When two of Norwich’s largest hockey clubs – Wanderers and Grasshoppers – got together in 1990, they did so with the aim of getting into the national league.

And last year, more than three decades later, that vision finally came to fruition with the Norwich City Men’s first team winning the East Region league to join National Conference Midlands, the third tier of English hockey.

Now, after a season in the national league, the team – which plays at Taverham Recreational Facilities – is celebrating a dream come true.

Promotion saw the team’s travel increase remarkably, with away days to Loughborough, Nottingham, Birmingham and Lichfield amongst the longest, and away teams all travelling to play at Taverham.

The squad dug incredibly deep, week in week out, and put on a show every time.

A spokesman said: “It was lovely to have so many people attend the matches, and the team were extremely proud to represent Norwich City. This was especially felt when they saw crowds of 200-plus attend the Norfolk derby versus Harleston at TRF, which most certainly kept the bar team busy in the clubhouse.”

After some impressive results in a debut campaign – even vying for promotion for a while – the team ended the season in third place with the aim of pushing higher next year.

Norwich City Hockey Club is always looking for new members of all ages, male and female, and all standards.

For information about joining the club, email enquiries@norwichcityhc.co.uk

To find out more about what TRF has to offer, email enquiries@t-r-f.co.uk