Club History

The past, present and future of Newmarket Hockey Club has always been and always will be hugely overshadowed by first and foremost horse-racing and then the other more popular sports such as football, rugby and cricket.

With quite possibly one of the smallest clubs in the region, Newmarket has frequently struggled to find players; the surrounding clubs always attracting players with their reputations and facilities. Newmarket moved away from playing on grass in the early 90s and began training and playing matches on Astroturf to help develop their game and compete at a higher level. Sadly, every game then became an away game as they had to travel to either Cambridge, Bury St Edmunds or Ely. The campaign to get an Astroturf started at the same time as the switch to Astroturf and fundraising commenced. The club actually went into the Guinness Book of records for the longest hockey match when the club staged a 60-hour hockathon back in 1992.

_{George Lampton's playing fields in 1992 as the club staged a 60-hour long hockey match!}

The club has been in existence since 10th October 1948 and recently celebrated its 60th anniversary. NHC started with a mixed team and was then followed by the formation of separate men's and ladies' teams. Having played at several venues; Stanley House, the Town Ground, the Upper School, Scaltback School, George Lambton's and Ely, the club have returned to the Upper School playing on the brand new Astroturf there; completed in 2006. With a flow of players keen to play hockey from the school, the future is looking very bright indeed..

_{Club day 2008!}