Our History

The journey to the formation of The Surrey Spartans Hockey Club has been a rather long one. Many years ago the University of Surrey Men’s Hockey Club entered into the South Hockey League competition and has been competing ever since. The club found themselves bouncing between leagues in the Surrey Divisions, gaining promotion from Surrey Division 2 on no less than five separate occasions. Consistent progression up the leagues was hindered by the constant fluctuation in players present at the university. In 2002 the University of Surrey Men’s and Ladies Hockey Clubs merged to form a single mixed club and continued to grow. At its peak, the University of Surrey Hockey Club fielded 3 men’s teams and 2 ladies teams. The fluctuation in player numbers from year to year made it difficult to sustain these teams and the club was therefore forced to drop a couple of the teams causing a large gulf to form between the standards of competition and making it difficult for player development.

In 2006, a fanciful conversation after the Annual Alumni vs University game resulted in the formation of the Surrey Old Boys Hockey Club. They too entered the South Hockey League and in their inaugural season secured the Surrey Division 2 Title. After this early success the club was able to attract additional Surrey graduates and expand the club by fielding a Men’s 2nd XI. Over the next 3 years, the Surrey Old Boys were unable to make progress up the leagues before yet again finding themselves in Surrey Division 2 following the South Hockey League restructure in 2009. It was identified that in order for the club to kick on once again it needed to widen its member base by attracting players from the wider community whilst still encouraging the continued participation of the graduating students.

In early 2010 a proposal to merge the University of Surrey and Surrey Old Boys Club was tabled to address the issues of player development and club stability. During the initial discussions it became apparent that a merger and re branding of the club would more than solve these issues, it would enable us to form a base from which we could enhance the future of hockey in Guildford. Finally in early June 2010 it was formally accepted by both the University of Surrey and Surrey Old Boys Hockey Clubs and the formation of The Surrey Spartans Hockey Club was completed and given the full support of the University of Surrey Students Union.

The Surrey Spartans initially fielded 4 Men’s teams and 1 Ladies team in the South Hockey and Surrey Ladies Leagues respectively and was open to the whole of the Guildford community. The formation of this community sports club tied in with the opening of the new Surrey Sports Park enabling the club to offer access to world class facilities unrivalled in Surrey. The club's profile was boosted in 2011 as England Hockey selected us to be one of 2 "Spotlight Clubs" for the Inaugural Harvester National Club Weekend. We were also approached by England Hockey to help launch a new version of the game, Rush Hockey, which has now taken off across the country.

In 2012 the club's development moved on at pace and a second Ladies team was added to the club. The club was heavily involved in olympic related activities including having England Hockey return for the Guildford leg of the Big Dribble and providing hockey tasters throughout the summer including at the Guildford Olympic Torch Relay Event. The club's achievements were recognised in the Guildford Sports Awards and was a Runner Up for Community Award in just our second year.

The club is looking to continue its development and aims to form links with local schools and colleges to achieve its long term vision of helping to make hockey accessible to all in the Guildford area.

The University of Surrey Hockey Club still exists and has an additional 2 Men's Teams and 2 Ladies Teams that compete in the BUCS competitions on wednesday afternoons. More information can be found on thier website. (www.unishockey.org)

Men's 1st XI Fast Facts