AMID the success of Preston's football team and more recently the cricket club one team which is often overlooked is Preston Hockey Club.

The hockey club is based at West Cliff, South Meadow Lane and play their fixtures on the same premises as the cricket section.

The 1st XI currently compete in the Northern Counties division two and have been quietly assembling a team ready for greater things.

The club also run three other men's sides, with the 3rd XI securing promotion last season. In addition the club boast several junior sides and incorporates two thriving ladies teams.

During the mid-nineties the club readdressed their player recruitment policy and instead devoted their endeavours in to a dedicated and efficient junior coaching programme.

This youth training policy is beginning to bear fruit and a mass of young talent is now primed for 1st XI action.

The coaching programme, run diligently by club stalwart Arthur Malone, has produced several players who have achieved county playing status and in two cases international recognition.

Samuel Sinclair, the son of the 1st XI coach Colin Sinclair, has represented and captained England at under 16 level and continues to play at under 18 level.

More recently, 13-year-old Adam Wilson has attended international trials and is expected to feature prominently during the forthcoming season.

Adam also plays for Lancashire and North West under 14s alongside his twin brother David.

Furthermore, the twin's older brother Luke has represented Lancashire since he was 14 and continues to do so.

Continuing their brotherly connections, 21-year-old Richard Sullivan has graduated to the Lancashire senior county side after several seasons in the junior sides, while his younger brother David is currently training with both Lancashire and the North West under 17s teams.

The honours list does not end here as 14-year-old goalkeeper Ian Scanlon and midfielder Phil Rowlands have both played for their county and region at under 13 and 14 levels respectively.

With his nucleus of young talent available to the 1st XI the future progress of the club certainly looks like one to keep and eye on.

Are you interested in playing hockey for Preston HC? If so please contact either Simon Eccleston (01772 813397) or Richard Sullivan (01772 612152).