Keith Gerrard (Manx A.C.) became the first islander to win a Liverpool & District League match when he outclassed the opposition at Huyton, but it was the future of the league itself which was the main talking point.
Gerrard, unable to travel to the Reebok Challenge at Birmingham, beat Jimmy Boardman (LPS) by 200 metres with Alan Woods (Wirral) taking third spot, but the poor turnout of 100 athletes
raises doubts about the viability of the league. Proposals are circulating for the merger of
five North West Leagues and with declining participation rates the L&D must consider following
suit.
Peter Walsh, Bernie Murphy, John McCole, Glen Groves, Richard Shearer and Paul Sankey clinched a win for Liverpool after Phil McGlory dropped out. Woods, Mark Hulmston, Kevin Buxton, Andy Devoy, Peter Kilgallon and Paul Howarth gave Wirral second place.
Boardman, Colin Jones, Steve Donegan, Ian Crichton and Kevin Carroll earned third for LPS,
pipping St Helens-Sutton for whom Marc Laithwaite, Tony Smith, Greg Williams, Ian Hayburn and Dennis Wharton scored. Liverpool Running Club were fifth but SouthportWaterloo face relegation after competing in the Mid-Lancs League at Burnley.
West Cheshire head Division Two ahead of Wallasey, who defeated Helsby by four points. Kenny Begley and Andy Clague led West Cheshire, Dave Norman was first home for Helsby and the trio of A. Barbat, J. Johnson and D. Walton gave Wallasey their best result for many seasons.
Ends
Source - Daily Post - Thursday, 04/11/2004 by Phil Thomas
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