Hockey was introduced as the school major winter sport by the first Headmaster Mr. F. Dixon. It was a popular innovation and a high standard was soon attained and perpetuated. Prominent amongst the early hockey players was C. S. Petheram. This fine player represented Gloucestershire, all the Divisions and finally England.

The Lydney Grammar School Old Boys’ Hockey Club was founded in 1920 and soon became one of the best know clubs in the West of England. Frequently, former Lydney pupils constituted over half of the County and Bristol University X1s.

School hockey flourished under its enthusiastic Sports Master Mr. Joseph Ellison. Mr. Ellison, an expert hockey stick doctor, knew full well the value of a good playing surface. The main body of the pitch received treatment, not always beneficial in heavy weather, from Tom Garland’s horse-drawn roller. Transgressors, collectively and simultaneously, purged their offences, developed their muscles and improved their lymph circulations by half-hourly rolling of the circles. Rumour even has it that during periods of unnatural or undetected lawlessness “volunteers” were acquired by adroit manipulation of the reversible signs. No Play on Match Day - No Play on Field. The singular lack of complexes exhibited by old boys of this ear gives the lie to modern psychologists though perhaps the thought of the loss of life which could result from the incursion of the mighty frame of George Elliot to a rough circle soothed any exacerbated feelings.

The school’s record against senior clubs was impressive.

In 1930 Vernon Clark scored thirteen goals in a match against Caerleon College. This immensely powerful centre forward later followed Sidney Stock in to the Welsh team.
In 1937 the school defeated both Bristol University and the Old Boys.
In 1943 an all-colours team was fielded for the first time. A very strong RAF Innsworth X1 was leading 3 - 0 after ten minutes when John Morgans and Michael Fletcher by brilliant stick work and interposing scored five consecutive goals without an opponent touching the ball. The result 13 - 4, was a fine achievement.
Perhaps the greatest victory was in 1951 when on their own ground Gloucester City were relieved of a two season unbeaten record. The inspiring captain on this occasion, Derek Hyde, later won a Cambridge Blue and played for England “B”. His predecessor, Cedric Hughes, represented England in 1956 and is now the county coach.

The postponement of hockey until the Third Form and the confinement of matches to the Spring term had some effect on dexterity but not a lot on enthusiasm. Pupils have regularly represented the County Schoolboys and in recent years Robert Pace, Kevin Cooper, Robert Drewell and Stephen Drew have played for the West Schoolboys. Stephen Drew played in a England Schoolboy Trial and in 1970 created a record when he was selected three times for the County Senior X1 while still at school.

The Old Boys’ Hockey Club continues to flourish, most of its home matches being played on the Redgra pitch at Cinderford. The introduction of the County cup in 1971 saw them narrowly beaten by Bristol in the final.

For his immense service to hockey Mr. R. A. J. Bell has been made a life member. He, and the President, Group Captain Charles Wiggins, once very prominent in Royal Air Force hockey circles, extend a hearty welcome to former pupils who wish to continue playing the game.

D. A. L. T.