The Union game of hockey in England : 1887-1895

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to consider the spread and decline of the Union game of hockey as played under the rules of the National Hockey Union (NHU) in England. The historical materials used were derived mainly from the minutes of the NHU, and local and sporting newspapers. The results of this study are summarized as follows. 1) The NHU was a governing body that adopted and standardized the Blackheath game as played under the rules of the Blackheath Hockey Club. The clubs in Bristol usually conducted meetings of the NHU. Spread of the clubs affiliated to the NHU was confined to within Bristol and Blackheath, and the number of HNU clubs never exceeded 13 or 14. 2) The rules of play were similar under both the Blackheath game and the Union game. However, new regulations were added to the Union game, including shortening of the distance between the goals, introduction of umpires and a referee, and codifying the penalties for infractions of the rules. 3) After the formation of the NHU, the Union game achieved regular popularity in and around Bristol. The game was at its peak in the season 1891 / 92. 4) After the season 1893 / 94, the Association game as played under the rules of the Hockey Association gained favor in the West of England. The Union game, on the other hand, lost its popularity. Because of the principal Union clubs adopting the Association game and becoming affiliated to the WCHA, which was the Western branch of the Hockey Association, the NHU was dissolved in March 1895. The decline of the Union game can be explained by the broad diffusion of the Association game and the gap between the ideals of the Union and the Association games.