There is nothing so interesting in this tour of the clubs as the variety of classes met in various organisations. The senior and elder associations are, as a rule, contented, they have overcome most of the obstacles and survived.
Then there is the middle-aged club which has weathered many of the storms and stresses and ofttimes is content to jog along with an occasional spurt, according to the amount of energy which it may produce from time to time. Next we come to the junior formation, and of all the three, with their sub-divisions and classes, there is none so full of real life with its outlook of hope as the club which has lived its few years.
With two clubs of that character I came in touch on Saturday last - juniors in the sense that they were both formed within the past five years, yet old enough to have tasted well of early troubles that invariably come the way of youthful athletic associations.
Lancashire and Cheshire Fraternise
I have long wished for an opportunity of gleaning something about the life of the Ravenhead H. and A.C., for having seen them in competition I imagined I saw something uncommon in organisation. The pleasure on Saturday was two-fold, for in addition to viewing the Liverpool district junior champions of 1909. I witnessed Wallasey A.C., who had the honour of being runners-up in that same championship two years in succession. Not always does a rival become a friend, yet, this inter-club fixture is the outcome of the defeat which Ravenhead accomplished in 1909 at Bebington, when Wallasey lost by a few points to Ravenhead.
The meeting place on Saturday was Wallasey's headquarters at Liscard. A better day could not have been wished for, the only drawback being a cold wind, which however added zest to the men's efforts.
Another club, the Liverpool Gordon, wished to join in the run. and their dozen youngsters were cordially welcomed.
An Enjoyable Test.
Ravenhead were without their champion and captain. H. Wilcock. and probably the other side were not at full strength. Anyway, the run was more friendly than keen. It was agreed to have a one-pack run, with a one mile break at the close. About six miles of country were covered, a small portion on the road, some real rough country, and a portion of the sandy riverside being included.
E. Plant, Wallasey, who has earned more than local fame this summer with his one mile track performances, was quite expected to be first man home. A. G. Nicholson, Wallasey, and H. J. Lyon. Ravenhead were also fancied. When time drew nigh, and form had been well weighed, there did not appear to be so much certainty as to who would win, and, so doubtful was the opinion, that my services were requisitioned as referee. They were not required, for although Nicholson and Lyon came first into view, it was by a full yard that the former claimed victory.
That was not all that Wallasey claimed. They had five in the first six men home, and as six aside counted they had an easy win, the points at the close being:- Wallasey A.C., 31; Ravenhead H. and A.C., 57; Liverpool Gordon, 101.
Everything pertaining to the fixture was well organised, and carried out with a nice spirit of friendly rivalry. The winners received hearty congratulations, especially from the Gordons, who came in for a share of jubilant chaff at having just topped their first century of the season. The first six places were taken by A. G. Nicholson (Wallasey), H. J. Lyon (Ravenhead), E. Plant (Wallasey), C. H. Spence (Wallasey). W. J. Pinfold (Wallasey), and E. S. Bale (Wallasey).
Founded on Enthusiasm.
In common with the many clubs which have sprung up in the St. Helens district the spirit of enthusiasm and the love of outdoor sport, account for the existence of the Ravenhead H. and A.C Their primary object is the cult of athleticism. To found and keep alive a cross-country club does not require large capital, rather does it entail an outlay of energy on the part of the officials and its active members. Ravenhead appear to possess the two latter qualities, and if they are not overburdened with cash, they have sufficient to live upon, and they are not desirous of working to store up a huge bank balance. With a membership of 85 they may be said to have a fair share of the product of their district, and they do not go afield in search of foreigners. This season they have had four club runs, and 43 of their number have taken part, a proportion that suggests they have few in actives on the roll.
They are ambitious so for as cross-country work is concerned, for only a few take part in track work in the summer time. They have one exception. H. J. Lyon, the club's hon. secretary, who in addition to performing secretarial duties, acts equally keenly on the path. They recruit their members from the raw material, and train them in their own fashion, which is based on good lines. Altogether it is a type of club of which we followers of the sport should be proud. The youth who devotes one evening during the week, and one afternoon each week, to the strenuous pursuit of cross-country running cannot be doing mind or body anything but good, and from my observations on Saturday last, the individual members, from the youngest to the oldest, appeared to be well set-up youths, who were employing their leisure time in a profitable manner to themselves and the community.
Different Objects: Similar Methods.
The Wallasey members share in most of my remarks concerning their visitors of Saturday from St. Helens. Their objects, I gathered, are not identical. From the hon. Secretary, Reg Scoins, I learned much that was interesting of the club's doings. They are a winter and summer club. Their object is to build up in the widest sense an athletic club. With that object they are hoping, by I steady progress, to build up an organisation ; that will embrace track men, short and long distance, all of whom may participate in the winter programme of cross-country running and a social life.
During the past season they have endeavoured to promote evening races for members. In that they were partially successful, but next year they have brighter prospects. Finances and a track have been their drawback. The track difficulty may soon be settled: the financial aspect can only alter by the measure of success that comes from their own labours. They have not a densely populated area to draw upon, consequently their membership is not large; its numbers are quite sufficient, combined with the energetic efforts that are being displayed to bring about a soundly built organisation in the near future.
Their members are not all youths. Included in the list are noted men like A. G. Nicholson, a well-known path performer of merit, and H. S. Mellander, an all-round athlete, whose name and ability has been a by-word for many years. For two seasons past they have made a bold bid for junior championship honours in the Liverpool District Association; twice they have been second; last year Liverpool Boundary beat them by four points.
This season they have a much stronger combination, and, if they proceed on the same good lines, even their strongest opponents will not begrudge them the honour if it should come Wallasey way. They are a happy family, all working for the same objects, and it is pleasing to note the cultivation of a happy social life is one of the prime desires.
Ends
Source - Athletic News - Monday, 17/10/1910 by Outpost
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