From 1913 Onwards...
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It can be assumed that the founder members, who met on 15th April 1913 in the Union Public Hall, and "decided to form a hockey club", did not in their wildest dreams believe that over ninety years later the name "Stepps" would be familiar to followers of the sport the world over. This, however, is undoubtedly the case. Over the intervening years the club has produced ten full senior internationalists, two of whom played for Great Britain, one Under-23 internationalist, four Under-21 internationalists, and a further twelve schoolboy/youth internationalists. Additionally, five members have gained international umpiring honours.
The founders were A.D.Montgomery (Chairman), R.Auber, J.Barnett, F.Cook, E.C.Hart, R.M.Pitcairn, J.Stewart and B.Wallace. Office-bearers elected at that time were P.Edgar (President), E.C.Hart (Vice-President), J.Barnett (Secretary & Treasurer) and A.D.Montgomery (Club Captain). Ordinary Committee members were H.Riach, R.Auber, F.Cook and J.Stewart. The first playing pitch was next to the existing Cricket Ground, on roughly the same site as the present Mount Harriet pitches. Rent of 2 10s was to be paid to Mr Pettigrew, the local farmer, and 10s to the Cricket Club for use of its pavilion and entrance to the ground. Goalposts were purchased and erected for 8s. The first match, on 29th April, was against Babcock & Wilcox. The first season was so successful that many people wanted to join the club, and so a 2nd XI was formed and fixtures arranged for it. Twenty-four matches were played by the 1st XI, with 14 won, 6 lost and 4 drawn - "A record for a first-year club" stated the Secretary's Report.
Over the next forty years there were ongoing problems with the playing surface and clubhouse facilities at Mount Harriet. The accusation was levelled by opponents that "Mount Harriet was a peat bog and worth two goals of a start at Stepps". Considerable amounts of time and money were spent by members and friends, to rectify these problems. Eventually the problem of the pitch was solved through the efforts of local County Councillor D. Pollock Smith, and negotiations with the Ninth District Council of Lanarkshire. The level was raised by infilling with surplus materials from County Council schemes; this was followed by drainage and resurfacing. The "new" ground was opened on 1st May 1954, by the President of the Scottish Hockey Association at that time, Mr W.F.M.Whitelaw.
In Season 1954-55 a Ladies' Section was established. At that period the West section of the Scottish Hockey Association took the important decision to allow fully competitive hockey to be played. During the following season, on 28th April 1956, the SHA played their international game against Wales at Mount Harriet. Local interest centred on George Black, who was in goal for Scotland. This was a real "red letter day" for the club. Improvements to the clubhouse facilities were made over the next few years, until in August 1969 the building was replaced by a more modern structure. In 1976 the Stepps Club was one of the first to enjoy sponsorship, when Caledonia Crane Hire provided track-suits, holdalls and strips for the 1st XI. In 1979 negotiations took place with Strathkelvin District Council concerning use of the pitches and (particularly) the clubhouse. The Council agreed to take over both, and provide much needed finance; a new lease was then finalised.
Over its long history the club has had its "peaks and troughs" on the field of play. There was a period between 1966 and 1975 when the 1st XI won eight West District Championship titles, soon after moving up from the Second Division in 1964, as Champions. From 1977 "professionalism" became the watchword, with more time required for training and coaching. Affiliation with Chryston High School took place, and coaching sessions commenced on Saturday mornings. This arrangement proved very successful, in bringing several young talented players to the fore.
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