A centenary of women’s hockey in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire was celebrated by members of Bishop’s Stortford Hockey Club (BSHC) with a dinner on 26 April 2025.
Today one of the largest hockey clubs in the east of England, it began with a women’s club in 1925. A separate men’s club was founded in the town after the Second World War in 1948. BSHC has existed in its current form, combining men’s and women’s hockey, since 1990.
The celebratory Centenary Dinner was held at Herts & Essex High School, which was particularly fitting because the ladies’ section of the club was originally formed by former pupils who wished to continue with their hockey endeavours. Herts & Essex High School was the club’s first-ever fixture.
Bishop’s Stortford Hockey Club’s award winners for the 2024/2025 season.
Courtesy of the club.
In 1975, to celebrate their Golden Jubilee, BHSC organised their first invitational tournament. Twelve teams made up the event, which was hosted by Bishop’s Stortford Men’s Hockey Club and each team played 3 matches – 10 minutes each way.
Hockey Field magazine reported on the day, as follows:
The first half of the final was played in a downpour but nevertheless produced some attractive attacking hockey, especially from Belvedere. Letchworth tired more quickly after an exhausting day and Belvedere ran out worth winners of the tournament by winning the final 3-0.
Star players
By way of their honours list, BSHC recognise several players who have come through their ranks to represent their nation. These include England and Great Britain (GB) men Bernard ‘Bernie’ Cotton and Robert Clift.
Bernie Cotton was England captain between 1974-1978 and earned 73 England caps (unverified at the time of publication). He was Great Britain captain between 1975-1980, including during the 1972 Olympic Games. He earned 54 GB caps scoring 2 goals (verified).
Bernie Cotton during the 1978 World Cup in Buenos Aires.
Robert Clift earned 74 England caps (unverified at the time of publication) winning World Cup silver medal in 1986. He earned 94 GB caps scoring 7 goals (verified) and won Olympic gold in Seoul in 1988.
Robert Clift wearing his Olympic tracksuit in 1988.
The club also recognises the achievements of its Masters hockey players who have competed for their nations in the Over 35s to Over 60s age categories. Among these is Pippa Bull (née Mackrill) who joined BSHC in 1982. Having been selected for different Masters teams over the last 15 years, she is now (in 2025), captain of the England Over 60s; a great achievement.
Honours – Bishop’s Stortford Hockey Club
Eileen Taylor, England’s first national coach.
Eileen Taylor: England’s first national coach
With BSHC’s celebrations focusing on a centenary of women’s hockey is Bishop’s Stortford, it would be remiss not to highlight their most prestigious female player, England international Eileen Taylor.
Post-Second World War, the performances of Bishop’s Stortford Ladies’ HC were undoubtedly enhanced by their star-player Eileen Taylor. In 1947, the club claimed an unbeaten season consisting of 18 games and 208 goals. Eileen Taylor played for England 5 times in 1947, including selection for the All England Women’s Hockey Association (AEWHA) touring team to the USA that year.
The England women’s team of 1947. Eileen Taylor is standing back row third from right.
In 1948, Eileen Taylor was appointed as the first full-time professional coach for the AEWHA and her appointment generated a National Coaching Scheme. Alongside her position as AEWHA National Coach, Eileen Taylor was employed by the All South Africa and Rhodesian Women’s Hockey Association to coach the Springboks team for three months during the International Federation of Women’s Hockey Associations (IFWHA) Conference and Tournament, held in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1950.
Eileen Taylor demonstrated at The Festival of Britain in 1951.
The Festival of Britain’s Grand International Hockey Tournament 1951 – The Hockey Museum
In 1967 she authored two hockey books, Coaching Hockey in Schools and Women’s Hockey: Do it this Way, copies of which are held in The Hockey Museum’s library. All told, Eileen Taylor was a highly respected, innovator, hockey coach, selector, author and administrator.
The ‘Bokkies of 1950’ paid tribute to “our wonderful English Hockey Coach, Eileen Taylor” in 2006 upon her death.
With thanks to Pippa Bull of Bishop’s Stortford Hockey Club for sharing the Club history.
Further information about the Club’s history can be found on the BSHC website: History – Bishop’s Stortford Hockey Club
