Leek, the largest club in Staffordshire, celebrated double success as both men’s and women’s 1s battled to promotion. The men will also be playing national league hockey next season.
Leek Ladies 1st XI were the first to secure promotion with a week of the season remaining when, needing a win to ensure promotion, they dispatched Tamworth in a 12-0 rout to see promotion back to Midlands Division One.
Leek Ladies captain Nicola Weallans said: “This was an outstanding effort by the team and it was all the more satisfying to see so many of our talented juniors develop and improve as the season progressed.”
The Men’s 1st XI promotion was achieved in the final game of the season after an initial tense encounter with Telford HC.
Going into the final match level on points with second placed Loughborough Students, Leek needed to win and hoped that second placed Loughborough would not do the same and overturn their goal difference advantage.
They won 4-0 and then had the agonising wait for confirmation that Loughborough had only drawn their game before the celebrations could begin.
Leek captain Rich Cordon said: “Leek have been so close to promotion to National League in recent years so it feels amazing to finally be champions. The Championship follows the National Tier 2 Cup win last season and is a great credit to all the players, coaches, club members and supporters.
“All bar two of the team stated their careers at junior level at Leek and will now get to show their skills at a National League level.”
Club chairman Andy Spragg added: “For a small town such as Leek, we really do punch above our weight in the hockey league – and now we are bringing National League Hockey to the Moorlands! “
