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Wrekin Raiders were
formed in October of 1988, there were
originally about 20 players, of which only a
lucky few had any kit to speak of. There are
three of those who were at the first
training session still current members with
one other who joined soon after, It was 11
months later before we embarked on our
first game and from this into our first
league season, the first League game was
against Oxford, the reigning league
champions!! we lost 11- 0. We did gain a
victory and a draw in that first season and
it was a very steep learning curve, in those
days ladies hockey was full contact and just
because we were new to the game certainly
did not ensure we were shown any mercy!
We progressed over the
next couple of seasons. The league was
split from a single to a Premier, Division 1
South and Division 1 North, which is were we
found ourselves. By 91/92 season, we had
improved and made 3rd place in the
division. We then went on to win the League
for the next two seasons, reaching the
National play offs and missing promotion to
the Premier Division in 92/93 by one goal.
By the following season we made Premier.
We remained in the
Premier Division for 3 seasons, making the
play offs once. However, with the loss of
our coach and a number of experienced
players, we could not maintain our Premier
status.
Since then it has been a
very up and down time for Raiders. This
season we seem to be getting it together
again and are currently second in the League
and are working hard to make sure we make
the National play offs at least.
Over the years we have
been lucky enough to play in tournaments in
France, and at the England Ladies Friendship
tournament we have won the Fair Play Trophy
on each of the four occasions we have
played. We have also hosted two games from
Burlington touring teams, one in 1993 &
again in 1999.
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