Grange Hockey Club
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| Grange Hockey Club | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full name | Grange Men's Hockey Club | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Nickname(s) | The Stags | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Founded | 1905, as Edinburgh Northern Hockey Club | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ground | The Grange Club, Portgower Place Edinburgh |
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| Chairman |  Peter Bailey |
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| League | Scottish National 1A, Scottish Central 1, Scottish East District 1,2,3 and 4 |
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Grange Hockey Club is a one of four sections of the Grange Club situated at Portgower Place in Edinburgh. The three other sports that can be enjoyed through the parent club are Cricket, Squash and Tennis.
Grange, initially Edinburgh Northern Hockey Club, was formed in April 1905 and was one of the early hockey clubs in Scotland. The club first started playing at Raeburn Place in 1928 and changed its name to Grange Hockey Club in 1972.
With 7 men's teams, Grange Hockey Club is one of the largest in Scotland.
The Grange Hockey Club recently celebrated its centenary year, celebrating the 100th year of hockey being played under the Grange name since Edinburgh Northern Hockey Club amalgamated with Grange cricket club to form the modern hockey section of the club. The Grange home kit is white shirts with blue shorts and blue socks.
[edit] The Men's Teams
The 1st XI is one of the best sides in Scotland and regularly supplies players to the national side. Playing in the national 1st divisions, the team continue to enjoy great success, both domestically and in European competition. Recently the 1st XI qualified for Europe and so will be on their travels in season 2007/08
The 2nd XI enjoy much success in the Scottish Central 1st Division and last season (2005-2006) won the District Cup with a thrilling 8-7 penalty shoot out win over rivals Kelburne.
This season the 2's finished in 3rd position in Scottish Central League 1, behind Kelburne 2nd XI and Western 2nd XI. They also managed to reach the final of the District Cup competition, a feat they have now managed two seasons in a row.
The 3rd XI compete in the East of Scotland 1st Division along with the Grange Development team. Both teams have been league champions in the past years and usually enjoy a 3 horse race for the title with Edinburgh University every season. Although the Development and 3rd XI recruit players from the same club there is a bitter rivalry between the two teams and the derby fixture is a deeply fought encounter.
Recently the 3rd XI clinched the East Division 1 title with a 4-2 away win against Edinburgh University 3rd XI at Peffermill. This victory pushed them out of reach of both Edinburgh University and the Grange Development side with one game left in the regular season. Finishing the League 7 points clear of Edinburgh University confirmed the East Trophie would return to Portgower Place for the 5th time in a row. Indeed the 3rd XI were the only Grange team to win silverwear in season 2006/07.
The 5th XI play in East of Scotland 2nd Division and have, in past seasons, managed promotion to the 1st division. However the social team tend to enjoy 2nd division life, with a much more sociable and fruitful (in terms of results) fixture list.
The 6th XI play in the East of Scotland 3rd Division and, like the 5th XI, enjoy much success but in recent years have finished mid table.
The 7th XI enjoy their fixtures in the East of Scotland 4th division and have a squad of ex 1st team players that are now looking to enjoy their retirement in the lower leagues. However, this does not stop an improving side a side to reckon with. The only team that still plays its home fixtures on the grass pitch in front of the Pavilion at Portgower Place, the 7's look to season 2006-2007 to stamp their authority on the league and have 2nd place in their sites already.
[edit] Training
Training for men at all skill levels takes place every Tuesday at St George's Girls School from 7pm till 9pm and is coached by 2 skilled and experienced club members.
Training for the men's 1st and 2nd XI takes place at Edinburgh University's Peffermill pitches on Mondays and Thursdays from 7pm till 9pm and is directed by ex Scotland and England internationals.
[edit] The Social Side
The Men's Hockey Dinner often enjoys a huge support. An event that usually takes place in mid to late March is a date for every member's diary. Every team inhabits their own table and enjoys a 4 course meal followed by speeches and the now infamous bread roll fight.
The Section also recently celebrated its Centenary. An event which was marked in style by a gathering of members old and new at the in Edinburgh at which a 5 course meal and speeches included words from Des O'Brian. The bread roll fight was put on hold for this event.
