Syston Mixed Hockey Club
CLUB HISTORY
1970's
Founded in the during the summer of 1967 as “Rest Assured” the bed manufacturer. The founder, and driving force for over thirty years was Angela Shenton. Most, but not all members were employees at the company’s Syston factory. The first kit consisted of sky blue shirts and socks with white shorts.
The first pitch was on the park at Birstall. They played in the LMHA 4th division in season 1967/68 and finished bottom! In the 1968/69 season, they were runners up in the 4th division.
In season 1969/70 the name was changed to “Syston MHC”. Now in the 3rd division they won that division and the junior cup. Geoff Shilcock, an ex player and first president of the club took them under his wing and coached them with much improved results. They switched to a pitch on the Syston memorial park in season 1970/71 and finished mid table in Division 2. In 1971/72 season they missed out on promotion to division 1 by two points.
In 1972 a second team was started, this was Syston ‘B’, the original team was ‘A’ . The B’ team played in the 4th division in season 1972/73, the kit was orange shirts and socks with black shorts. This team was very successful and won the league and Junior cup in the first season. The ‘A’ team were runners up in division 2 on goal average, the last year goal average was used.
The people in the picture from the left are: Sue Barratt, Roy Barratt, Joan Bunting, Dave Smith, Keith Copping, Frank Lenton, Angela Shenton, John Webb, Mick Bursnell, Roy Lively, Anneyce Barradell, Aileen Smith, last but not least Paul Shenton.
1980’s
The 1980's saw Syston A Win Division 1 for five seasons! 1986 also saw the club change its name to Syston Mixed Hockey Club.
Syston have won 10 division one titles, 2 division two titles, 3 division three titles, 1 division four title, 7 senior cup win, 2 junior cup win, 1 plate win and 4 sevens wins; making Syston the MOST SUCCESSFUL mixed team in the league history.
2005/06 Sportsmanship Trophy
1992
This photo was taken at the Syston Rugby Clubhouse on Fosse Way at the 25th year party in 1992.
The group are the members from the first two years. The lads not on the 1970 picture who are on this one are:- 7th & 8th from the right are Alan Webb and Barry Stone. 11th from the right in the leather jacket is Malcolm Pell.