Harold Blackett

Harold Blackett (1854-1923) was a key figure in the development of ice hockey in England. He formed the first organized club outside of the Fens, the Virginia Water Hockey Club, in 1873. The club initially played with ash sticks and a bung.

Blackett captained the club into the early 1900s. He also served as the captain of the combination "Virginia Water Team" that handed the Bury Fen Bandy Club its first ever defeat in 1891. Blackett was involved in the formation of the National Bandy Association several weeks later.

Following the opening of several artificial ice rinks in London, Blackett began playing indoors with "Mr. Blackett's Team". His Virginia Water club later ventured into the London rinks, claiming the New Niagara Challenge Cup in 1897.

The Virginia Water Club ceased to exist around 1901. In January 1903 Blackett captained "Sunninghill" to a victory over Coopers Hill College in a bandy match on the ice.