The Story of Us

Stockport LC today is a modern, ambitious and inclusive club with opportunities for players of all ages, backgrounds and experience levels. Built on nearly 150 years of history, we balance tradition with development, participation and performance.

A Full-Pathway Club
We offer one of the most complete pathways in the UK:

• U8 Tadpoles, introducing the youngest players to the game

• Junior boys’ teams from U10 to U18

• Junior girls’ teams, growing rapidly in size and competitiveness

• Senior men’s squads, competing at the top levels of the northern leagues

• Senior women’s squads, including league- and Flags-winning teams
  
  

This pathway ensures every player can progress through the club — from beginner level to senior competition and, for many, county or international representation.

Volunteers & Community
Our club is powered by volunteers:

• Coaches

• Team managers

• Junior development leaders

• Officials

• Parents and helpers

• Former players who return to give back
  
  

Their commitment carries forward the spirit set in the club’s formative decades and strengthened during the influential Grainger era. Our ethos remains simple:

“A welcoming club where players develop, friendships are made, and everyone contributes.”

Facilities & Development
We continue to invest in:

• Training equipment and resources

• Enhancing the junior pathway

• Growing the women’s and girls’ game

• Coaching support

• Improved visibility and modern digital tools
  
  

A Club for Everyone
Whether someone is a beginner, a returning player, a parent, or a future international athlete, Stockport LC offers:

• A place to learn

• A place to develop

• A place to belong

Stockport Lacrosse Club was founded in 1875–76, after a local demonstration of the Indigenous North American game inspired rugby players to adopt this exciting new sport. Since then, the club has played every season without interruption, making us the oldest continually playing lacrosse club in the world.

For nearly 150 years, Stockport has been central to English lacrosse — a club defined by its strong community values, generations of families, and a deep commitment to developing players of all ages. From early dominance to mid-century survival, the Grainger-led revival, and the successes of the modern era, Stockport’s story is one of resilience, passion and people.

Today, as we approach our 150th anniversary, the club continues to honour its heritage while preparing for a vibrant and ambitious future.

History of Lacrosse (Global Origins)

Lacrosse originates from the Indigenous nations of North America, where it was played for centuries as a spiritual, cultural and community game. The modern sport developed in Canada and Scotland before spreading internationally — eventually inspiring the founding of Stockport Lacrosse Club.

Indigenous Origins

Played by the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and many Eastern Woodlands nations including the Ojibwe, Cherokee, Choctaw and Powhatan, lacrosse held deep meaning. It was played:

• As a spiritual ceremony honouring the Creator
  
  

• For community bonding and celebration
  
  

• As a means of conflict resolution
  
  

• To train young people in discipline, skill and endurance
  
  

• In large-scale events involving hundreds of players across miles of ground
  
  

The game remains tied to identity, tradition and sovereignty, and today the Haudenosaunee Nationals compete at the highest international levels under their own flag.

Codification & Growth in Canada

By the mid-1800s, European settlers formalised the sport. Dr. William George Beers codified the rules in 1867, leading to organised clubs, leagues and international fixtures. Canadian teams soon toured Britain, helping introduce the sport abroad.

Women’s Lacrosse Begins in Scotland (1890)

Women’s lacrosse originated in Scotland in 1890, with the first recorded match at St Leonards School, St Andrews after headmistress Louisa Lumsden brought the game from the US. The sport grew rapidly across the UK and US and will enter the Olympic Games in 2028.

Lacrosse Arrives in England

In the 1870s, Indigenous players from Caughnawaga (Kahnawake) toured Britain, showcasing their athleticism and traditional game.
One of these demonstrations — held in or near Stockport — inspired local rugby players to adopt the sport, leading directly to the founding of:

Stockport Lacrosse Club (1875–76)
The oldest continually playing lacrosse club in the world.

Lacrosse Today

The sport continues to grow worldwide with major participation across:
North America • Europe • Asia • Australia • South America

The modern Olympic sixes format will accelerate this global growth.

Stockport LC honours both the Indigenous origins of lacrosse and its historical connection to the sport’s introduction to Britain.

Early Days (1875–1903)

After its founding in 1875–76, Stockport LC grew rapidly and soon became a dominant force in the emerging English game. Between 1896 and 1903, the club achieved an unmatched run of success known as The Great Years.

The Great Years — Achievements

• Eight consecutive Senior Flags titles (1896–1903) — still a record
  
  

• Six Iroquois Cup victories
  
  

• Multiple First Division championships
  
  

The Mason and Johnson families were central to this era, contributing nine of the twenty Stockport players who represented the club during this extraordinary period. Their influence helped establish Stockport’s reputation for excellence.

A significant artefact from this time — the 1898 Senior Flags Challenge Flag, beautifully embroidered — is still held by the club today.

This era firmly established Stockport LC as the powerhouse of early English lacrosse.

Challenges and Survival

The mid-20th century brought major challenges for Stockport LC, including falling player numbers and the loss of the club’s original ground. The determination of volunteers and a strong commitment to junior development ensured the club’s survival.

After the Second World War, many sports clubs struggled, and Stockport was no exception. Player numbers were low, facilities limited, and resources stretched. The forced relocation to Woodbank Park was a major setback.

Yet the club never stopped playing — preserving its status as the oldest continually playing lacrosse club in the world.

Volunteers kept the club alive through difficult years, maintaining fixtures, training and recruitment at a time when many clubs disappeared. Their efforts laid the groundwork for the resurgence that followed.

The Les Grainger Era

Few individuals have shaped Stockport LC more than Les “Mr G” Grainger (1922–2011). Joining in 1947, Les became central to the club’s recovery, revival and long-term success.

Junior Development

In 1949, Les became Honorary Junior Secretary, a role he held for 40 consecutive years. He organised fixtures, coached beginners, developed new age groups and supported hundreds of families as their children discovered lacrosse.

Even after stepping down in 1989, Les continued to coach beginners and U12s, remaining at the heart of junior development for decades.

A Legacy of Junior Excellence

Les’s commitment to youth development shaped almost every generation of Stockport players from the 1950s onwards. Nearly every Stockport player — juniors, seniors or veterans — passed through the L.R.G. junior training scheme.

The Stockport Metros

One of Les’s greatest achievements was founding the Stockport Metros in 1976, giving junior players international experience.
The Metros toured the US 11 times, including a long-running exchange with Anne Arundel County Youth Lacrosse (Maryland). These tours broadened horizons and raised the standard of English junior lacrosse.

Leadership Beyond Stockport

Les also served as:

• President of Stockport LC

• President of the English Lacrosse Union (1988–89)

• Coordinator for overseas teams at the 1994 World Cup Junior Festival

His kindness, commitment and enthusiasm earned him admiration across English and international lacrosse.

A Lasting Influence

Les’s work ensured Stockport’s survival, fuelled its revival and established the strong junior pathway central to the club today. His influence lives on in every player who grew through the system.

Women’s & Girls’ Lacrosse at Stockport

Women’s lacrosse began at Stockport LC in 1992, marking a major moment in the club’s modern history. Among the earliest contributors was Sue Nichols, who played a vital role in organising the first teams.

Growth & Development

Over 30 years, the women’s and girls’ programme has expanded significantly, shaped by volunteers, dedicated coaches and a growing player base. Many players who started in junior girls’ teams have progressed to senior squads, community lacrosse and international representation.

Junior girls began competing in cup competitions around 6–7 years ago, and this area continues to grow rapidly.

Achievements

• Senior North League Champions (2022)

• Senior Flags Winners (2024)

• Senior Flags Winners (2025)
  
  

These milestones reflect the depth, commitment and competitiveness of the women’s programme.

International Representation

Stockport LC has produced senior international players including:

• Chloe Chan — Senior England

• Chess Gray — Senior Scotland

• Jenny Aiton — Senior Scotland

Today

With women’s lacrosse entering the Olympic Games in 2028, the Stockport LC pathway is well-positioned for continued success and growth.

Today

Stockport LC is a vibrant, community-focused club offering opportunities for all ages and abilities. Built on nearly a century and a half of history, we balance tradition with development and performance.

Pathway

Our pathway includes:

• U8 Tadpoles

• Junior boys (U10–U18)

• Junior girls (multiple teams)

• Senior men’s squads

• Senior women’s squads

Players can progress from beginner to senior and often into county, regional or international programmes.

Volunteers & Culture

The club thrives because of dedicated coaches, team managers, junior leaders, officials, parents and former players who continue to contribute.
This reflects the longstanding ethos:

“Everyone contributes, everyone belongs.”

Development & Modernisation

Current priorities include:

• Strengthening junior pathways

• Growing the women’s and girls’ game

• Enhancing coaching

• Improving facilities

• Embracing modern digital tools

Performance

Across all age groups, Stockport continues to compete at county, regional and national levels, with players progressing to:

• North representative squads

• England, Scotland and Wales 

The Future

As Stockport LC approaches its 150th anniversary, the club is focused on growth, development and celebrating its unique heritage.

150th Anniversary Celebrations

The anniversary will showcase the club’s remarkable history while investing in the next generation. Planned initiatives include:

• Heritage projects and displays

• Community engagement and school outreach

• 150th-branded events and merchandise

• Digital storytelling (archives, photography, interviews)

• Formal Dinner

Strengthening Junior Pathways

Priorities include:

• Expanding U8, U10 and U12 opportunities

• Growing junior girls’ teams

• Increasing coaching support

• Strengthening links with local schools

• Supporting players into county and international pathways

Growing the Women’s & Girls’ Programme

Ahead of lacrosse’s Olympic debut in 2028, the club will prioritise:

• Recruitment

• Coaching development

• Supporting progression into senior and international pathways

• Continued competitiveness in league and Flags competitions

Facilities & Equipment

Plans include:

• Improved playing surfaces

• Upgraded equipment

• Partnerships for facility development

• Modernising the club environment & our 'Raise the Roof' appeal

Community, Culture & Sustainability

The club’s future remains anchored in values that have sustained it for nearly 150 years:
Community • Sportsmanship • Inclusion • Respect • Volunteer spirit • Commitment to development

Looking Ahead

150 years of lacrosse behind us — and a new era ahead.

Stockport’s story is still being written, and the future promises growth, opportunity and continued excellence on and off the field.

At Stockport Lacrosse Club, we believe a great club is built on much more than what happens on the pitch. We’re proud of the strong community spirit that surrounds the Cale and the friendships, support, and sense of belonging that grow here.

We work closely with local schools and community groups, with our grounds regularly used for events and activities. Each year we support wider community initiatives including Cale Green Fair and Beech Beats, helping bring people together across the area.

Alongside the sport itself, life at SLC is warm, welcoming and brilliantly social. Whether it’s our Christmas Party, the Junior Awards End-of-Season celebrations, or simply spending time in the clubhouse after matches, there’s always something happening. In the summer months, the clubhouse becomes a relaxed hub — a place to unwind, play pool or table tennis, grab a drink, catch up with teammates, and be part of the Cale community.

However you join in — on the pitch, at events, or simply as part of the social scene — you’ll be made to feel at home.