Harold Blackett (1854-1923) was a key figure in the development of ice hockey in England. He formed the first organized club outside of the Fens, the Virginia Water Hockey Club, in 1873. The club initially played with ash sticks and a bung. Blackett captained the club into the early 1900s. He also served as the captain of the combination "Virginia Water Team" that handed the Bury Fen Bandy Club its first ever defeat in 1891. Blackett was involved in the formation of the National Bandy Association several weeks later.