Page 13 - Chessington & Hook United v. Lydd Town
P. 13

LYDD TOWN





 Lydd Town were formed in 1885.  In 1984/85,
 Their early matches were played at  after a league
 The Banks where the Lydd cricket  re-organi-
 ground now lies.   sation, Lydd
 played in Premier
 Their first trophy success was in 1909/10  Division East instead of the top Senior
 when they beat Icklesham 2-0 to win the  Division.  The league title was won that
 Rye Charity Cup. Before the First World  season  and  with  it  promotion  into  the
 War Lydd played in the South Eastern  top division. It was in 1989/90 that Ly-
 (Ashford) League. They moved ground  dd’s most successful period started. They
 in 1911 to play their matches at The Rype  won the League five years in a row, three
 in the centre of Lydd.  years in the Eastern Senior Division
    Red and green  and following the League re-organisa-
 In 1920/21 the club joined the Folkestone  tion when the Premier Division as it is
 and District Junior League winning it for  now known was formed (combining the
 the first time in 1926/27.  In 1921 their  Eastern and Western clubs) they won the   officially opened the ground, named af-  Further relegation followed but the ap-
 colours were changed from blue and  First Division East two years running. In   ter long serving player, manager and cur- pointment of Manager Dave Johncock
 white to red and green which remain their  four of those years the league and cup   rent chairman Pat Lindsey.   in December 2009 saw the club’s for-
 current colours.  double were achieved as well as many   Won a penalty shoot-out  tunes pick up and in season 2010/11
 League and cup double  other cup success. The decision was tak-  Lydd’s most recent successes were in the  Lydd were runners up in Division Two
 The club suspended activities in 1939  en to move up to the Premier Division   Kent Intermediate Challenge Shield final  East. A successful application was made

 and restarted again in 1946 after the war.  for the 1994/95 season, despite concern   in 2000/01 when they defeated Phoe-  to be a part of the new Step Six League
 Considerable success in the league and  over their facilities not being up to the   nix Sports 1-0 at Ashford Town F.C and  for 2011/12 and the Club finished the in-
 cups in the years following culminating  required standard.  Their best finish was   in 2002/03 in the Les Leckie Cup Final  augural season in 12th place. In 2012/13,
 in the league and cup double in 1958/59  runners-up in 1995/96.  against Milton Sports at Chatham Town  with Dave Smith taking over as manager,
 saw Lydd move up to the Kent Amateur   World Cup hero George Cohen  F.C. where they won a penalty shoot-out  Lydd finished 6th and were runners up

 League.  A new pavilion was built on The  The club desperately needed a new   5-4 following a 2-2 score after extra time.  to Hollands & Blair in the Invicta League
 Rype in 1961 presented to the town by  ground as their Council owned facilities   First team were relegated  Challenge Trophy, losing 4-3 at Home-
 Alderman Gordon Paine, MBE, for the  at The Rype were becoming increasing-  Things then became difficult for a few  lands Ashford. In season 2013/14 Lydd
 use of local sports clubs.  In 1962/63 their  ly criticised and their future as a Pre-  seasons and the first team were relegat-  finished as runners up in the league to
 Reserves entered the League.  In 1969/70  mier Division club could have been in   ed from the Premier Division at the end  Hollands & Blair.
 Lydd won the Kent Amateur League for  doubt. A successful application for a lot-  of the 2005/06 season. The first team did  With the merger of The Invicta League
 the first time and retained it the follow- tery grant was made and with the funds   however win the Weald of Kent Senior  with the Southern Counties East Foot-
 ing season. More success in cups fol- the club raised they moved to their new   Competition in 2007 beating Premier  ball League, the first team now play in the
 lowed but it was to be some time before  ground on the outskirts of the town in   Division Bromley Green 4-2 in the final.  SCEFL Division 1. Plans for next season
 they won the league again.  1999/00.  World Cup hero George Cohen   include installation of pitch drainage.
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