Neston 6th Team 1989

Back in the 1988/89 Hockey Season the Neston 6th 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, Trevor Thomas, Chris Ashcroft, Roy Rodger and Julian Manchett.

This was before the leagues, but we played teams like Deeside 4th team, Bowdon 5th team, West Derby 4th 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 1st Team Hockey.

"Lyds" as he is affectionally 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, 2-3-5 system!

6th Team in 1989

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

6th Team in 2009

Standing L to R. Stuart Long, Trevor Thomas, David Knight, Tony Lydiate, Julian Manchett, Ali Leece, Colin Nichol, Trevor Mathew-Jones, Stuart Leece.
Kneeling L to R. Tom Cubbins, Tony Bush, Brian Robson, Mark Strong, Tim Brooker, Greg Brooker, Mike Kaiser.

Neston 6th Team:
P22 W22 D0 L0 F93 A17

Top Scorer

1. Dave Chapman 34 in 16 games
2. Dave Knight 20 in 15 games
3. Henry Postlethwaite 8 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.