National Div 1 South Champions

With three games still to play and after the 12 match winning run came to an end last week its fair to say that away at Canterbury wasn't the easiest place to go and win the league and leading 3-0 it was a nervy finish as Canterbury came back strongly.

But with the game finishing 2-3 the boys can now celebrate an unbelievable season as they are at 10 points clear with only two games left to play.

To follow up from last seasons promotion to go straight through is a remarkable achievement.

Richmond Mens 1st XI have had a remarkable journey over the past 15 years after being relegated down to the old Hampshire / Surrey Division 1.

With Soma Singh taking the coaching reins alongside manager Rob Green the journey started with 3 back to back promotions taking us into the National League in 2012/2013. Gareth Carr then took up the baton and alongside assistant coach Mark Pearn and manager Ben Blake we won the East Conference in 2015/16 but fell at the play off hurdle.

With England Hockey restructuring the leagues we found ourselves firstly in the West Conference and then back into the East Conference before just missing out on the split when a third tier was introduced whilst David Matthews was Coach.

With David Goodfield joining us after as head coach whilst also playing for Surbiton we've seen a change in playing style and having missed out in 2021/2022 we were promoted (just) as Champions of Conference East in 2022/23 and the start of the current season didn't give any indication of what was to come with a L and a D in the first two games but a TWELVE match winning streak took us to the brink last weekend... A very strong performance from Bath burst our bubble in front of 200 people at The Hogg but the boys weren't going to let a 2nd opportunity slip through their fingers and a 2-3 win away at Canterbury has secured the title with two games still to play.

The neutrals may have wanted a final game winner takes all at Teddington but for this writer.... I'll just take it now !

Massive thanks to Head Coach David Goodfield and Manager Ben Blake for guiding the troops.