Mary Foxon was an illustrator for Women’s Hockey Field magazine. She worked alongside the magazine’s writer and editor Marjorie Pollard to produce and illustrate articles which offered commentary on women’s hockey. Her work featured in the first publications of Women’s Hockey Field in 1932 and she continued as Marjorie’s illustrator until 1962. Her work was loved and admired by readers over the years and many wrote in to share their appreciation of her work. Mary’s illustrations also a featured on and in several women’s hockey books written by her friends and teammates, notably E Joan Warwick & Rebecca Blaxland’s Umpiring for Women’s Hockey and Eileen Taylor’s book Coaching Hockey in Schools.

“‘I will sit at home and think about you,’ said Mary Foxon when invited to the Midlands Tournament at Ramsgate.”

Mary was a hockey player herself and played as left wing for Middlesex, Northamptonshire and the Midlands. She played alongside Marjorie Pollard for Northamptonshire where the two were a left-wing/left-inner pair and this is where their friendship began. Mary regularly attended events with Marjorie on behalf of Women’s Hockey Field to provide a visual coverage for readers, most notably the Wembley international fixture (England vs Belgium) in 1953 where she was one of the 43,000 spectators! Mary was much loved by her teammates for her sense of humour, which undoubtedly shines through in her sketches.

Although little is known about Mary Foxon’s life, her pen and ink drawings tell the wonderful, light-hearted stories of others and give a humorous glimpse into what women’s hockey was like in the 1930-1950s. These snapshots of chilly winter scenes from the past may be relatable to some of you who are braving hockey pitches in freezing cold January weather. So, whether you are a player or spectator on the sidelines, follow the example of Mary Foxon’s collection of characters and wrap up warm this winter!