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According to the local paper of January 19th
1894 the first fixture was played at St. John's Paddock on the
previous Saturday by a mens team against the Oxford Graduates.Ten
years later, until the First World War, a mixed eleven was playing
regularly at Howbery Park in Crowmarsh in green and white kit. The
next reference related to the use once again of the Paddock for a
team of men, one of whom, Harry Duck, was still playing for
Wallingford 50 years later.
The club grew and prospered with the
establishment of Ladies and Mixed teams right up to 1939 when war
again intervened. The Club was revived in 1947 with two mens teams
playing in the Bullcroft and sharing changing facilities with the
Wallingford Football Club. The Wednesday XI was composed mainly of
tradespeople and farmers, whilst in the Saturday side, teachers and
businessmen predominated. In the 1960s a mixed team developed for
Sunday fixtures, also a separate Ladies club was formed using a
pitch at the Grammar School. The fact that both girls and boys had
the opportunity to learn the skills at school provided a major
stimulus to the sport in the area, and soon five or six teams were
playing each week.
Negotiations with the Hospital Authorities
resulted in the establishment of two pitches at the Paddock plus the
purchase and building of a Clubhouse with changing rooms. Members
provided the funds and the labour for this project. The rapid growth
of Hockey and other sports in the town created a demand for the
provision of better facilities which was resolved by the Town
Council's generous granting of a 28 year lease of their land at the
Hithercroft, together with the formation of the Sports Trust, a
co-operative venture which provided a home for seven clubs.
Eventually the two Hockey Clubs joined forces, an all weather pitch
constructed and the Wildcats juniors were established.
Our thoughts should go out to the pioneers who,
100 years ago, laid the foundations of a club which has given the
citizens of Wallingford and the surrounding area great happiness and
recreation. Should anyone have even the slightest doubt about the
future of the Club, come down to the Hithercroft on a Sunday morning
in the autumn and behold 100 children from aged 5 upwards learning
the skills of our special game at THEIR town's Sports Park.
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