In 1986 to coincide with Fleet Hockey Club’s 60th anniversary an agreement was reached with the cricket club and local company System Designers International for the club to use the recently improved and expanded Calthorpe Park clubhouse throughout the hockey season. [SDI used the clubhouse for employee social functions]. An event to launch the partnership was held at the start of the season with extensive publicity to attract new members. By this time the Club had well over 100 members.
With its growing membership the Club was able to take part in numerous other hockey activities outside regular league fixtures. These encompassed many pre- and post-season tours and festivals including trips to the Isle of Man, Jersey, Weston Super Mare, Hailsham and Windsor. However, the most ambitious and exciting was undoubtedly the Kenya Tour in 1988. This was organised by Alban and Shelagh De Souza who had joined the club in the 1980’s. Over 30 players and family members went on the highly successful trip which encompassed a number of matches against local sides. Alban and Shelagh were Men’s 1st XI and Ladies 1st XI captains for a number of years in the 1980’s and 1990’s.

Fleet HC Kenya Tour Party 1988 (pictured outside Calthorpe Park clubhouse)

In the league the Men’s sides continued to perform solidly. The Men’s 1st XI remained in the Hampshire/Surrey Regional League until the mid-1990’s when they were relegated. They were promoted back in 1997/98. Following the re-launch of the Ladies’ teams the 1st XI were regular members of Hampshire Division 1 with the Ladies’ 2nd XI also playing in the league and being used to develop younger and newer club members. The Ladies’ 1st XI was the best performing team in the Club three times in the 1990’s per the criteria of the ‘Scott Cup’ [highest percentage of wins].
The 1990’s saw Fleet playing and training regularly on the local Astro pitches (but none in the town!) enabling the Club to remain competitive with other clubs as the sport continued to evolve rapidly. The clubhouse in Calthorpe Park remained in use for post-match teas.
Off the pitch the end of season Dinner Dances continued to be well attended and were often held at local golf clubs which allowed some keen members a round during the afternoon before dressing for dinner! As well as the Scott Cup a number of other trophies recognising achievements during the season for teams and individuals were awarded during these evenings.