English_Hockey_League_(field_hockey)
Men's England Hockey League
English field hockey league structure
The Men's England Hockey League is a field hockey league organised by England Hockey that features men's teams from England and Wales.
Current season, competition or edition: 2023–24 Men's England Hockey League season | |
| Sport | Field hockey |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1974; 50 years ago (1974) |
| First season | 1974–75 |
| Administrator | England Hockey |
| No. of teams | 12 (Premier Division) 10 (Division 1 South) 10 (Division 1 North) 30 (Conference teams) |
| Country | England |
| Confederation | EHF (Europe) |
| Most recent champion(s) | Old Georgians (3rd title) (2023–24) |
| Most titles | Cannock (7 titles) |
| Relegation to | Division One (North or South) |
| Domestic cup(s) | England Hockey Men's Championship Cup |
| International cup(s) | Euro Hockey League |
| Official website | Men's Hockey League |
Regular season
There are 62 teams in the league, the top tier consists of a Premier Division of twelve teams. Below this is tier two, which consists of two ten-team Division One regional teams (North and South). The third tier consists of three regional conferences North, West, and East, all consisting of ten teams. The teams play each other home and away during an 18 week season from September to April. The league has a winter break between December and February. [1] The winners of the Premier Division regular season automatically qualify to play in the Euro Hockey League.[2]
League Finals Weekend
The top four Premier Division teams from the regular season qualify for the League Finals Weekend. The team that wins this tournament will be overall champions of the Men's England Hockey League and will qualify to play in the Euro Hockey League. If the team finishing top of the Premier Division at the end of the regular season also wins the League Finals Weekend tournament, the tournament runners-up will qualify as England's second team in the Euro Hockey League. [2]
The Men's National League was introduced for the first time in 1974–75.
By club
| Club | Championships | Runners-up | Winning seasons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cannock | 7 | 2 | 1995–96, 1997–98, 1998–99, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06 |
| Reading | 6 | 7 | 1996–97, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2011–12 |
| Slough | 6 | 1 | 1975–76, 1979–80, 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1986–87 |
| East Grinstead | 4 | 6 | 1984–85, 1985–86, 2008–09, 2009–10 |
| Southgate | 4 | 3 | 1976–77, 1977–78, 1987–88, 1988–89 |
| Surbiton | 3 | 6 | 2016–17, 2017–18, 2019–20 |
| Havant | 3 | 1 | 1990–91, 1992–92, 1993–94 |
| Beeston | 3 | 1 | 2010–11, 2012–13, 2013–14 |
| Old Georgians | 3 | 0 | 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023-24 |
| Hounslow | 2 | 2 | 1989–90, 1992–93 |
| Wimbledon | 2 | 1 | 2014–15, 2015–16 |
| Hampstead & Westminster | 1 | 2 | 2018–19 |
| Bedfordshire Eagles | 1 | 1 | 1974–75 |
| Isca | 1 | 1 | 1978–79 |
| Teddington | 1 | 1 | 1994–95 |
| Canterbury | 1 | 1 | 1999–2000 |
| Neston | 1 | 0 | 1983–84 |
| Westcliff | 0 | 2 | |
| Bury St Edmunds YMCA | 0 | 1 | |
| Trojans | 0 | 1 | |
| Cambridge City | 0 | 1 | |
| Fareham | 0 | 1 | |
| Lyons | 0 | 1 | |
| Old Loughtonians | 0 | 1 | |
| Stourport | 0 | 1 | |
| Indian Gymkhana | 0 | 1 | |
| Holcombe | 0 | 1 |
By region
| Region | Championships | Clubs |
|---|---|---|
| South East England | 26 | Reading (6), Slough (6), East Grinstead (4), Havant (3), Surbiton (3), Canterbury (1), Old Georgians (3) |
| Greater London | 10 | Southgate (4), Hounslow (2), Wimbledon (2), Teddington (1), Hampstead & Westminster (1) |
| West Midlands | 7 | Cannock (7) |
| East Midlands | 3 | Beeston (3) |
| South West England | 1 | Isca (1) |
| North West England | 1 | Neston (1) |
| East of England | 1 | Bedfordshire Eagles (1) |
- "Men's Hockey League". www.englandhockey.co.uk. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
- "Play-Offs". www.englandhockey.co.uk. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
- "M1 Retain Their MHL Title With Sudden Death Shootout". surbitonhc.com. 29 April 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
- "M1 & L1 Champions, L2 Promoted". Surbiton Hockey Club.
- "Five-Star Old Georgians Secure First Ever Men's Premier Division Title". England Hockey. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
- "England: Surbiton And Old Georgians Crowned Premier Division Champions | Hockey World News". 13 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.