SEAN Kerly still plays a decent game of hockey and talks an even better one.

Sadly though for England and Great Britain `Kerly The Stick' is long since retired from the international scene.

And until the talent-spotters unearth a few more players of his standard, the golden age of British hockey will further recede into the mists of time.

Kerly's goals were a major contributory factor to Britain's 1984 Olympic bronze medal success in Los Angeles and their golden moment four years later in Seoul.

Wednesday night's 3-0 defeat by Germany wrecked their best hope of reaching next year's Games in Beijing. Britain can still rescue their China crisis but it is now a long and winding road to the Far East.

"It is OK having a good coach but he is not going to make a real difference if you haven't got the players," Kerly said.

"What you need are single-minded, determined individuals. You want tough, really hard people on your team. When you go out on the pitch you look at your opponent and think `you are not going to beat me, no matter what.'

Chance

"They may be a better player than you but there are ways of combating that," he added.

"So, if you have a team full of players who all think the same way then you have got every chance."

Kerly, 47, was in Manchester with the London 2012 Roadshow, a demonstration area where 75 local schoolchildren had an opportunity to take part in taster activities from Sport England including athletics, boxing and Taekwondo.

Kerly was on hand at the National Lottery Dream Stats Zone helping the youngsters find a sport to suit their attributes and abilities.

"My three daughters all play hockey so I know how important it is for kids to become involved in sport," added Kerly who still turns out for the Canterbury club in Kent.

"And because of them I have taken a sabbatical from coaching.

"However, just because you have been a great player it doesn't necessarily mean you will become a great coach.

"However, I do believe that if you have been there and worn the T-shirt, you are better qualified to give out advice.

"However, in the end, it is all down to the player. Do they want to be a winner or a loser? They have got to want to be successful."

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