The Cavendish Club

Initially one Men’s team was fielded but very soon a Ladies team began to play every Saturday The players used the Council changing rooms and went to the local pub for post-match refreshment. The high spot of that first year was the game with the legendary Hounslow Hockey Club, albeit with their 6th XI – how times have changed!

In 1965 the Club relocated to Kings College Playing Fields, Ruislip which allowed the members to build their own clubhouse (picture below).

The Club now fields 8 Men’s and 5 Ladies league teams on Saturdays. On Sunday’s, activity centres around a thriving Juniors section.

A new decade

Over the years, the club has enjoyed some peaks and endured some troughs. What has remained a constant is the dedication and unwavering support of the members and volunteers throughout its 64-year lifetime.

As we enter a new decade and to celebrate this unwavering support, we are re-launching The Cavendish Club* – a voluntary organisation open to all within the club be they player, umpire, coach, volunteer, parent or friend. It will generate funds aimed at supporting success for the two elite teams: the Men’s and Women’s 1st XI teams. This will be achieved through investment in playing and coaching performance throughout the club. As such, funds generated would only be used to enhance the playing success of the club and not for normal operational management.

The pre-existing Cavendish Club is now absorbed under the Club’s management and its funds, £5,000, invested in a ring-fenced account to start this new journey.

Interested in joining?

In order to join, we ask that you set up an annual standing order for a minimum of £20 to be paid to:

Eastcote Hockey Club Cavendish Club

• Account no: 10766372​
• Sort code: 20-67-8
• ​​Reference: EHBC Cav Clb

You can set up the annual payment for any month you choose but then please email the Club Treasurer on jatnicholls@outlook.com so that your name can be added to the roll. To make your donation go further you can Gift Aid your contribution. If you wish to do this, please complete the form below and email to jatnicholls@outlook.com.

During the year, a number of social events will be planned to promote the Cavendish Club and to celebrate the community that was created by that small number of hockey enthusiasts all those years ago. The activities and investments of the Cavendish Club will be regularly reported in the Club’s newsletter and other communications.

The Cavendish Club would love to hear your ideas and requests for funding; whether to support a child’s or adult’s progress both within the club and along the Player Pathway to representative levels, to support overseas and UK tours for player and team development, or to create new coaching academies for performance improvement.

I am sure you will have many more exciting ideas so let us know! We are seeking a club member to lead this new initiative but, in the meantime, if you have any suggestions or questions, please contact Jamie Nicholls (jatnicholls@outlook.com).

*In 2007, the original Cavendish Club was set up. Targeted at present and former Men’s 1st XI players, this new club generated resources that were invested back into the future of Eastcote Hockey Clubs Men’s 1st team. At the same time, it provided a mechanism to ensure old friends and teammates could stay in touch. It was successful in generating income, organising popular dinners and provided funding to help the Men’s 1st XI. However, the time is right to launch something different which aims to promote success for all sections of the club on a more inclusive and sustainable basis.