
Our record in season 1937-38 was outstanding: First XI - W25 D4 L2 and The Times reported: “On their play on Saturday, Spencer can be ranked as the best club side in the South.”
In a hurriedly convened meeting in October 1939 at Lakes Restaurant, Great Tower Street, EC., Ogilvy proposed, that, owing to the outbreak of War, the operations of the Club be suspended, seconded by Tibbetts. This motion was unanimously agreed to with great regret. The Honorary Secretary was instructed to communicate this decision to the Spencer Cricket and Lawn Tennis Club.