Timperley Sports Club

A brief history of the first 125 years.


1902 - 1927

The Cricket and tennis club ground at the turn of the century was maintained by a horse drawn mower, for which the horse had to wear leather boots to avoid damaging the pitch. It was owned by the then President of the club, Mr F. A Tomlinson who subsequently sold it to the local council, with a covenant that it should always be preserved in perpetuity as a sports ground for the local community. This contractual obligation has remained binding until today.

Around the same time replaced it first pavilion with a second building that was to continue to be used until 2002. Original it did not have sewer connections, but had a cesspool - that must have been rather unpleasant in warm weather. There was a stable for the horse and the Cricket professional, a Mr T. E. Honson also acted as groundsman and coach.

Timperley Hockey Club had continued to play a prominent role in the development of Hockey in Cheshire and the North and eventually in 1908 it moved its ground to where it is today. However, it was still managed as a 'separate club' and rented the ground from the Cricket Club. Committee meeting and changing facilities were provided at the adjacent Hare and Hounds pub. During this pre-war period 24 Timperley members represented Cheshire, whilst Len Parker (Goal) and Stanley Menzies (left half) also played for England.

In those days, umpiring decisions were only made when players appealed by raising an arm - the whistle was then blown and a decision made. If a goal was scored and on appeal the umpires were not in agreement - the goal in question was recorded as 'disputed' and the issue was settled later in the Hare and Hounds. Ocassionally, this led to acrimonious correspondence between the clubs and the result of a game may not be 'officially' confirmed for several weeks.

On 30th September 1914, it was recorded that: 'The Club be held in abeyance under the same officers until such time as it is deemed expedient to restart hockey' After World War One in 1919 - the Patron of the Cricket & Tennis Club: F A Tomlinson (the same), the President, T.F. Tattersall and the Secretary, C. H Tattersall convinced the Hockey Committee of the benefits of a unification and in 1919 the club was re-constituted under the name: Timperley Cricket, Hockey and Lawn Tennis Club.

The first reference to Ladies Hockey was in the fixture book for the 1922-23 season where the rules of the club state that: 'Ladies matches shall be played on Wednesdays' and they shall have their own committee and arrange their own fixtures, but in all other respects to be subject to the decision of the Mens Hockey Committee'!!