After 50 years of tradition, Mendip HC is ending and merging with City of Bath Hockey Club to ensure continued opportunities to play and encourage more grassroots hockey throughout the community.
Following the 2026/27 season, many Mendip players will take their next step at City of Bath. The combined entity will be a City of Bath team with eight senior squads, with mixed and masters hockey, as well as the junior team from under-8 to under-16 age groups.
As the club prepares for the new season, the club provides men’s, women’s and Back to Hockey sessions which are played by around 100 players. City of Bath does not look back on Mendip’s past, it has embraced it; City of Bath’s identity has been woven into that of Mendip. The crest has been revised to incorporate the Year 1975 the formation of Mendip as Timsbury Ladies Hockey Club.
The combination is also a tribute to City of Bath’s own history. The club was founded in 2000, as the result of two other existing clubs in Bath uniting and the latest move is thus part of that joint history of the two Bath-based clubs.
James Hills, chairperson of the City of Bath, said that grassroots sports clubs are experiencing similar issues, such as access to facilities and the selection of volunteers to play the sport themselves. The synergy would provide enhanced strength and sustainability of the club, in addition to the preservation of the history and identity of the organisations involved, he said.
It comes after a few good games for City of Bath on the ball field. It has been promoted into the 2024/25 season in 2024/25 with its women’s first and second teams, meanwhile, the men’s first XI earned the promotion last season.
Now with its ambition of feeding into younger age and ability groups the club hopes to raise National League hockey to Bath.
As one of City of Bath’s men’s club captains, former Mendip chairman Max Spalton said maintaining the community and friendships created over 50 years had never been more important in the decision.
The link-up will allow Mendip to perpetuate the club’s history and provide its players with a greater club and opportunities.
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