Football: Liddicoat to stay in Bay

Sean Liddicoat is crediting his progression to national honours to Bay United.

Returning to Hawke's Bay United for another season is a no-brainer for Sean Liddicoat.

"I've been with them for two seasons and enjoyed working with Brett Angell as coach. He has developed me, not just as a player, but also a person," says Liddicoat before the Bay franchise starts training on September 8 for the ASB Premiership this summer.

The 19-year-old defender, who is in his first year studying engineering at Canterbury University, jets off with the Darren Bazeley-coached New Zealand under-20 squad next week for the Oceania World Cup qualifiers in Vanuatu from September 3-17.

Liddicoat says his age group selection, after trials in Auckland two months ago, is a testament to Angell's coaching.

"He definitely has an organised and disciplined style of play which requires a high level of concentration, so he enforces that mentality and it shows during the game," he says.

Liddicoat, of Palmerston North, has been staying ahead of his tertiary studies to embark on his first football trip overseas.

"I haven't played in those conditions before so it'll be interesting," he says of Luganville Soccer Stadium in Vanuatu.

He hopes to help Bay United to a historic berth in the Oceania Champions League this summer.

Bay United this week announced Liddicoat, goalkeeper Ruben Parker Hanks, 21, and midfielder Ross Willox, 17, of Havelock North, have joined Angell's stable.

Hanks, who just finished his stint in the Lotto Central League with Conroy Removals Napier City Rovers, last summer played for Canterbury United.

"I am looking to develop more understanding for the game as well as work on some of my personal weaknesses to turn them into strengths. I hope to come out of this season a better goalkeeper, both by physically improving my game and becoming a smarter player," says Hanks.

He echoed Liddicoat's sentiments that the team's playoff status in the past two seasons reflects Angell's nous as well as the team's defensive record last season.

"[It] is largely due to their organisation in and out of possession [so] as a goalkeeper it will be hugely beneficial to learn in this environment," he says.

Willox, a Napier Boys' High School pupil, has followed the pathway of the Bay federation talent centre and the franchise youth team to earn his stripes.

"Having watched and supported HBU since I was a boy, I am honoured to have the chance to go out in front of fellow supporters and add my name to the club's history books.

"Like all players, I have worked and sacrificed a lot for the game through programmes such as the talent centre so it was a great feeling to be called up to the squad," says the teenager, who last month went on a scouting mission of American universities in a quest for a football scholarship.

Liddicoat was asked why he decided to re-sign with Hawke's Bay United.

The proximity of family and friends was cited as an attractive aspect of joining Hawke's Bay as many of them were based in Palmerston North over the summer, so being relatively close to home was nice.

It also made it easy for them to watch home games throughout the season.

Franchise general manager (operations) Shane McKenzie said the trio's signings reflected well on the development and opportunities the Central region offers youngsters in elite football.

Captain Finlay Milne signed a fortnight ago.