The Club

The club was formed in 1896 under the name Caledonian, West Hartlepool.

During the season 1950-51 an extraordinary AGM was held at Linden Grove to discuss the name of the club. It was then Hartlepool Caledonians Hockey Club (HCHC) was formed and was primarily a ladies team.

Pre 1960's the hockey club held their general meetings at players houses until March 1962 when the club became a section of the West Hartlepool Cricket and Sports Club still retaining the name HCHC.

At the 63/64 AGM it was decided that HCHC ladies would run two teams during the up and coming season. The club had gained new members due to the disbanding of the local TDSOB club.

The 60's were hard times for the club. The sport was becoming ever more popular but the funds were low. In an event that would never happen during the present day it decided at the 65/66 AGM that members would make the wrap-over skirts rather than buying them. In 1966/67 West Hartlepool Cricket and Sports Club disbanded and emerged as Hartlepool Cricket Club were we still play from to the present day.

NORTHERN DAILY MAIL 1947 CAPTION: Tense moment in Saturday's district hockey tournament at Grayfields as Richardson's, Westgarth defend vigorously against Caledonians

Hartlepool Caledonians through the 70's and 80's were often involved in tournaments, festivals and cups. In 1976 Calies joined the Durham Clubs Knockout Cup and to this date a Calies player is the main organiser. An American team even toured and played Calies in Easter 74. In consecutive years 80, 81, 82 and 83 the ladies team toured Southend. During the August Bank Holiday in 1984 Calies organised their first festival. This wouldn't be their last.

The 1987-88 season seen the ladies team join the Durham County Woman's Hockey Association league. The team continues to play in the first division of this league. As the sport grew and the success of the team increased, the ladies winning the End of Season tournament and the Indoor plate, the need for sponsorship was becoming evident. In 1992 Willie Maddren become the main sponsor of the ladies team.

Team selection paper snippets for season 1947 - 1948

The success of the ladies team continued in 92 when they won the Indoor League but this was just the start of things to come. In 93 they cleaned up as League winners, K/O Cup finalists, Beginning of Season tournament finalists and Indoor league and cup winners. What a season to remember.

On the 27th January 1996 Hartlepool Caledonians and the Seaton Men's hockey team held a centenary bash to celebrate 100 years of hockey in Hartlepool. It was held at Seaton Cricket Club and will be remembered for the fun and frolics in our very own episode of Blind Date!

The 98/99 season it was decided that both the ladies and men's team would combine into the one club. A general meeting was held on 13th September 1999 to officially decide the merger and it was passed. In 2000 the combined clubs retained the name Hartlepool Caledonians Hockey Club. The club colours were also merged, green from the ladies strip and maroon from the men's strip forming the new club colours that you see used on this web site today.