BoxRec

Good morning chaps, I wondered if I may trouble you with an appeal to your good nature on behalf of Haverhill's boxing club?

West Suffolk may not strike those unfamiliar with it as an area of deprivation in the way we always hear about the inner city ghetto's of London, Glasgow or Manchester and in truth living in the small town of Haverhill doesn't throw up the scale of problems the people resident in those more infamous locations endure. However, it would be unjust to dismiss the importance of its Amateur Boxing Club - founded in 1978 and housed in corrugated sheds on the edge of its most challenged housing estate - in offering a beacon among the neighbouring gloom. Like boxing clubs up and down the country it offers a productive channel for the youngsters of the town, embracing and encouraging anyone willing to step through the door and accept its simple rules of respect and discipline.

The dedication of head trainer Paul Bryne and assistants Jason Marks and Stuart Hall ensure that twice a week for two hours young and old, regardless of background or ability, have a chance to discover all that boxing can teach them about themselves as human beings and as a sporting endeavour. All of the coaches volunteer their time, passing on their expertise and advice to both the bright eyed 7 year old junior to the 40 year old senior looking to learn before its too late. Beyond the weekly gym sessions, the coaches also ferry fighters to shows and arrange sparring at local gyms too. In short, its a good gym run by good people. But its unlucky.

So frequently has the gym been broken into that contents insurance is no longer practically available, and the most recent break in has left the club bereft of its most valuable kit; recently purchased competition AIBA head-guards, focus pads, coach sparring gloves, floor to ceiling ball, first aid kit, gloves and other associated bout equipment. The club has also spent over £300 adding extra locks to its perimeter in the hope of preventing future attempts to break in. It has proven a costly episode and a demoralising one for the coaches in particular.

As a regular here, and a sometime user of the gym I hoped to throw out a plea for assistance or donations on the club's behalf as they seek to replace their lost equipment. They perform a valuable role in the community, as displayed by the various 'characters' they've provided direction and patience to over the past thirty odd years and it would be uplifting for all if the boxing community at large could find ways, no matter how small, to help them continue to help others.

If you can help contact Jason Marks via [email protected] or send me a pm from which I can put you in touch with the club.

I appreciate every club in the country struggles like hell to keep things ticking over and endure similar set-backs but if you can help Haverhill, please drop me a line.

DavidPayne wrote:Good morning chaps, I wondered if I may trouble you with an appeal to your good nature on behalf of Haverhill's boxing club?

West Suffolk may not strike those unfamiliar with it as an area of deprivation in the way we always hear about the inner city ghetto's of London, Glasgow or Manchester and in truth living in the small town of Haverhill doesn't throw up the scale of problems the people resident in those more infamous locations endure. However, it would be unjust to dismiss the importance of its Amateur Boxing Club - founded in 1978 and housed in corrugated sheds on the edge of its most challenged housing estate - in offering a beacon among the neighbouring gloom. Like boxing clubs up and down the country it offers a productive channel for the youngsters of the town, embracing and encouraging anyone willing to step through the door and accept its simple rules of respect and discipline.

The dedication of head trainer Paul Bryne and assistants Jason Marks and Stuart Hall ensure that twice a week for two hours young and old, regardless of background or ability, have a chance to discover all that boxing can teach them about themselves as human beings and as a sporting endeavour. All of the coaches volunteer their time, passing on their expertise and advice to both the bright eyed 7 year old junior to the 40 year old senior looking to learn before its too late. Beyond the weekly gym sessions, the coaches also ferry fighters to shows and arrange sparring at local gyms too. In short, its a good gym run by good people. But its unlucky.

So frequently has the gym been broken into that contents insurance is no longer practically available, and the most recent break in has left the club bereft of its most valuable kit; recently purchased competition AIBA head-guards, focus pads, coach sparring gloves, floor to ceiling ball, first aid kit, gloves and other associated bout equipment. The club has also spent over £300 adding extra locks to its perimeter in the hope of preventing future attempts to break in. It has proven a costly episode and a demoralising one for the coaches in particular.

As a regular here, and a sometime user of the gym I hoped to throw out a plea for assistance or donations on the club's behalf as they seek to replace their lost equipment. They perform a valuable role in the community, as displayed by the various 'characters' they've provided direction and patience to over the past thirty odd years and it would be uplifting for all if the boxing community at large could find ways, no matter how small, to help them continue to help others.

If you can help contact Jason Marks via [email protected] or send me a pm from which I can put you in touch with the club.

I appreciate every club in the country struggles like hell to keep things ticking over and endure similar set-backs but if you can help Haverhill, please drop me a line.

There are some geniune lowlifes in Britain these days.

It sometimes makes me wonder whether the introduction of Sharia law wouldn't be a good thing. Or perhaps some way of applying to Britain the second ammendment to the US Constitution.

But then I remember that I'm a liberal.

I hope you can find some locals on here who could reasonably donate a bob or two.

Is there no way of securely storing the stuff? (Stupid question, I know.)

The shed is partially isolated really, everything is secured but they proved persistant sods, and in a cruel twist the bag with all their competition gear was left all together having returned it following a show. This would usually be additionally secured or taken home.

They've spent £300 and odd on new locks etc rather than directly replace their lost kit in the first instance.

What are the club colours?

They used to have quite a few schoolboy boxers on at local shows when i boxed
I think Scott Stocking won couple of schoolboys titles for then late 80s/ early 9Os

Its a shame thieveing B*****S

I've heard of Scott Stocking, nice lad the little I've spoken to him - introduced by brother-in-law yonks ago in the pub - doesn't come down there now as far as I know. They had an ABA Q-F at Lightweight in the late seventies I think, Michael Clark, defo Clark but could be Michael could be Tony, he works on local fruit and veg stall now.

I think another fella has a repute from the area, Keiron something or other, bit of folk lore about him handling pros as a teenager, but again, the details are sketchy I've only been a member for 18 or so months and I've missed big swathes of training due to work etc.

To answer the other question, I think the club colours are Red, White and Blue, but I'm waiting confirmation, I've not followed them to a show yet, but those are the training top colours etc.

I'm up Yarmouth next week on holiday, briefly considered popping into the local gym while there, doubt the missus will have it though.....

Jason confirms shirts are red, tracksuits etc blue and white with red trim. Hope this helps.

Thanks for those who've taken the time to read.

DavidPayne wrote:I've heard of Scott Stocking, nice lad the little I've spoken to him - introduced by brother-in-law yonks ago in the pub - doesn't come down there now as far as I know. They had an ABA Q-F at Lightweight in the late seventies I think, Michael Clark, defo Clark but could be Michael could be Tony, he works on local fruit and veg stall now.

I think another fella has a repute from the area, Keiron something or other, bit of folk lore about him handling pros as a teenager, but again, the details are sketchy I've only been a member for 18 or so months and I've missed big swathes of training due to work etc.

To answer the other question, I think the club colours are Red, White and Blue, but I'm waiting confirmation, I've not followed them to a show yet, but those are the training top colours etc.

Kieron Jackson u prob on about,hed be Late twentys early thirtys now...

DavidPayne wrote:I'm up Yarmouth next week on holiday, briefly considered popping into the local gym while there, doubt the missus will have it though.....

They have top notch gym apperantly now adays in center of the town
When i used to box it was up the nr the harbour,in the back of the old birds eye building bloody freezing it was...

Tommy Gunn13 wrote:

DavidPayne wrote:I've heard of Scott Stocking, nice lad the little I've spoken to him - introduced by brother-in-law yonks ago in the pub - doesn't come down there now as far as I know. They had an ABA Q-F at Lightweight in the late seventies I think, Michael Clark, defo Clark but could be Michael could be Tony, he works on local fruit and veg stall now.

I think another fella has a repute from the area, Keiron something or other, bit of folk lore about him handling pros as a teenager, but again, the details are sketchy I've only been a member for 18 or so months and I've missed big swathes of training due to work etc.

To answer the other question, I think the club colours are Red, White and Blue, but I'm waiting confirmation, I've not followed them to a show yet, but those are the training top colours etc.

Kieron Jackson u prob on about,hed be Late twentys early thirtys now...

Could well be actually, the Jackson are a well known band of brothers in the town, if he's one of them, I wouldn't be at all surprised.

I'm not around for a week so pick up the other email or mobile number above in the thread if anyone can help in any small way.

i can help out with some first aid kit david..... plus some guedel airways etc if something unfortunate happens, next time you are up this way of vice versa ill get a bag of stuff for them, no prob.

Very kind of you fella. I'll try and find time for a brew.

just posting to keep this at the top of the page for you david.

http://funding.sportengland.org/funding ... rants.aspx

This could help?

surely someone on here who is a pro, or part of a promotional company, or part of the media......could help out a bit with their contacts etc, maybe a bit of sponsorship. its no wonder the sport is dying, we should be helping each other.