Our Club’s History

Our History and Heritage

Holcombe Hockey Club brings together a hockey heritage stretching back to 1895. Our story connects Rochester & Gillingham, Old Holcombeians, Frindsbury and Templars: clubs rooted in Medway’s schools and communities, whose players and volunteers helped shape the club we know today.

Our earliest documented roots lie with Rochester Hockey Club, which recognises 1895 as its official foundation year, although its origins may reach back to 1888–89. Between 1904 and 1914, it played at the Holcombe ground on Maidstone Road, Chatham, establishing an early connection to the name we carry today. The club became Rochester & Gillingham Hockey Club in 1937, reflecting its growing ties to Gillingham, and formed its first women’s team in 1948.

Old Holcombeians Hockey Club was founded in 1929 by Jack Diamond, with support from teacher Claude Wright, bringing together former pupils of Chatham Junior Technical School. Its name came from the school’s site, known as Holcombe. The club expanded over the following decades, with members building a clubhouse at Pattens Lane in 1986 before later developing a permanent home at what became Holcombe Park.

Another branch of our heritage began in 1948, when members of Frindsbury Youth Club founded Frindsbury Hockey Club, supported by Ted Watkins. Templars Hockey Club followed in 1963, established by school leavers from Temple School in Strood and teacher Bill Lang. Frindsbury amalgamated with Templars in 1970. Templars Ladies Hockey Club was founded in 1972 by friends of the men’s club and students from Rochester Grammar School. In 1977, members of the men’s and women’s clubs established Templars Sports Club, coordinating fundraising towards a clubhouse and playing facilities.

In 1999, Old Holcombeians and Templars merged to form Holcombe Hockey Club, bringing their histories together at Holcombe Park. Rochester & Gillingham merged with Holcombe in 2000, uniting these strands of Medway’s hockey heritage within the present club.

Our Facilities

Holcombe Hockey Club is based at Holcombe Park, Curtis Way, Rochester, Kent ME1 2TQ — one of the best-equipped club venues in the South East and home to National League hockey. The site features two full-size, all-weather artificial pitches, a welcoming clubhouse and an on-site health clinic, all with free parking.

On Site at Holcombe Park

• Water-based pitch — Our main show pitch, built to international standard and used by our Men’s and Women’s 1st XIs in the England Hockey League Premier Divisions. The pitch is overlooked by a stepped spectator terrace, giving fantastic views of the entire playing surface.
• Sand-based pitch — A full-size, all-weather sand-dressed pitch used for training, junior hockey and league matches throughout the week, and also suitable for other sports including football.
• Clubhouse — The heart of the club. Our clubhouse offers a fully licensed bar, hot food and teas on match days, and a comfortable space to relax and watch the hockey. It is also available to hire for parties, meetings and corporate events.
• Changing rooms — Changing and shower facilities for players, officials and visiting teams.
• Car park — Free on-site parking for players, members and visitors.