In 1900 there were just twenty clubs from the North affiliated to the Hockey Association (HA) causing some historians have been misled as to the game’s popularity outside of the home counties. In most northern towns and cities at this time hockey playing was increasingly popular.

For example: in Hull the Sports Editor of the Hull Daily Mail wrote in 1902:

“Now that hockey has become firmly established in Hull and East Riding, the question has been mooted as to the advisability of forming a league or some form of competition. Seeing that there are some twenty clubs in the neighbourhood of Hull, many leading players are inclined to the belief that a competition could be run on a sound basis.”

The next day a letter appeared from a ”hockeyite” pointing out the HA’s ban on all cups and competitions.

Hockey’s popularity in Hull was such that the Morison Advertising Agency was publishing annually from 1902 The Hull & District Hockey Register which contained the rules of the game and the fixtures lists and officers of all the local clubs. The register sold for 2d and by 1905 3d.

Unfortunately to date, we have yet to find a surviving copy. Can anyone help in our pursuit?

James Ormandy
28.01.2021