Stanley Shoveller

Stanley Shoveller, often called “Shove”, was known as “The Prince of Centre-Forwards” and was widely regarded as the “W. G. Grace of hockey.” He is the only Briton to win two Olympic hockey gold medals. He was firstly a member of the England team that won the tournament at London in 1908 when he was the second highest scorer with seven goals. Eight years later at Antwerp, he struck gold again and was top scorer when he scored 10 of Great Britain’s 17 goals. In 1922 he published a book about hockey.

Shoveller was educated at Kingston Grammar school and was one of the pioneers of hockey at the school and in 1897-98. He joined Hampstead Hockey Club at 18 and was selected for Surrey a year later. Shoveller won the first of his 29 England caps in 1902 and captained the side for more than 10 years until his retirement in 1921 at the age of 40. He scored 76 goals for England.

Shoveller became a successful City stockbroker on the London Stock Exchange. He served as a Captain with the Rifle Brigade 33rd London Regiment during the first world war and in 1915 was awarded the Military Cross.