The football community would be a lot poorer without the example set by often unknown visionaries and the town of Lydd would be a lot poorer without Mr Lydder

LYDD TOWN chairman Pat Lindsey celebrates his 70^th birthday today and a colleague at the Kent Invicta League club paid tribute to the club’s unsung hero.

“I know you fully appreciate the work of unsung members of football clubs but consider our chairman to be quite remarkable and his record of dedication to one club to be right up there,” said groundsman Ian Prebble.

“Pat celebrates his 70^th birthday today and has been involved with Lydd Town FC for over 50 years, first as a player, then manager and finally his current position which he has held for decades.

“Pat owns the ground and supervised and worked on the clubhouse building over 15 years ago.

“Like many chairman he regularly puts his hand in his own pocket but more importantly puts in considerable time and effort almost on a daily basis.

“He still today often washes the first team’s kit, cleans the clubhouse and changing rooms, cuts the pitches, marks the lines and goes to cash and carry etc.

“Pat also acts as a brilliant home match day host and attends most first team away matches having first put in a mornings work at Lindsey Field.

“Pat has obviously been the major driver of the club’s more recent ground improvements with floodlights and some hardstanding pitch surrounds.

“Work on the next stage of developments being the erection of fencing around the pitch area, the completion of hardstanding, the installation of two stands and turnstiles, is expected to commence in the next few weeks.

“This is a testament to one man’s vision, drive and complete dedication to his home town community and his beloved football club.

“The football community would be a lot poorer without the example set by often unknown visionaries and the town of Lydd would be a lot poorer without Mr Lydder – our Pat.”

Lydd Town welcome Crockenhill to The Lindsey Field tomorrow (15:00), sitting in the top eight in the Pain & Glory Sports Kent Invicta League.

Visit Lydd Town’s website:  www.lyddtownfc.co.uk

Article published: 19:10 - Friday 5 February 2016