Herbert Greening

Herbert Greening was one of the early members of the Orientals Hockey Club, Birmingham, founded in 1890. He played in many positions for them, including in goal. Greening eventually became the club captain and playing alongside him was his brother Frederick. In 1895 Herbert played in the first representative Midlands team, against the north, and the following year was in the first ever XI to represent Worcestershire at county level.

Greening became secretary of the Midlands Hockey Association, and between 1938-46 was president of the Hockey Association. He was also the umpires’ secretary and an international umpire who officiated at the 1908 London Olympic semi-final between Ireland and Wales, which Ireland won 3-1.

Greening was the son of an accountant but, unlike his father, went into the insurance business and became managing director of Deacon Insurance Company. He was a past chairman and president of the Chartered Insurance Institute. Greening died in October 1947, just three days before his 80th birthday. In total, Greening spent over 55 years associated with the sport of hockey in one capacity or another, and only relinquished his position as president of the Midlands Hockey Association after 27 years, in 1946, the year before he died.