The club was formed in 1985 following the success of Great Britain in the Olympics. A couple of hopeful enthusiasts placed an advertisement in the Lancaster Guardian appealing to men who might be interested in forming a hockey team. The advert attracted a small group of players, which resulted in a few friendly games being played.
Initially the club was based at Morecambe Cricket Club. Word spread and by the end of the 1985/86 season there were enough players to run two mens teams.
A significant step forward was made in 1987 when the 1st XI joined the 4th Division of the Northwest Hockey League. By the next season they were joined in the NW Leagues by a 2nd XI. Matches were played at Lancaster University.
The club organised its first tournament, a primary source of funding, in September 1998. A total of 22 mens teams took part. The annual MDHC tournament for mens and womens teams remained popular and continues until the late 90’s.
The mens teams grew in strength and in the 88/89 season several promotions were achieved. By the 94/95 season the 1str XI were established in the First Division of the NW League. During this growth period a 3rd XI was formed and in 1990 a 4th team was added. By this time the headquarters had moved first to the Lancastrian Pub and then to the Farmhouse Tavern. Lured there by an attractive sponsorship package from landlord (and future player) Steve Hunt.
A new synthetic pitch at salt Ayre provided the club with additional facilities. Matches were split between University and Salt Ayre.
After several near misses the 1st XI gained promotion to the Northern Premier League in the 97/98 season. Amazingly, two of the founding players were still playing 1st team hockey.
In the spring of 1992 the club formed a ladies section and entered a team in the Lancashire Central Womens Hockey Association Leagues. The success of this team has yet to be surpassed by any other team in the club. They gained promotion four successive seasons to reach Premier Division, being runners up in the 97/98 season as well as cup-finalists.
A ladies 2nd XI was formed in the 93/94 season and similarly progressed through the leagues to the First Division. Building on this success a ladies 3rd team was added in the 96/97 season and a 4thj n the 98/99 season.
During this period the club had been developing younger players. We considered then, as we still do, that this an important contribution to the local community; providing fun and recreation to many youngsters. The juniors are coached in the basic skills of hockey by a group of playing members and ever wiling volunteers.
The success of the junior section can be measured by the large numbers regularly attending and progressing through to senior level. Many have represented the North West and North of England. A great testimony to the volunteer coaches.
A mens Veterans team was formed in 1993 that plays friendly matched through the season as well as participating in several Veterans tournaments.
A veterans touring side, ‘Lancashire Cloggers’, was formed 1992 to take part in an International Veterans Tournament in Aberdeen. This annual tournament has been a regular touring event every year since, including visits to Holland, Wales, Germany and Scotland.
With construction of a new synthetic pitch at St. Martins College. The club adopted this as its home ground. This move, together with a change of mens” sponsor to Mitchells Pubs led to a change in Headquarters to the Boot and Shoe.
