History

We are a small club but we've been around over 100 years!

The following is small extract from a document written by a past member for a previous anniversary. The full document can be found in the Documents section.

In 1916 women’s hockey clubs were springing up in Manchester and the Young ladies class at Moss Side Baptist Sunday Scheool - a group of fine well-built jolly girls in their late teens or early 20’s - decided they would like to play hockey too. None of them knew the game so they approached my uncle, Mr. Ernest Tredwell, and Jessie Barber’s father and I think Messrs. Vincent and Vernon Watts(who later gave much valuable aid in coaching, refereeing and as Vice Presidents) for help in the formation of a club. Mr Tredwell became their first treasurer and he and Mr. Barber regualrly refereed the matches. As I had just started to learn hockey at school they kindly allowed me (a small 12 year old) to join them. The first season we lost every match and I remember I was scared stiff of our large well made opponents.

The following season, when I left for one year to join the Girl Guides, the team began to win. What a thrill! Fortunately for the next few seasons the team remained the same and our play improved greatly. Two vivid memories are of the flying feet of Katherine Bowker (now Watkins) and Jessie Barber on the forward lineas they passed the ball to each otherand finally scored; and our two stalwart backs, Rose Francis and Nellie Murgatroyed. Many an opposing forward slowed down as Rose dashed forward and the hit the ball with a mighty wack nearly through our opponent’s goal...

... Some of us can look back to the beginning of our Club in 1916 and some not quite so long but I think all will agree that ‘Moss Side Baptist’ has a wonderful and outstanding record over the years of exemplary conduct both on and off the feild of play. More over, valued and lasting friendships have been forged which represent something of in estimable value to us all.