History of Roses Hockey Club

1932 was the year when the Hockey Section was founded as part of the Sports Club of Rose Brothers (Gainsborough) Limited - a world famous company in Gainsborough manufacturing wrapping machines and the like.  In those days the club comprised a men's XI and a mixed XI and this situation continued until after the Second World War. An extensive sports field existed in North Warren Road, Gainsborough including a very good grass hockey pitch which after the war was considered to be one of the best in the County.

After the war local young men returned from the services in which they had played hockey and were encouraged to take up the game again by the old stalwarts who had continued to play whilst working in “reserved occupations” making armaments of all kinds including rear turrets for Lancaster bombers.

These chaps and young women were the “founding members” of the present Roses Hockey Club and they continued to play friendly men's and mixed matches against other local teams from Lincoln, Doncaster, Grimsby, Scunthorpe and Brigg.  As travelling became less difficult, horizons widened to Rotherham, Newark, Woodhall Spa, Skegness, Alford, Boston and Spalding.  Highlights of successes during this period were winning the Appleby Frodingham Festival in 1966, Lysaghts Festival 1970 and 1976 and the Lincolnshire Club Championship in   1976/77 season.  Other festivals attended were Digby Sixes (a RAF side) - succeeded by Woodhall Spa Sixes; Brigg Sixes; Skegness Easter Festival (still attended!) and North Lincolnshire Summer Festival.

League hockey commenced with the formation of the Lincolnshire League with 13 clubs participating and after its demise, the Lincolnshire clubs divided, with the northern clubs joining the various divisions of the Yorkshire League whilst the southern clubs moved into the Eastern Counties Leagues. One of the major changes brought about by league hockey was the insistence of the Hockey Association that all league matches must be played on artificial pitches.  This meant that Roses had to travel to Lincoln to play on approved pitches, starting with Yarborough School facilities.  At this time 2 men's teams regularly turned out with a third on occasions.  Ladies hockey was provided by Gainsborough Ladies H C, a separate entity. 

A major step forward was taken when the splendid facilities at Lincoln University were made available and Roses made the University their new HQ, since when the Club has flourished, with the Gainsborough Ladies HC amalgamating with Roses when a new constitution was established.  The name of the Club was changed to Gainsborough Rose HC to maintain the links with its founding fathers.  The influx of male and female students from the University interested in playing Club hockey as well as University fixtures has enabled the Club to grow to its present size fielding 4 men’s XI and 2 ladies XI (soon to be 3).  During this period of growth and establishment the standard of hockey played has improved year by year as the men's teams gained promotion through the ranks of the Yorkshire League Divisions and the ladies have been successful in the East Hockey League and Lincolnshire Ladies Hockey League. The men's first XI currently plays in the North Hockey League.  In addition the first XI has competed in the national HA Vase Competition reaching the final on occasions and are the Lincolnshire Club Champions for 2010/11. Because of the firm links now with Lincoln, it was decided a year or two ago to change the name to Lincoln Rose H C.

It is very pleasing for me, as President (and who started playing with Roses in December 1950), to relate this story,  especially remembering that in the early 50’s our men's playing strength was no more than  16, fulfilling two friendlies each week end.  In those days we played hard on and off the pitch with a very successful social ethos. How very gratifying it is to see this tradition still prevailing!!!  I look forward to the Annual Presentation Dinner Dance in April.

Neil Taylor - President