ABOUT US

A FEW WORDS FROM OUR PRESIDENT

I have been fortunate enough to have been part of the club for the past 44 years, starting off as a youngster in the squab’s team where many have started their hockey career. Somehow the body has allowed me to continue playing since then and now honoured to have been made the clubs forth President this year in its 103 years.

The club runs 4 Men’s, 3 Ladies and Boys and Girls Development Teams. All thrive for higher leagues but what makes Pelicans what it is today is the family spirit of the club. With the introduction of Hockey Heroes for those aged 6 through to those still playing at 60+ we offer hockey for all.

Our junior section has always been strong and its great watching over 100 children aged up to 12 years old training on a Saturday morning and that is mainly due to the work all the coaches and team behind the junior section put in to make the sessions so enjoyable and the transition to adult hockey is made so much easier because of them. Unfortunately, we lose some each year as they fly the nest and head off to university or jobs but many like to come back and play when around which is so good that they think of the club as home.

Like many other sports it is hard at times to maintain playing numbers as weekend time is valuable to families so I must thank all those on the committee and captains who work tirelessly each week, so teams are filled, and I ask that where possible plyers make themselves available as much as possible.

Thank you to our band of umpires, some are players, some are ex-players that want to stay involved, others are non-playing parents that want to give something back for the enjoyment their child has had. If you would like to become an umpire full support and training will be given to help you. We are always looking for more umpires and from a “poacher turned gamekeeper” it is a very enjoyable way of being part of the game.

So, if you have recently moved to the area or looking for another club to join there is no better club to join, you will be made welcome from the start and “Once a Pelican always a Pelican”.

Charlie Lankfer

President

OUR HISTORY

Hockey in the King's Lynn area had been played on a friendly basis from the early years in the 1900s. There were several clubs in the town: South Lynn, Achilles, Gaywood and Wootton and men's, ladies and mixed sides were running on an occasional basis from 1918 to the end of the 1930s. Heacham, Clenchwarton, Terrington, Stoke Ferry and Downham Market all had teams and reports all suggest that games were hard fought!

King Edward VII School played hockey in the early years and in 1920 discussions took place between some of the staff and local businessmen about forming a Men's club. On 16th December 1920 the inaugural meeting of Pelicans Hockey Club was held. The club's close links with KES has remained throughout the years with several pupils being taught hockey at school by staff who were members of Pelicans and then progressing into the club itself. This is still true of today.

The Pelicans Hockey Club that was founded from this meeting in December 1920 took their name from the Pelican that surmounts the King's Lynn town crest tearing its breast. This alludes to the myth that Pelicans feed their young (a Squab) on their own blood! Regrettably, this macabre action is often practised nowadays on the all weather pitch and in the club bar!

They played on a series of different home grounds, and moved to North Runcton in 1945-46. Originally a mixed club, the women's section was discontinued when the club reformed after the Second World War. The club was suspended for these years (1939-45) during which time the clubroom was wrecked and the ground was lost.

The club was based at North Runcton for over 50 years until moving to LynnSport in 1996.

In 2016 and following a successful fundraising campaign, the club completed development of two new hockey pitches which are arguably the best pitches in the county if not further.

We are very proud of our history and excited for the future of hockey at Pelicans Hockey Club.