Neston 6^th Team Unbeaten 1988/89 Season

Back in the 1988/89 Hockey Season the Neston 6^th Team Captained by Tony Lydiate had an amazing unbeaten season playing and winning 22 games!  A number of players played in the team in that season, that are still involved with the Hockey Club: Trevor Mathew-Jones, Greg Brooker, Tim Brooker, David Knight, Paul Fowler, Mark Strong, Stuart Long, Tony Bush, Tim Weatherall, Brian Robson, Geoff Morris (Lisa’s Dad), Trevor Thomas, Chris Ashcroft, Roy Rodger and Julian Manchett. 

This was before the leagues, but we played teams like Deeside 4^th team, Bowdon 5^th team, West Derby  4^th Team, Oxton, Timperley, Winnington Park, Brooklands and Formby to name but a few.

Tony Lydiate Captained the side brilliantly and introduced youngsters into a well blended team of youth and experience. He nurtured the less experienced players well and the team acted as a great springboard  for some youngsters after they had been through a far less structured Beavers and Badgers setup than it is today, a number going on to play 1^st Team Hockey.

"Lyds" as he is known was an avid statistics man and recorded all the results of that season, who played, who scored and in what position.  He also played a classic, for the day, 235 system.

Standing L to R. Stuart Long, Mike Kaiser, Keith Hilton-Turvey, Trevor Thomas, Tony Lydiate, Henry Postlethwaite, Duncan Brown.

Kneeling L to R. Tony Bush, Mark Strong, Simon Curwood, Brian Robson, Greg Brooker

Neston 6^th Team:  Played 22 Won 22 Drawn 0 Lost 0 Goals for 93 Goals against 17

Top Scorer

1.       Dave Chapman 34 goals in 16 games

2.       Dave Knight 20 goals in 15 games

3.       Henry Postlethwaite 8 goals in 9 games

Most Appearances

1.       Simon Curwood 22

2.       Tony Lydiate 21

3.       Trevor Thomas 20

38 Players in total were used with 13 just  the once.

The following have so far confirmed that they can make a return on Sunday 12 July 2009 at Neston:

Dave Knight, Tony Lydiate, Stuart Long, Trevor Thomas, Brian Robson, Trevor Mathew-Jones, Julian Manchett, Mark Strong, Greg Brooker, Tim Brooker,  Henry Postlethwaite, Dave Chapman, Paul Fowler, Colin Nicol, Mike Kaiser  and Tony Bush

If there is anybody who has played and not been invited contact Tony Lydiate on: tlydiate@tiscali.co.uk