LUDLOW Hockey played its first men’s match in 1896 and until the outbreak of the Second World War was a successful club, also fielding ladies and mixed teams.

The club played a significant role in Shropshire County teams for men and ladies. The Club was a strong social unit and was famous in the hockey world for organising in 1903/4, two matches with the champion club of France and in 1929 played in an international tournament in Barcelona against top teams from Switzerland and Spain. After the cessation of sporting fixtures during the Second World War, there were short lived, but ultimately unsuccessful attempts, to revive both the men’s and ladies’ teams.

However since the early 1980s a strong club was established, initially playing on grass at the Ludlow Cricket Club with ladies’, men’s and junior teams. Several players won international caps, many played for university teams and Shropshire County, tours were organised and there was a lively social life for club members.

The Club now faces a number of challenges to its continuing existence.

The appropriate club facilities of an astro surface and club house are not available in Ludlow. Home games are now played at Much Wenlock, and since the pandemic it has not been able to find a venue for post match teas. Moor Park School’s half sized astro pitch provides a good venue for training but not for matches.

The club has always had a problem with young players going off to University and not returning to the Ludlow area and also players moving to clubs with good social facilities and a range of sides appropriate to their ability.

The playing of hockey in local primary and secondary schools has almost disappeared.

Young players who remain in the Ludlow area tend to move to bigger towns in Shropshire where house prices are lower and employment more plentiful. Rising costs and additional bureaucracy are also putting a strain on the club, and the reorganisation of the league system has added an extra problem for the ladies with long journeys to some away games.

The club chair is heading a survey to ascertain the level of support for next season. Players, administrators, umpires, coaches and supporters are urgently required. To help contact: Peter Matthews, Chair Ludlow Hockey Club. lhc-web@hotmail.com