CANTERBURY Hockey Club will line-up for the new season with potentially one of the most fearsome striking partnerships in the Premier Division after signing record-breaking goalscorer Greg Nicol.

The former South African international will combine playing for the men with coaching Canterbury’s Ladies, and is expected to be available for around two-thirds of their Slazenger English League games.

Nicol’s registration was confirmed on Tuesday, and skipper Andy Richardson admits the prospect of the 31-year-old playing alongside England forward Dave Mathews has got everyone at Polo Farm excited.

High standards

Richardson, who is in his first year as skipper, said: “This is a huge signing for us and it has given everyone a lift ahead of the new season.

“Greg is an out and out goalscorer and he expects high standards both of himself and of those who play with him. David Mathews has already started to raise his game and potentially the pair are as good as any front two in the top division.”

During an outstanding 10-year international career Nicol amassed 245 goals in 200 appearances, making him South Africa’s record scorer and putting him third in the world all-time rankings.

He last played in the Premier Division five years ago, for Surbiton, since when he has had two years as player-coach at Canterbury’s Kent rivals Holcombe.

Last season he joined Canterbury Ladies as coach and helped them to the runners-up spot both in the EuroHockey Champions Cup and the Super Cup.

Towards the end of the campaign he turned out for Brighton, 'just for a bit of fun,’ but he admits he is looking foward to playing in English hockey’s top flight again.