Field Hockey · Interesting Facts
Chapter 8: Players & Legends
10 parts · 10 tests · 100 facts · updated 30 October 2026 · markdown
A hockey-playing murder suspect, a royal mystery, a hijacked hostess and the people behind the sport.
8.81The Suspect at Blackheath
A hockey player from Blackheath became one of the prime suspects in the Jack the Ripper murders.
Test 1Montague DruittTake a test
The evidence against him is largely circumstantial.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Montague Druitt: Blackheath Hockey Club's Ripper?' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
He stayed until his death.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Montague Druitt: Blackheath Hockey Club's Ripper?' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
He later qualified as a barrister in 1885 as well.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Montague Druitt: Blackheath Hockey Club's Ripper?' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
It was a private boarding school of about 40 boys.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Montague Druitt: Blackheath Hockey Club's Ripper?' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
It was officially ruled a suicide; he had been in the water for a month or more.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Montague Druitt: Blackheath Hockey Club's Ripper?' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
He was an Assistant Chief Constable, and the memo came out only in the 1960s.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Montague Druitt: Blackheath Hockey Club's Ripper?' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
He was a keen all-round sportsman of a very Victorian kind.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Montague Druitt: Blackheath Hockey Club's Ripper?' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
31 August 1888, November 1888, 31 December 1888, July 1889.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Montague Druitt: Blackheath Hockey Club's Ripper?' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
1881, 1885, 1894.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Montague Druitt: Blackheath Hockey Club's Ripper?' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
It was the stick game's oldest and most stubborn club.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Montague Druitt: Blackheath Hockey Club's Ripper?' (hockeymuseum.org) · applied
8.82The Prince Who Played
Was the mystery member elected to Teddington in 1880 really a prince?
Test 1Prince Albert Victor and TeddingtonTake a test
He was the eldest son of the future Edward VII.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'A Right Royal Mystery! Prince Albert Victor and Teddington Hockey Club' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
Teddington's ground lay in Bushy Park, just opposite.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'A Right Royal Mystery! Prince Albert Victor and Teddington Hockey Club' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
Museum research shows the surname is very rare.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'A Right Royal Mystery! Prince Albert Victor and Teddington Hockey Club' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
He was on HMS Bacchante from 1879 to 1882.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'A Right Royal Mystery! Prince Albert Victor and Teddington Hockey Club' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
Trinity College also helped found the Hockey Association in 1886.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'A Right Royal Mystery! Prince Albert Victor and Teddington Hockey Club' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
It came during the great 'Asiatic flu' pandemic.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'A Right Royal Mystery! Prince Albert Victor and Teddington Hockey Club' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
These claims have largely been dismissed.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'A Right Royal Mystery! Prince Albert Victor and Teddington Hockey Club' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
1864, 1880, 1883, 1886.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'A Right Royal Mystery! Prince Albert Victor and Teddington Hockey Club' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
1819, 1841, 1864, 1865.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'A Right Royal Mystery! Prince Albert Victor and Teddington Hockey Club' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
He and his brother were both on board, so a hockey club membership seems unlikely.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'A Right Royal Mystery! Prince Albert Victor and Teddington Hockey Club' (hockeymuseum.org) · applied
8.83The Hunt for Harvey Wood
England's goalkeeper at the 1908 Olympics had been credited under the wrong man's name.
Test 1Harvey WoodTake a test
Sports historians had credited Harvey Jesse Wood of Beverley.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Correcting Hockey History: the Hunt for Harvey Wood' and 'Harvey Wood: England's Mysterious Giant Goalkeeper' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
The Olympic team sheets show 'H.I. Wood'.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Correcting Hockey History: the Hunt for Harvey Wood' and 'Harvey Wood: England's Mysterious Giant Goalkeeper' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
A magazine article from the time gives a Staffordshire birthplace.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Correcting Hockey History: the Hunt for Harvey Wood' and 'Harvey Wood: England's Mysterious Giant Goalkeeper' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
His grandfather George founded it, and his father ran P&S Wood Ltd.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Correcting Hockey History: the Hunt for Harvey Wood' and 'Harvey Wood: England's Mysterious Giant Goalkeeper' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
They came in the home internationals and at the 1908 Olympics.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Correcting Hockey History: the Hunt for Harvey Wood' and 'Harvey Wood: England's Mysterious Giant Goalkeeper' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
He later worked as a bookkeeper in Bath.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Correcting Hockey History: the Hunt for Harvey Wood' and 'Harvey Wood: England's Mysterious Giant Goalkeeper' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
Yet 1908 newspapers wrote H.I. Wood about four times as often as H.J. Wood.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Correcting Hockey History: the Hunt for Harvey Wood' and 'Harvey Wood: England's Mysterious Giant Goalkeeper' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
1908, 1912, 1916, 1963.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Correcting Hockey History: the Hunt for Harvey Wood' and 'Harvey Wood: England's Mysterious Giant Goalkeeper' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
He spent two seasons in the 2nd XI before taking over the first-team goal.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Correcting Hockey History: the Hunt for Harvey Wood' and 'Harvey Wood: England's Mysterious Giant Goalkeeper' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
He apparently never played for England again after that year.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Correcting Hockey History: the Hunt for Harvey Wood' and 'Harvey Wood: England's Mysterious Giant Goalkeeper' (hockeymuseum.org) · applied
8.84Spooner the Publican
A coalminer's son who kept goal for England thirteen years apart.
Test 1Garnet Valentine SpoonerTake a test
He had begun as a coalminer, and moved up at Darfield Main Colliery.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Garnet Valentine Spooner: he's a keeper!' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
He kept the Strafford Arms near Barnsley.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Garnet Valentine Spooner: he's a keeper!' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
Teammates were mostly university men or from the military.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Garnet Valentine Spooner: he's a keeper!' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
The Great War came between, and he also spent time in Canada.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Garnet Valentine Spooner: he's a keeper!' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
A red-rose cloth badge was sewn onto it.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Garnet Valentine Spooner: he's a keeper!' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
He married there, and returned to serve in France.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Garnet Valentine Spooner: he's a keeper!' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
He then ran an off-licence in Dodworth on returning home.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Garnet Valentine Spooner: he's a keeper!' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
3-1, 4-0, 7-0, 11-2.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Garnet Valentine Spooner: he's a keeper!' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
1907, 1911, the First World War, 1924.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Garnet Valentine Spooner: he's a keeper!' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
A newspaper cartoon also gave him a very enlarged head.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Garnet Valentine Spooner: he's a keeper!' (hockeymuseum.org) · applied
8.85The Hostess and the Hijack
A former junior hockey captain was on a British Airways plane that was hijacked in 1975.
Test 1Barbara Brindley's hijackTake a test
They won 5-1 that November.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Hockey-playing hostess held hostage in hijack!' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
She was held in the cabin during the crisis.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Hockey-playing hostess held hostage in hijack!' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
The plane had been on its way from Manchester to London.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Hockey-playing hostess held hostage in hijack!' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
The hijacker thought he had reached France.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Hockey-playing hostess held hostage in hijack!' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
He held out for eight hours.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Hockey-playing hostess held hostage in hijack!' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
A gun and a grenade, both fake.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Hockey-playing hostess held hostage in hijack!' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
It was a generous reward for an unusual day at work.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Hockey-playing hostess held hostage in hijack!' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
It lasted eight hours from start to finish.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Hockey-playing hostess held hostage in hijack!' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
5-1, 8, 100.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Hockey-playing hostess held hostage in hijack!' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
It lies north of London, and the hijacker thought he was somewhere else.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Hockey-playing hostess held hostage in hijack!' (hockeymuseum.org) · applied
8.86Nova Peris
From Olympic hockey gold to Commonwealth sprint gold, and on to the Senate.
Test 1Nova PerisTake a test
They were Australia's women's team, and they won gold.
Source: Australian Olympic Committee, 'Nova Peris' (olympics.com.au); National Museum of Australia, 'Nova Peris'; Sport Australia Hall of Fame; Statues for Equality · recall
It made her the first Aboriginal Olympic gold medallist.
Source: Australian Olympic Committee, 'Nova Peris' (olympics.com.au); National Museum of Australia, 'Nova Peris'; Sport Australia Hall of Fame; Statues for Equality · recall
She took up sprinting and later reached an Olympic semi-final in it.
Source: Australian Olympic Committee, 'Nova Peris' (olympics.com.au); National Museum of Australia, 'Nova Peris'; Sport Australia Hall of Fame; Statues for Equality · recall
They came in Kuala Lumpur, the same Games as hockey's debut.
Source: Australian Olympic Committee, 'Nova Peris' (olympics.com.au); National Museum of Australia, 'Nova Peris'; Sport Australia Hall of Fame; Statues for Equality · recall
She is the only Australian to have won in two different sports at that level.
Source: Australian Olympic Committee, 'Nova Peris' (olympics.com.au); National Museum of Australia, 'Nova Peris'; Sport Australia Hall of Fame; Statues for Equality · recall
She represented the Northern Territory.
Source: Australian Olympic Committee, 'Nova Peris' (olympics.com.au); National Museum of Australia, 'Nova Peris'; Sport Australia Hall of Fame; Statues for Equality · recall
She came into parliament with a long record of public life.
Source: Australian Olympic Committee, 'Nova Peris' (olympics.com.au); National Museum of Australia, 'Nova Peris'; Sport Australia Hall of Fame; Statues for Equality · recall
1996, 1998, 2013.
Source: Australian Olympic Committee, 'Nova Peris' (olympics.com.au); National Museum of Australia, 'Nova Peris'; Sport Australia Hall of Fame; Statues for Equality · recall
1996, 1998, 2000, where she reached the semi-finals.
Source: Australian Olympic Committee, 'Nova Peris' (olympics.com.au); National Museum of Australia, 'Nova Peris'; Sport Australia Hall of Fame; Statues for Equality · recall
Few athletes change sports and keep on winning.
Source: Australian Olympic Committee, 'Nova Peris' (olympics.com.au); National Museum of Australia, 'Nova Peris'; Sport Australia Hall of Fame; Statues for Equality · applied
8.87Hockey and the Great War
Medallists of 1908 who fought and died, and a charity match in comic costume.
Test 1Hockey and the First World WarTake a test
He was 31 and serving with the Royal Field Artillery.
Source: Team GB, 'Remembering the Olympic heroes of the First World War'; The Hockey Museum, on Lt Charles Arthur Campbell and 'Christ's Hospital School's Jovial World War 1 Charity Match'; Imperial War Museum, 'Ivan Laing' · recall
He had won a bronze medal.
Source: Team GB, 'Remembering the Olympic heroes of the First World War'; The Hockey Museum, on Lt Charles Arthur Campbell and 'Christ's Hospital School's Jovial World War 1 Charity Match'; Imperial War Museum, 'Ivan Laing' · recall
Shoveller went on to win a second Olympic gold in 1920.
Source: Team GB, 'Remembering the Olympic heroes of the First World War'; The Hockey Museum, on Lt Charles Arthur Campbell and 'Christ's Hospital School's Jovial World War 1 Charity Match'; Imperial War Museum, 'Ivan Laing' · recall
Robinson died of his wounds at home in 1916.
Source: Team GB, 'Remembering the Olympic heroes of the First World War'; The Hockey Museum, on Lt Charles Arthur Campbell and 'Christ's Hospital School's Jovial World War 1 Charity Match'; Imperial War Museum, 'Ivan Laing' · recall
The 143 is the count for all nations.
Source: Team GB, 'Remembering the Olympic heroes of the First World War'; The Hockey Museum, on Lt Charles Arthur Campbell and 'Christ's Hospital School's Jovial World War 1 Charity Match'; Imperial War Museum, 'Ivan Laing' · recall
The players wore comic costumes for the occasion.
Source: Team GB, 'Remembering the Olympic heroes of the First World War'; The Hockey Museum, on Lt Charles Arthur Campbell and 'Christ's Hospital School's Jovial World War 1 Charity Match'; Imperial War Museum, 'Ivan Laing' · recall
It cared for disabled sailors and soldiers in Richmond.
Source: Team GB, 'Remembering the Olympic heroes of the First World War'; The Hockey Museum, on Lt Charles Arthur Campbell and 'Christ's Hospital School's Jovial World War 1 Charity Match'; Imperial War Museum, 'Ivan Laing' · recall
1916, 1917, 1918.
Source: Team GB, 'Remembering the Olympic heroes of the First World War'; The Hockey Museum, on Lt Charles Arthur Campbell and 'Christ's Hospital School's Jovial World War 1 Charity Match'; Imperial War Museum, 'Ivan Laing' · recall
1908, the First World War, 1920.
Source: Team GB, 'Remembering the Olympic heroes of the First World War'; The Hockey Museum, on Lt Charles Arthur Campbell and 'Christ's Hospital School's Jovial World War 1 Charity Match'; Imperial War Museum, 'Ivan Laing' · recall
A big boot would have raised the penalty corner count, the article jokes.
Source: Team GB, 'Remembering the Olympic heroes of the First World War'; The Hockey Museum, on Lt Charles Arthur Campbell and 'Christ's Hospital School's Jovial World War 1 Charity Match'; Imperial War Museum, 'Ivan Laing' · applied
8.88Twickenham, 1951
Hockey at the home of English rugby, and the £900 bill that disappeared.
Test 1Twickenham, 1951Take a test
The Hockey Association wanted to show off the game.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'The Festival of Britain's Grand International Hockey Tournament 1951' and 'A Biography of Janet Macklin' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
It had not been used for hockey before.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'The Festival of Britain's Grand International Hockey Tournament 1951' and 'A Biography of Janet Macklin' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
That was far more than the Hockey Association's yearly subscription income.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'The Festival of Britain's Grand International Hockey Tournament 1951' and 'A Biography of Janet Macklin' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
It noted the 'usual charges' would be waived given the heavy costs.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'The Festival of Britain's Grand International Hockey Tournament 1951' and 'A Biography of Janet Macklin' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
She later became Mrs Macklin.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'The Festival of Britain's Grand International Hockey Tournament 1951' and 'A Biography of Janet Macklin' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
Alistair Smallwood had played at Twickenham in the 1920s.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'The Festival of Britain's Grand International Hockey Tournament 1951' and 'A Biography of Janet Macklin' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
They fell to Belgium and Holland, before a 5-0 win.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'The Festival of Britain's Grand International Hockey Tournament 1951' and 'A Biography of Janet Macklin' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
12, 14 and 15 May 1951.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'The Festival of Britain's Grand International Hockey Tournament 1951' and 'A Biography of Janet Macklin' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
3-2, 5-0, 6-1.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'The Festival of Britain's Grand International Hockey Tournament 1951' and 'A Biography of Janet Macklin' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
Crowds fell below 1,500 in the poor weather of the last two days.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'The Festival of Britain's Grand International Hockey Tournament 1951' and 'A Biography of Janet Macklin' (hockeymuseum.org) · applied
8.89Super Mums
Hockey mothers who came back to play for England, from 1973 to today.
Test 1Super mumsTake a test
She had become a regular England defender in 1967.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Super mums: celebrating hockey mothers who returned to elite sport' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
She was back playing for England in 1973.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Super mums: celebrating hockey mothers who returned to elite sport' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
She already had a six-month-old daughter, Lucy.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Super mums: celebrating hockey mothers who returned to elite sport' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
She had returned after having a second daughter, Emily.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Super mums: celebrating hockey mothers who returned to elite sport' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
It was a fine career for someone who started so late.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Super mums: celebrating hockey mothers who returned to elite sport' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
It marked an England return after a long gap.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Super mums: celebrating hockey mothers who returned to elite sport' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
Her son Josh was born in April 2023.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Super mums: celebrating hockey mothers who returned to elite sport' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
1967, 1972, in the modern era.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Super mums: celebrating hockey mothers who returned to elite sport' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
1964, 1967, 1972, 1974.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Super mums: celebrating hockey mothers who returned to elite sport' (hockeymuseum.org) · recall
She had played for England for the first time in 1972.
Source: The Hockey Museum, 'Super mums: celebrating hockey mothers who returned to elite sport' (hockeymuseum.org) · applied
8.90Sreejesh's Number 16
India retired a shirt number for a goalkeeper, but not for all teams.
Test 1PR Sreejesh's number 16Take a test
The goalkeeper had just won his second Olympic bronze medal.
Source: The Week, 'Hockey India retires P.R. Sreejesh's No. 16 jersey', 14 August 2024; Asian Hockey Federation, 'Hockey India felicitates God of Modern Indian Hockey'; The Bridge; Outlook India · recall
It remains in use at the junior level.
Source: The Week, 'Hockey India retires P.R. Sreejesh's No. 16 jersey', 14 August 2024; Asian Hockey Federation, 'Hockey India felicitates God of Modern Indian Hockey'; The Bridge; Outlook India · recall
He can now groom the next keeper to wear the number.
Source: The Week, 'Hockey India retires P.R. Sreejesh's No. 16 jersey', 14 August 2024; Asian Hockey Federation, 'Hockey India felicitates God of Modern Indian Hockey'; The Bridge; Outlook India · recall
He retired straight after the bronze medal match.
Source: The Week, 'Hockey India retires P.R. Sreejesh's No. 16 jersey', 14 August 2024; Asian Hockey Federation, 'Hockey India felicitates God of Modern Indian Hockey'; The Bridge; Outlook India · recall
A bouquet and a memento came with it.
Source: The Week, 'Hockey India retires P.R. Sreejesh's No. 16 jersey', 14 August 2024; Asian Hockey Federation, 'Hockey India felicitates God of Modern Indian Hockey'; The Bridge; Outlook India · recall
It was used for that celebration of his career.
Source: The Week, 'Hockey India retires P.R. Sreejesh's No. 16 jersey', 14 August 2024; Asian Hockey Federation, 'Hockey India felicitates God of Modern Indian Hockey'; The Bridge; Outlook India · recall
He is the federation's secretary general.
Source: The Week, 'Hockey India retires P.R. Sreejesh's No. 16 jersey', 14 August 2024; Asian Hockey Federation, 'Hockey India felicitates God of Modern Indian Hockey'; The Bridge; Outlook India · recall
2012, 2016, 2020, 2024.
Source: The Week, 'Hockey India retires P.R. Sreejesh's No. 16 jersey', 14 August 2024; Asian Hockey Federation, 'Hockey India felicitates God of Modern Indian Hockey'; The Bridge; Outlook India · recall
All within a few days of each other.
Source: The Week, 'Hockey India retires P.R. Sreejesh's No. 16 jersey', 14 August 2024; Asian Hockey Federation, 'Hockey India felicitates God of Modern Indian Hockey'; The Bridge; Outlook India · recall
He comes from the south-western tip of India, a long way from hockey's Punjab heartland.
Source: The Week, 'Hockey India retires P.R. Sreejesh's No. 16 jersey', 14 August 2024; Asian Hockey Federation, 'Hockey India felicitates God of Modern Indian Hockey'; The Bridge; Outlook India · applied
Sources
Primary/official sources only, no Wikipedia citations: the FIH and its continental federations, national associations, The Hockey Museum, the Olympic Channel and Olympedia, Guinness World Records, clubs' and makers' own histories, museums and named reputable media.
- The Hockey Museum, 'Montague Druitt: Blackheath Hockey Club's Ripper?' (hockeymuseum.org)10
- The Hockey Museum, 'A Right Royal Mystery! Prince Albert Victor and Teddington Hockey Club' (hockeymuseum.org)10
- The Hockey Museum, 'Correcting Hockey History: the Hunt for Harvey Wood' and 'Harvey Wood: England's Mysterious Giant Goalkeeper' (hockeymuseum.org)10
- The Hockey Museum, 'Garnet Valentine Spooner: he's a keeper!' (hockeymuseum.org)10
- The Hockey Museum, 'Hockey-playing hostess held hostage in hijack!' (hockeymuseum.org)10
- Australian Olympic Committee, 'Nova Peris' (olympics.com.au); National Museum of Australia, 'Nova Peris'; Sport Australia Hall of Fame; Statues for Equality10
- Team GB, 'Remembering the Olympic heroes of the First World War'; The Hockey Museum, on Lt Charles Arthur Campbell and 'Christ's Hospital School's Jovial World War 1 Charity Match'; Imperial War Museum, 'Ivan Laing'10
- The Hockey Museum, 'The Festival of Britain's Grand International Hockey Tournament 1951' and 'A Biography of Janet Macklin' (hockeymuseum.org)10
- The Hockey Museum, 'Super mums: celebrating hockey mothers who returned to elite sport' (hockeymuseum.org)10
- The Week, 'Hockey India retires P.R. Sreejesh's No. 16 jersey', 14 August 2024; Asian Hockey Federation, 'Hockey India felicitates God of Modern Indian Hockey'; The Bridge; Outlook India10