Athletics - A Local History

“Athletics A Local History” envelops a period , in fact well over 100 years , generally from the 1800s up to 1988 and , as the title states , is “A” Local History not “THE” Local History . Just some of the topics included are: The early days of Pedestrians (Professionals) : The Pole Leap (Vault ) and it’s local links – Tom Ray et al –The Furness area’s World domination of the event : The Guides or Fell Race – the prowess of the likes of Collins , Fleming , Dalzell , Teasdale , Sedgwick , Harrison and Reeves : The Marathon Men - Arthur Preston - a truly historic name in the athletic annals of the Furness area , if ever there was one , yet unknown and unheralded - arguably the very best in the World in his day and Derek Clayton – definitely the very best in the World in his day : Vickers Sons & Maxim Limited - local shipyard workers outstanding athletes : World Fastest 100 Yards At Barrow - a Yank at Croft Park : Powderhall Champion Mike Murray , Tommy Smith Olympic Champion , “The Flying Scot” George McNeill : Emmanuel McDonald Bailey-Vickers Gala connection : Australia’s “Blue Streak” : Corruption or Gamesmanship : Jedburgh in the 60s and 70s , Pooley Bridge , Grasmere, Old Flan , Ambleside : Hugh Fairbridge – nothing short of astounding : Tom Ryan , Les Miller , George Troth , Peter Kenny , John Stretch , Bill Barker , John Cumberbatch , Paul Burns , The Endurance Athlete - Terry Williamson and the Vickers R.U. connection : The Olympians - H.E. (Harry) Askew , J.R. (Joe) Birrell , A.B.(Alan)Parker and R.(Bob) Birrell : From The Depths of Despair to “Olympian” – Bill Bell : “Bright and Breezy” – Tom Wright : Bill Burgess – Flying Machine : Barrow Athletic Club in the early 1950s : The “Even Timers” - Lakeland AAC and Furness Track & Field Club flyers of the 1970s – Joe Sellars , Nigel Nicholson , Carl Hughes , Gary Dunlop : Relay Sprinting History – Anne Lightfoot , Gillian Punton , Susan Fletcher , Maragaret Rae Turner : A Sprint Relay Squad Of Historical Importance – Peter Calvert , Phil Hutton , Colin Hewson and Gary Dunlop : “The Barrow Boys and The Ben” – Barrow AC athletes dominate the famous mountain race : The Strongest Group Of Field Events Athletes ever in the Furness area : Outstanding Lakeland AAC athletes amongst whom were Carol Tyson , Debbie Friar , Louise Parker , Ros Collins , Bill Myers , Bill Pugh , Carl Hughes , George Thompson , Joe Sellars et al : The Pro/Am scenario for young athletes : Politics in Athletics : Local Affiliations : Amateur Timeline : AAA Coaching Scheme : The British Olympic Association Barrow Branch : Local Inaugural Sports Personality Awards : Lakeland Laundry Sports Complex : The Ormsgill Sports Complex : The old Barrow Market Hall Indoor Athletics Centre : Indoor Athletics at RAF Cosford : The Wind on Walney Island : Grand Opening of Park Vale Sports Centre : Barrow Grammar School and Dowdales School influence : Barrow Schools , County and English Schools Championships : Little Athletics – Lakeland Motors Little League : Club , County , Inter – County , National and International connections to both professional and amateur scenarios locally : Accomplishments and Honours related to some of the athletes with local connections , from Juniors to Seniors , in addition to those achieved at Olympic and International levels , including National Medal Winners - National Rankings Female and Male - English Schools Athletics Association National Championships - Representative Honours County Or Above - National Finalists In Amateur Athletic Association , Women’s Amateur Athletic Association , Scottish Amateur Athletic Association And Scottish Women’s Amateur Athletic Association Championship Events – H.M. Armed Forces Championships Finalists : All Time Rankings of local athletes : 3000 plus Females and Males appear in the 694 pages of this book with links to local athletics .