History

Barford Tigers Hockey Club was founded in 1966 and has grown into one of Birmingham’s leading community clubs, with more than 130 playing members. The Tigers run five men’s teams, two women’s teams, an under-16 side, and a thriving junior section drawn from the surrounding areas.

Achievements

  • Presence in the Men’s English Hockey National League Premier Division (Top Hockey Division in England): 1994-1997

  • National Indoor Hockey finalists (Televised on BBC): 1995 & 1996

  • Ladies 1XI National Cup Finalists (Tier 4) & shortlisted ‘England Hockey Team of the Year’: 2019

  • Club voted English National League Umpires ‘Most Sociable Club of the Year’: 2006 & 2007

  • Jimmy Singh 100 National League Goals: 2009-2010

  • Veterans (over 40’s) National Cup Winners: 2009

  • Veterans (over 50’s) National Plate Winners: 2018

  • Men’s 1XI return to the English Hockey National League: 2019

  • Men’s 1XI promoted to National League Division 1 North: 2022

  • Girls u12s team: 2025 (first in the club’s history)

  • Boys U12s In2Midlands Hockey Finals: 2026

Roots at Barford Boys School

In the early 1960s, Barford Boys School in Ladywood and other Birmingham secondary schools began fielding boys’ hockey teams as new pupils arrived from India and Pakistan. At Barford Boys, P.E. teacher Henry da Silva worked tirelessly to find opposition, sometimes playing girls’ schools and traveling as far as Redditch by public transport. The team became skilful and ambitious, and by 1965-66 they were competing fully in the fledgling Birmingham Schoolboys’ Hockey Association, reaching the under-16 semi-finals with players selected for representative sides.

When Mr da Silva moved to Leicester at Christmas 1965, Malcolm Challoner took over as P.E. teacher. With most players in their final school year and eager to keep playing after leaving, Malcolm contacted local clubs to place the boys. No offers came, so the players decided to form their own club.

Founding year 1966

A first meeting at the school on 7 June 1966 agreed a simple constitution and elected officers: Captain Gurnam Singh Aktar, Vice-Captain Asif Ali, and Malcolm Challoner as Secretary and Treasurer, with Jinder Singh and David Brotherton on the committee. Fixtures for the 1966-67 season were arranged, but the new club still needed a ground and basic kit.

Help arrived via Birmingham’s Commonwealth Liaison Officer, L. A. Gibbs, who loaned the club £13 for shirts and balls and helped secure Saturday afternoon pitch hire at Cadbury’s Rowheath, Bournville, for £1 per match. That practical support made the club a reality.

First match

17 September 1966 vs Rubery Owen

Result: Tigers won 3–2

Scorers: Asif Ali (1), Sawaran Chana (2)

Former pupils of Barford and Stanmore (Barford’s successor school) formed the core of the early squads, with many staying involved for years.

Climbing the ladder

Since the formation of the England Hockey National League in 1974, Barford Tigers have competed in the structure for 27 seasons, joining in 1990 and at times reaching the top tier, the Premier Division. The club has won tournaments around the country and featured in several indoor finals televised by the BBC and Sky Sports.

Who we are today

Barford Tigers is a diverse, community-driven club and one of only two Asian-heritage clubs competing at the highest levels of the England Hockey League. Weekly league hockey is delivered across men’s, women’s, junior and masters teams, supported by strong player pathways.

Looking ahead

Building on recent on-pitch success, the club aims to establish a permanent home in the Handsworth district of Birmingham. Plans focus on a purpose-built facility that will secure long-term training and match provision for all sections, while deepening the club’s community impact.

Heritage Project

50 years of Barford Tigers is a young people led, intergenerational oral history sports project that marks the 50th anniversary of the club. The project is supporting young people to further develop their heritage and life skills as they explore the incredible history of Barford Tigers and share their discoveries with the wider public.