Page 13 - CHUFC v. Lydd Town

LYDD TOWN

Lydd Town were formed in 1885.
Their early matches were played at In 1984/85,
The Banks where the Lydd cricket after a
ground now lies. league re-or-
ganisation, Lydd
Their first trophy success was in 1909/10 played in Premier
when they beat Icklesham 2-0 to win the Division East instead of the top Senior
Rye Charity Cup. Before the First World Division. The league title was won that
War Lydd played in the South Eastern season and with it promotion into the
(Ashford) League. They moved ground top division. It was in 1989/90 that Ly-
in 1911 to play their matches at The Rype dd’s most successful period started. They
in the centre of Lydd. won the League five years in a row, three
years in the Eastern Senior Division
In 1920/21 the club joined the Folkestone and following the League re-organisa-
and District Junior League winning it for tion when the Premier Division as it is
the first time in 1926/27. In 1921 their now known was formed (combining the 1999/00. World Cup hero George Cohen Further relegation followed but the ap-
colours were changed from blue and Eastern and Western clubs) they won the officially opened the ground, named af- pointment of Manager Dave Johncock
white to red and green which remain First Division East two years running. ter long serving player, manager and cur- in December 2009 saw the club’s for-
their current colours. In four of those years the league and cup rent chairman Pat Lindsey. tunes pick up and in season 2010/11
double were achieved as well as many Lydd were runners up in Division Two
The club suspended activities in 1939 other cup success. The decision was tak- Lydd’s most recent successes were in the East. A successful application was made
and restarted again in 1946 after the war. en to move up to the Premier Division Kent Intermediate Challenge Shield final to be a part of the new Step Six League

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

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