Inverleith hockey club
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| Inverleith Hockey Club | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full name | Inverleith Hockey Club | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Nickname(s) | The Purples | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Founded | 1917 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ground | Currie High School/Peffermill Playing Fields Edinburgh |
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| Chairman |  Robin McLaren |
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| League | Scottish National 1A, Scottish Central 1, Scottish East District 1,2 and 4 |
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[edit] History
The Club was formed in 1917 by staff at the North British Rubber Co., Fountainbridge (now the Scottish & Newcastle Brewery). Being in war-time reserved occupations matches were played against other local factory and hospital teams. The first ground used was INVERLEITH Park - hence the name, which regularly confuses opponents. Until the onset of World War II, in 1939, the club performed moderately well on dreadful grass pitches and managed to field 2 teams. A peripatetic nomadic existence found them playing at Murrayfield (now the headquarters of the Scottish Rugby Union), Drylaw Mains and other public parks.
In 1922 a player called Thackwray featured twice for Scotland and Frank Morris, an original member, played in goal for Scotland in 14 matches between 1926-32 and was reckoned to be the best goalkeeper in the British Isles. The only matches played in those days were against England, Ireland and Wales. Hockey virtually closed down during World War II and it was not until 1947 that Leon Veitch and some other pre-war players revived the club, starting only with 10 players. By 1958, Inverleith had 4 teams and too many players. To help with fixtures, the 2nd XI was renamed the Nomads. However, this surplus of talent spurred the club to assist in the formation of 2 other Edinburgh clubs: Edinburgh Civil Service (now Edinburgh Hockey Club); and Broughton School FP (now Waverley-Inveresk-Trinity) whose initial teams featured ex-Inverleith players.
District League hockey was officially sanctioned in the 1950's and the 1st XI, for almost fifteen years (1954-1969), dominated East District hockey with the reserve teams also winning their respective leagues on several occasions. The 1st XI at this time was in fact regarded as probably the strongest team in Scotland and at one time in the sixties fielded 9 full internationalists and 2 final trialists in the team. Ironically, Edinburgh Civil Service then became the dominant force in Scottish Club hockey (both outdoor and indoor) for almost the next two decades, supported by recruits from Leith Academy, a strong school at the time.
Although Inverleith never won the National League title, the Scottish Cup was won in 1968 and 1975, being losing finalists in 1966, 1971 and 1973. Having won the cup in 1975, the Club represented Scotland in the European Club Championships held in Amsterdam the following year. Three of those who played in the Championships (Lee Cousins, Jim Douglas and Ally Philip) are still with the Club, the team manager, Ian McLeod, umpires.
Up until the late 80's, the club's international players were: Tommy Allan (8 caps); John MacMinn (3); Stuart MacMinn (6) John's son); Ken Dick (68 & Scotland Captain); Norman Porter (11); Denis Hay (62); Ken Hay (31); Francis Barnes (16); Tom Hay (72); Andy Hay (35); Dougie Hay (2); Neil Buxton; and Derek Batchelor. In the 90's, Kerr Thomson (9) and Martin Pearson (2). Denis Hay played in the 1972 Olympics and Ken Dick played for GB in 1976 and these two, plus Tom and Andy Hay, also played for Scotland indoors. In the 70's, the 1st XI were fortunate to be captained by Stewart McNulty (64 Irish caps) and later by Peter Ewles who played for Scotland while a member of Edinburgh Civil Service and, like Denis Hay, played for GB in the 1972 Olympics.
The Club also produced international umpires in Ian McLeod, Neil Buxton, Ernie Wall, Bill Denny and Martin Campbell and also Peter Rendle, Alastair Page and Bill Henderson. Wall and Campbell were also FIH badged indoor international umpires (FIH badged). The club has also provided officials for both the Scottish Hockey Union and the East District. Ernie Wall was awarded the OBE for services to Scottish and International Hockey in 1982.
Inverleith continue to maintain their ethic of youth development to further the club's growth and achievements. The First team continue to find success on the pitch maintaining a top 5 finish in National Division 1 for the last two seasons. We also continue to supply many of the players and coaches for Scotland's international hockey squads at all age groups. Indeed, the 2006 Commonwealth Games Men's hockey squad contains a number of current and previous Inverleith players: Stephen Dick, Adam Mackenzie, Derek Salmond, Allan Dick & Graham Moodie. In playing terms, the 1st XI form in the 80's and 90's fluctuated between the National League Divisions, going down to Division III at one stage, but fighting back to present National 1 status. The first team have in recent years maintained a top 5 finish in 04/05 and 05/06 seasons whilst a new crop of youngsters are brought into the highest level of the club. The reserve teams have done reasonably well, winning the odd cup and East League competitions and a strong youth section augurs well for the future. The U/18 Boys Team was RAF Scottish Champions from 1998 to 2002. In 2003 they were beaten finalists against Kelburne losing narrowly 1 - 2. Unfortunately during the 5 years in a row, Inverleith received limited recognition from the Hockey Authorities and to this day it is unlikely that this feat will ever be completed again.
Inverleith now play their games at Currie High School after (since WWII) playing at such diverse places as Redford Barracks, Castlebrae School, Frogston, Meadowbank and Saughton artificial surfaces.
At the start of the 05/06 season Inverleith Hockey Club merged with Forrester Ladies Hockey Club and then with Heriot-Watt University Hockey Club two seasons later. The broad range of teams, playing at a variety of levels, enables players of all standards to enjoy hockey at the club
