Damien Noel, Karim Hammache and Gregory Pinoteau, old friends frustrated at not being able to play their beloved sport in the rainy city founded Manchester Handball Club in September 2003.
No awareness of the sport by local authorities, no court marked anywhere, no sports hall to train in, no funding...all these were never going to stop them: their motivation was simply too great.
Slowly but surely, with adverts posted there and then, the silent army of handball amateurs living in Manchester got in touch, allowing the club to slowly but steadily develop.
Registration with the England Handball Association following suit and entry in Division 2 and promotion to Division 1 in its first season of existence.
From the start, the club's ideals were two folds:
1) "Competition and Leisure Handball for everyone". 2) "Promotion of Cultural Diversity and exchanges through Sport".
Today, as well as being a sports club, MHC has gathered people from many different backgrounds who have all in common the passion for Handball, with no less than 12 countries of origin being represented by the players of the club, all committed to playing and developing Handball in Manchester.
After focusing on the Men's team for the first few years, which allowed us to become one of the best clubs in England, we have now established a strong partnership with the sports development unit of Manchester and some schools of the council.
Work on the Women's team and youth section has begun...
IMPORTANT MILE STONES:
Season 2008 - 2009 - Division 1 Northern League Champions, 3rd place in the England Division 1 National League.
Qualification for European Challenge Cup. (Luhansk, Ukraine, October 2009)
British Cup semi final: Defeat to Olympia 30-29.
Season 2007 - 2008 - 2nd place Division 1 Northern League, 3rd place in the England Division 1 National League.
Qualification for European Challenge Cup. (Insbruck, Austria, October 2008)
British Cup semi final: Defeat to Oxford 35-34 after extra time.
Season 2006 - 2007 - 2nd place Division 1 Northern League, reaching the Quarter Finals of the National Play offs (again!)
British Cup semi final: Defeat to Great Danes 27-25, the eventual Winners.
Season 2005 - 2006 - 2nd place Division 1 Northern League, reaching the Quarter Finals of the National Play offs,
losing to Oxford University, the eventual Champions.
Season 2004 - 2005 - 3rd place in Division 1 National league.
- Winning the First Edition of the Manchester International Handball Tournament.
Season 2003 - 2004 - Club founded in September 2003, EHA membership in November 2003.
- Entry in division 2, 3rd place and promotion to Division 1.
