HBCC began when Kevin Brown and Bob Grieves (with early members including John Vranes and John Dunlop) played late into the night in the old football club changing huts — tough winters, huge passion.

Geoff Page became the first HBCC club champion — an early marker of the competitive culture forming around the club.

Bob Grieves and Kevin Brown famously played chess while being towed on a trailer in the street parade — sparking a long-running festival presence and many new members.