Wallasey's A.C. international long jumper, Len Platt, has been awarded the Blair Trophy for the most outstanding performance during 1952 by an athlete from the No. 5 District of the Northern Counties A.A. which includes West Lancashire, Liverpool & District, Cheshire and North Wales.
Platt is the first to receive this handsome trophy, which is awarded in memory of the late Tommy Blair, who rendered such great service to Merseyside athletics during the last 40 years.
The trophy will be up for competition every year for either, track or cross-country athletes, the award being made for the best single performance rather than general ability, or a series of successes.
Platt's winning performance was his 23ft. 6in. long jump achieved in the Northern championships, although he also had many successes last year in the hop, step and jump, high-jump and the 100 yards.
With the continually rising standard in athletics today, competition for this trophy is likely to be keen, and Platt must have been pushed close by another jumper, young Freddy Reeve, of Wirral A.C., who broke, the Junior A.A.A. hop, step and jump record by 1ft. 10ins. with a distance of 45ft. 11¼in.
The trophy will be presented to Len Platt at Wallasey A.C. headquarters during the course of the next few weeks.
Track members are reminded that they should, now be in regular training as the first of the club championships will be held in a few weeks time.
Gone are the days when track athletes could take it easy all winter and be successful competition with a comparatively small amount of spring preparation. The only way success can be achieved to-day is by training, training, and more training, and members are asked to take full advantage of club training nights, which are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday as well as Saturday afternoons.
Applications for membership will be welcomed by secretary Carl Gee 78 King Street, Wallasey. (Tel. 5129). Applications for the women's section, should go to either secretary Jean Massey, 200 Seaview Road (Tel. 6455), or captain Margaret. Collings, 60 Withen's Lane (Tel. 2864).
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 18/04/1953 by R.M.
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