Didsbury Northern begun its existence in 1947, as Chorlton-cum-Hardy Hockey Club. The ladies club started somewhere in the 1950s and although under the same Chorlton name, was run as a separate entity. The club had been under the Chorlton banner for 43 years when, in 1990 through the need for an astroturf pitch, the clubs name was changed to Manchester YMCA Hockey Club. Somewhere around this time, it was decided that both the men’s and ladies clubs should join under a single banner, a relationship that not only remains but has strengthened and is now firmly a part of the club culture.
The Didsbury areas first connection with the club was in 1994 when a move to a new clubhouse prompted the change in name to Didsbury Northern Hockey Club, the name by which the club is now known. Didsbury after the suburb of Manchester that the club had relocated to and Northern, from the name of the clubs new headquarters at the Northern Lawn Tennis Club. The club not only changed names but changed colours to a full green strip as part of a sponsorship deal and played in these until 2000 when the club decided to return to the original green and white halves of the original Chorton-cum-Hardy side.
The success, particularly in the men's side of the club has been fantastic since the turn of the millenium with the club becoming the first Manchester side in the 34 year history of the Lancashire Cup to win the competition in 2004.
The club has not forgetten it's past and the club’s touring name became the ‘Chorlton Sharks’, a side still touring with many of the old die hards to this day.
The club currently operates 7 Men's teams, 6 Ladies teams and a badgers (juniors) team, which play in various divisions of the Northwest Hockey league, with the Mens 1st team currently in the Northern Premier League Division 1 and the Ladies 1st team in the Greater Manchester Division 1.
League hockey is played on a weekly basis in the months September through to April with home games played at the pitch at Manchester High School for Girls in Fallowfield, Parrs Wood High School in Didsbury and The Firs in Fallowfield.
Summer hockey is played from May to August with 11 a side mens and 7-a-side ladies and mixed hockey played.
Didsbury's kit is green and white halved shirts, black shorts/skirts with green and white hooped socks. Away kit is maroon shirts and socks.
During the closed period, the club has active participation at various hockey festivals such as Leek, Sale, Cannock, Highfields, the Isle of Man International Hockey Festival and the Banks International Hockey Festival in Barbados.
The club has an excellent social base, and has organised events throughout the playing season. In fact the club prides itself on the great balance it has, between competitive hockey and social atmosphere.
DNHC is a friendly but ambitious club that is actively recruiting any new players whatever the ability or experience.
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