By the mid-2000s, it became clear that with an already good relationship, close proximity, shared outlook and complementary strengths a pooling of resources of the two clubs was a logical step to take. Fleet and Ewshot (F&E) merged at the end of the 2006/07 season. The new club’s foundations were greater depth in the Adult teams, a stronger Youth section, a wider coaching capability and the use of excellent facilities at the Army Hockey Centre in Aldershot. The merged club had four Men’s and three Ladies’ teams, an occasional Mixed team and many more Juniors from U12 to U16.
The Lytle Pavilion clubhouse was constructed in the early 2000’s between the pitches at Princes Avenue and this became fully available to the club for post-match teas and hospitality, use previously having been limited to just the changing rooms. A few years later a change of policy by the Defence Contractor managing the Aldershot Garrison again led to restricted use. After a somewhat tricky relationship for a period the club regained full use for weekend matches as well as evening training from 2015.
With the merged teams bedded in, the Club looked to develop further through investment in new coaching resources with particular emphasis on growing the Youth sides. Ewshot’s previous relationship with Lord Wandsworth College was maintained with Junior training continuing there for a number of years.
Well known, local coach Angie Cottee was brought in to the club so Fleet & Ewshot could establish relationships with local schools, provide coaching on-site at schools and attract new Junior members to the club, a policy that worked extremely well. In subsequent years the number and spread of Junior teams increased from U8 through to U16 and in some seasons to U18. Throughout this period numerous Club Juniors have been selected to represent Hampshire (and occasionally Surrey and Berkshire), with an over representation in the goalkeeping position thanks to the superb coaching that initially Steve Davies and more latterly, Graham Jackson provided for our ‘keepers.
A key aspect in growing and improving the Club was seeking ClubMark accreditation from England Hockey. This required considerable effort by the committee and other members and was finally completed in early 2018 at which time F&E was only the second club in Hampshire to receive it. Since then, the accreditation has been renewed twice and through this process updated plans for the ongoing development of all facets of the Club have been put in place.
Since the merger the Adult teams have had mixed fortunes. Following some re-organisation of the Hampshire League the Men’s 1st XI played for a number of years in Division 3, were relegated to Division 4 in 2015/16, but then bounced back convincingly with successive promotions in 2018/19 and 2019/20 winning the league on both occasions and scoring 105 goals in the 2019/20 season. The other Men’s teams played in lower Hampshire leagues with younger and developing players able to be introduced to Adult hockey through the Men’s 3rd XI and 4th XI’s.
A few years after the merger due to the loss of a number of players moving out of the area it was only possible to field two Ladies’ teams. In 2013/14 the Ladies 1st XI secured promotion to Hampshire Division 3 with the 2nd XI playing in Division 6. With the introduction of Back2Hockey sessions aimed at former players and through developing younger ones it was possible to re-launch a Ladies 3rd XI in 2015/16 and then start a 4th XI in 2018/19. By this season the progress made in the Ladies section was clearly apparent with the 1st XI up to Division 2, the 2nd XI in Division 4, the 3rd XI in Division 6 and the new 4th XI in Division 7.

At the end of another successful Back2Hockey Programme
Under their inspirational coach and previous long term Club player, the late Chris Bennett, the Ladies’ 1st XI also had a double success in the Hampshire Trophy winning it in 2018 and 2019. On the first occasion the final was held at Princes Avenue as F&E hosted the Hampshire (Cup Finals) Day for the third successive year.