Glasgow hockey club 'broke' two Guinness World Records

Clydesdale Hockey Club, based in the Southside of the city, believe they have broken two Guinness World Records – subject to verification - for the longest recorded game of field hockey and the highest number of players in a single match. 

Kicking off at 8am on May 24, the club played for 60 straight hours until 8pm on May 26 – seemingly breaking the previously held record set by the Chelmsford Hockey Club in Essex back in 2016 which saw them play for 56 hours, 18 minutes and 45 seconds. 

Then, on May 25, Clydesdale had 420 of their players in one single hockey match, reportedly beating the previous world record of 367 people which was set by Warwick Hockey Club in 2017. 

The youngest player was only nine, and the oldest was 78. 

A traditional game of field hockey sees two teams of 11 compete against one another. 

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Joking that the experience was torturous, Derek Linden, who oversaw the challenges and is a player in the club, told the Glasgow Times: “It was tortuous and a complex process, but when that 8am timer came up the elation was completely palpable. 

“The players found energy that I couldn’t believe they had, and they put on a really good show. 

“A number of players fell to their knees and people were in tears and hugging one another. 

“Everyone on the pitch went about congratulating each other before going to their friends and family. The spirit throughout was just great and I can’t lie, I did tear up.” 

Derek revealed that around 57 witnesses and 45 umpires were present for the record attempts. Each of them had to sign a witness statement and keep track of substitutes and changes throughout the game. 

The club now has three folders of papers from witnesses and umpires, which they are in the process of submitting to Guinness World Records. 

Alongside the witnesses and umpires, Derek oversaw the rest, sleep and eat rota of players, which was used throughout the 60-hour game. He was also responsible for waking up players and getting them on the pitch for the game. 

The challenges have helped the club start their journey to create a new playing surface - after saying their current one is coming to the end of its life. 

The club set up a Just Giving page - which has so far raised £15,000. 

Derek said: “That money is already 10% of our target which is just incredible. 

“Watching all the money come in, it was just phenomenal.” 

The club also held bake sales and other activities on the day, so more money is still being counted. 

Derek said the new playing pitch will benefit the whole community. 

He added: “Our playing surface is coming to the end of its working life but schools use it, as do the local netball team, swim team and cricket team too. 

“Beyond that, the pitch brings a lot of people together and helps keep the clubhouse open through use and funds, which is used a lot socially and for local salsa classes and such.” 

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The pitch will also be used as a fixture for premiership hockey matches, as well as for Clydesdale's several women's, men's and junior hockey teams.

Derek added that this will be one of a few events attempting to raise money for the new playing surface. 

If you want to donate, click HERE 

Clydesdale Hockey Club is open to people of all ages, genders and races. 

To find out more, click HERE