[6] On 23 November 1982, Lydon would later get his first taste of international football when playing in the centres for Widnes at Naughton Park in their 19–6 loss to Australia who were on their undefeated 1982 Kangaroo tour.
Lydon played on the wing, scoring a try and two conversions in Widnes' 8–12 defeat by Barrow in the 1983 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1983–84 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 1 October 1983.
Lydon played at centre and scored a try in Widnes' 10–18 defeat by Leeds in the 1983–84 John Player Special Trophy Final during the 1983–84 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 14 January 1984 In 1984, he won the Lance Todd Trophy as man of the match in Widnes' Wembley win over hometown Wigan in the 1984 Challenge Cup Final, famously scoring two 75-yard interception tries.
In 1986, when he joined Wigan, Lydon became rugby league's first £100,000 transfer (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £327,600 in 2013),[8] making his début in a 44–6 win over Hull in March 1986.
He played in the centres for defending champions Wigan in their 1987 World Club Challenge victory against the visiting Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at Central Park.
During the game, Manly second rower "Rambo" Ron Gibbs became the first player sent off in a World Club Challenge after a high tackle on Lydon.
Later in the game after being tackled by Dale Shearer, the Manly fullback appeared to step on Lydon's head after he had got the ball away to teammate David Stephenson.
Lydon made one last appearance for Great Britain, as fullback in their 10–6 loss to Australia in the 1992 Rugby League World Cup Final at Wembley on 24 October.
Lydon sprained his ankle at the end of Britain's first set from the kick-off when thrown the ball for the 5th tackle kick, he slipped and was forced to pass off to halfback Deryck Fox.
Lydon had not even expected to play at Wembley, but was called into the squad by coach Malcolm Reilly after the original choice Graham Steadman had been injured at the teams final training run just 2 days before the game.
[20] On 24 October 2007, Lydon returned to the Wigan Warriors Club as part of the takeover by Ian Lenagan, and became Chief Executive of the Holding Company.