Lyons and Sharks
He hopes to carry on that terrific form in the TeleChoice Premier League starting this weekend but it was so different a decade ago when a slender freckle faced kid was starting out on his football journey.
Coming to the now defunct Northern Spirit FC in the old National Soccer League, Lyons exuded the confidence of youth. A devil-may-care attitude and a cheeky grin that could, and most likely did, get him out of a lot of trouble in those fledgling years.
Quickly becoming known as ?Cliffy? after his famous Rugby League father, he took time to gain first team football experience under Graham Arnold as he strived to be the best he could but always playing and training with a smile which, over the years, has broadened along with his wealth of football knowledge.
Always ready with a quip and as approachable as anyone can be, he became a favourite with the Spirit supporters, even when on the sidelines, because of his demeanor and, no doubts, inherited attitude beneath which he harbored a deep desire.
That desire was to make a career out of playing the world game which he has been able to do without the fanfare and whistles that many would have expected perhaps. It shows the humility and modesty with which the lad goes about his business. No drama, no blazing rows and no distraction.
Indeed, in many ways Lyons has shown the way many professional players ought to conduct themselves in similar surroundings and, in truth, many do but it would be so easy to follow a different path and give up, especially after the highs and lows of injury and the lengthy recoveries.
This season has the makings of a good one for Lyons and new coach Brian ?Bomber? Brown, without putting the mockers on them.
The Sharks were beaten in extra-time of the Johnny Warren Cup by Sydney Olympic who are the other team to have impressed greatly early on and much may hinge on the meetings of these two great clubs as the season progresses but one thing is assured, if Lyons remains injury free and in the form he has shown early on, that cheeky grin will be evidenced all around the league for many months to come.
By Micky Brock
