Staines website sells 'meaty' hockey sticks

The idea is the brainchild of lifelong Staines and Egham resident Lee Atkinson who came up with the idea of selling them last summer.

Due to the harsh competition of companies selling hockey merchandise, Mr Atkinson, 28, of The Roundway, Egham, decided to advertise on Facebook, and now has a group with 423 members praising his work, which he claims is more than bigger hockey company groups.

He said: "The idea came about because when searching the internet I realised I didn't want to spend £100s on a stick.

"I have been into hockey since I was 13 and I love it, its got a great social side and is a fast paced game to play, so I started researching and found there was an opening in the market for these kinds of sticks."

The sticks come in a range of colours including pink, white, black, and yellow, and are priced cheaper than a £100 because a middleman is cut out.

He said: "It was only until I came up with the names and chose the colours that I realised that a lot of the names were innuendos. It really wasn't intentional, but I get at least three messages a day from people saying it is funny.

"We have also started selling sticks for children, so we were careful to name them keepers and indoor."

Mr Atkinson was born in Ashford Hospital and used to live in Wendover Road, Staines, before moving to The Roundway, in Egham five years ago.

Last August he married his wife Lisa.

So far the company, solely run by Mr Atkinson, has sold around 70 sticks, but it was only before Christmas when he decided to really push the company because of its cult success, and he is currently in the process of sponsoring hockey players and getting magazine advertising.

He said: "When I started I really wasn't considering this kind of success. I started the business half-heartedly really, but it is only now I have started to take it seriously. It is nice to have a job based on something I love."

Mr Atkinson funded everything himself from the profits raised by his other company, which is based in IT.

He said: "But Uber Hockey is my life now."

The company also sells hoodies, gloves, and grips.