When one pauses for a moment to consider the almost unique advantages enjoyed by the Wallasey Athletic Club over most of the other cross-country racing clubs in the North it is a matter for wonderment that it has not yet been in the running for national honours.
As the only club catering for this fine sport in Wallasey, it has a huge population on which to draw for its members, while, in addition, it has for many years had its presidential chair-filled by that forceful personality in Northern athletics, Mr. A. G. Nicholson, the president of the Northern Counties Athletic Association. Add to these two valuable assets a body of experienced athletes able and very willing to dispense the soundest advice on all matters athletic, and one perceives a combination which, properly organised, should be almost unbeatable.
The best theories, however, do not always work out in practice, and an examination of the results of the club's, efforts in the last few years leads one to the conclusion that greater things would have been achieved had the members been galvanised by the spur of a little healthy local competition. This fact has been clearly recognised this season, and, in the absence of competition nearer home, the club has taken strong measures to provide its members with an extensive racing programme against clubs on the other side of the Mersey. So far every race has been excellently supported, and home runs have been so infrequent that, when a fixture with Liverpool University Harriers had to be abandoned last Saturday, the Wallasey men found a social run over their own course almost a novelty.
The run, which was well supported, was rendered notable, by the presence of Mr. A. G. Nicholson, who has not taken part in a Saturday afternoon turn-out for several years. His unexpected reappearance was hailed with enthusiasm. Another notable performer to make his first appearance, this season was H. J. Neale, who will long be remembered for his sterling efforts last season, both in inter-club and championship races. If the last mentioned is able to carry out his declared intention of supporting the fixture with North Liverpool Gymnasium Harriers at Aintree to-day, there is every reason for optimism.
Of the other runners who turned but mention might be made of J. Edwards, H. Jones, H. C. Binns and G. M. Band, all of whom had a speedy passage, especially the latter, who arrived at the finish at a tremendous pace. W. R. Richardson started some minutes behind the main body, but, as usual,
contrived to overtake a fair proportion of the pack.
The run over and the refreshments cleared away, Mr. Nicholson presented the medals won by W. R. Richardson and N. J. Neale in the club championship earlier in the year. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to Mr. Nicholson, who had absented himself from an important meeting at Leeds to be present.
To-day the members will meet outside Liverpool Town Hall at 2.30 p.m. for their run with North Liverpool Gymnasium Harriers at the Blue Anchor, Aintree.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 25/11/1933
Ref 1776