There has been men's hockey played at Bolton Cricket Club, since before World War II. Former member, John Lord, has commented that the Hockey Club fluctuated between Bolton CC and Bury Sports Club. However, the present Bolton Hockey Club, has no direct link with this.

In 1964/5 members of a local tennis club, Bank Top Tennis Club, after playing a few mixed games decided to form a men's team. They played a few friendly games on park pitches before obtaining a base at Bolton CC for the 1965/6 season. The annual subscription was then £3.00.

During the next few years the club attracted a few more former Bury players together with students and newcomers to the town. Although the standard of hockey improved it was hard to obtain fixtures with the bigger clubs. This was made more difficult because the membership of the Lancashire Hockey Association was restricted to a Colts Club status. However, the club attracted a few very good players, particularly at the younger end and managed to run two teams.

In 1970 the officials of Bolton CC, with some justification, did not consider that the club were pulling their weight and a meeting was held with the Club Chairman, in an attempt to establish a better relationship. As a result of this meeting the club tried to participate more actively and played a big part in the Club Gala, which was held in September 1970. Nevertheless, the new found optimism about the future at Bolton CC, was not shared by four members of the 1st team, who left to join Wigan, before the start of the 1970/1 season.

Less than two years later, in July or August 1972, the hockey section were informed by the secretary of Bolton CC, that at the last monthly General Committee Meeting the members present had voted for hockey to cease being played at the Club. Significantly, the hockey section had no representative at the meeting. If they had of done and voted in favour, the hockey section would certainly not have been thrown out. The cricket section had much influence and were never really enthusiastic about the ground being used for hockey, especially as our presence was of little or no financial benefit to the Club as a whole. The decision was rather short-sighted, for the Committee had obviously not considered the potential of our section with its many young members.

The club then moved to join up with Bury Hockey Club. They were looking to field four team for the forthcoming season, but were finding it difficult to do so. As twenty of our members decided to make this move, it meant that Bury HC would not only have adequate players for their fourth team but would also be able to run a fifth XI and would be able to integrate many of Bolton's fixtures with their own. During the first year at Bury the club ran two parallel 3rd teams, 3 & 3A, the latter being made up from the Bolton contingent.

After a few years a number of members, who had previously played at Bolton, felt that there was a need for men's hockey to be played in Bolton again. Hockey was still being played at Bolton School and a large number of the players at Bury Hockey Club lived in the Bolton area. The major problem at the time was that of finding a ground of suitable size. With the exception of Eagley Cricket Club, where ladies hockey was played on land adjacent to the cricket area, the outfield at Bolton Cricket Club was still the most suitable to accommodate a near to full size hockey pitch. Since Bolton CC were still experiencing financial problems, Harold Smith was informed by one of the Club's officials, at the end of 1984, that it would be an opportune time to contact the officials of the Club. In February 1985, Harold wrote to Bolton Cricket Club to enquire whether they would be prepared to accommodate men's hockey again. The Club then suggested that we should arrange a meeting with their Management Committee.

Whilst Harold's approach to Bolton CC was not popular with several of the Bury members, it transpired that Bury Sports Club was considering the sale of their second cricket area, on which the 3rd team hockey pitch was sited. With this in mind and the fact that the club would effectively bring two teams to Bolton, the Bury Hockey Club committee decided that they would consider moving en bloc to Bolton. Representatives from their committee were then present at the meeting with Bolton CC's management committee. Subsequently Bury HC committee voted for the move to Bolton.

With the experience of the earlier 'stay' at Bolton, Harold was determined that the club would play an active part in the Cricket Club and it is pleasing that this has continued to the present.

As you are fully aware we are now a very important force at the Club, mainly because of the amount of money we spend over the bar. We now seem to have virtual exclusive use of the bar on match days. Long may it continue!

Thanks to Harold Smith for providing the necessary information. It is very much appreciated.