Liverpool Pembroke & Sefton H&AC

 

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Please support LPS by joining our monthly Tote Draw. Details from Charles Gains 01695 573921
Junior League exit? 25 July
Following a poor turn out at the Deeside match the LPS U20s were at Bebington for the final encounter. On this occasion there were even less athletes and unsurprisingly the club was last. Two athletes won their respective events, Billy Williams high jumped 1.80m(1.90m at Deeside) and Ruth Doran took the Shot with 9.22m(9.12m at Deeside) and also added a 19.00m Javelin throw to finish fourth in that event. Emma Givens sprinted well with a 13.3 100m and an impressive 15.5 100m hurdles and Mike Carmona-Jones also had three third placings, Hammer 36.79m, Discus 28.79m and Shot 10.05m.
While a handful of athletes enjoy this competition it is clear the club can no longer warrant continued membership of the league. It is generally agreed that we should pull out for 2011 and consider alternative competition for our U20s. This will be confirmed at our AGM on Friday 17 September. If you have any views please let Wally Bridson or Charles Gains know. There are numerous other clubs in a similar position.
LPS just miss out on promotion 18 July
Liverpool Pembroke Sefton went into the final match of the Young Athletes Northern League match at Wavertree knowing that if the could beat the talented Crewe and Nantwich club they would be guaranteed promotion to the Premier League. In spite of some outstanding performances the host club was never going to match the depth of the Cheshire outfit and so it proved as they ran out comfortable winners with 676 points to the LPS total of 615. Game over for this year but promotion will surely come. Read More
New club record for Rimmer! 11 July
Michael Rimmer was in Lausanne for the IAAF Diamond series. His 800m was a race he will remember for the rest of his life as it proved the moment when he went once again through the elusive 1.45 barrier. Although only fifth he was carried to 1.44.49 by two Kenyans, a South African and his close rival the Pole, Marcin Lewandowski. This time was the best by a British runner since 1993 and took him to 8th in the All-Time UK rankings and, interestingly, less than half a second behind one of his great heroes, Steve Ovett. This was naturally the fastest time ever posted by a Merseysider overtaking such redoubtable figures as Curtis Robb and Ikem Billy. It was, of course, also a new club record!

Kate rises to new heights at Birmingham 11 July
Liverpool Pembroke Sefton had three athletes at the English Schools Championships in Birmingham. Intermediate Kate Doran produced a personal best of 1.65m in the High Jump and was 8th out of 22 competitors but clearing the same height as the eventual bronze medallist. Junior Amelia McLaughlin nearly reproduced her top performance with 1.57m finishing 13th in her age group while Senior Toby Loveridge ran a season's best of 4.02.87 in a heat of the 1500m
Seniors enjoy Longford Park 4 July
Liverpool Pembroke Sefton senior athletes were at Stretford's Longford Park for the third match of the Northern League Track and Field series. The event was characterised by a series of double winners. Among the men these were the 200m pairing of Nathan Hilton(23.0) and Harry Doran(22.9), the vet/youngster coupling of discus throwers Mark Line(36.74m) and Mike Carmona-Jones(32.39m) plus triple jumper Dean Matthews(12.78m) and coach Dave Street(11.38m). The women were also of the same inclination as Kirsty Longley took the A 800m race 2.26.4 and team mate Steph Swift the B event in 2.36.3. Read More .
Barcelona booked 27 June
After a magnificent second place in the European Team Championship Michael Rimmer was at Birmingham for the 800m for the Aviva UK Championships and European Trials. Michael commands such respect domestically that the field virtually pushed him to the front after 100m and thereafter gazed at his back. A 400m in 54.77 was modest for Britain's Number 1 two lapper and he was untroubled to the tape in 1.47.22. This constituted an historic fifth consecutive national title at only 24 years of age. With the European qualifying time already under his belt this was something of a formality and confirmation that his trip to Barcelona was booked. Michael now has two Diamond league runs in Lausanne and Paris before the championships. In his own words he has never felt more confident or better prepared.
LPS dominate at Wavertree 20 June
While the club`s international 800m star, Michael Rimmer, was finishing second for Great Britain in the televised European Team Championships in Norway, the Liverpool Pembroke Sefton Young Athletes were enjoying themselves at Wavertree in the Division 1 (SW) League. This is precisely the sort of competition that Rimmer cut his teeth on over 10 years ago and is the opportunity for ambitious track and field athletes to plot similar careers. On this occasion LPS ran up a points total of 646 and devastated their opponents Wigan(429) and Altrincham(182) with over 40 victories. Read More
Mature performance from Michael Rimmer 19 June
The European Team Championships were held in Bergen, Norway and will be well remembered by Michael Rimmer. He faced some of the best in Europe in the 800m including the Olympic Champion, Yuriy Borzakovskiy of Russia. Michael must have been surprised as the Russian abandoned his usual tactic of lurking at the back of the field before pouncing and led through the bell in 52.08. This was spot on for Michael who ran a tactically perfect race. Read More
Double silver at Northern Championships 12/13 June
Two Liverpool Pembroke Sefton athletes collected silver medals in the Northern Senior and Under 20 Championships at Manchester's Sport City. The depth in strength of the club's 400m runners was on show once more as no fewer than three faced the starter for the Senior 400m final all, interestingly, students at Edge Hill University.
Tawanda and Holly shine at Blackpool 12 June
The Lancashire County Schools Track and Field Championships were held as usual at Blackpool and Juniors Tawanda Lungu and Holly Lewis, representing West Lancashire, scored a brilliant first and second in the 100m with 13.0 and 13.3 respectively, delighting their coach Mike Dandy. Others who did well by the seaside were a trio of Intermediate Boys, Sean Kirkbride second in the 800m with 2.04, Adam Goldfarb second in the 1500m Steeplechase(5.09.7) and Luke Woodland third in the Long Jump(5.31m). Read More
Much Improved LPS 5June
There was a much improved performance by LPS athletes in a closely contested match in the northern league held at Wavertree on Saturday. They finished 3rd(338) behind West Cheshire (391) & St.Helens Sutton (360) It was a good all round team performance, with few individual winners on the day. Read More
Amazing performance from Chris Pedder 1 June
The Stretford Graded Meeting on 1st June saw Chris Pedder record an amazing 4.27.59. An ordinary time, perhaps, for younger athletes but Chris is over 50 and this posting will surely propel him to the highest levels in his age group.
There were other PB`s, Alistair Nelson clocked an excellent 1500m of 4.17.5, while at 800m Rob Parkinson recorded 2.08.76 and Keith Lester 2.23.9. Jai Vernon-McGuigan was also on song in the 3000m taking a chunk off his best time with 9.00.91, frustratingly just a fraction outside the magic 9 minute barrier. It will come before the season is out.
Kirsty second again 30 May
The popular Mersey Tunnel 10K run once again showed the class of Liverpool Harrier, Jenny Clague, who strode to a comfortable win with 36.17. She still remains the queen of Merseyside distance running but LPS`s Kirsty Longley continues to chase. She was second once more in 38.04 but well clear of the third woman. The gap looks huge but Kirsty will never give up. Read More & Northern Report
Charlie Gain Jimmy Auburn & Jack Highton Jimmy Auburn 100 not out 25 May
It is hard to believe as Jimmy Auburn celebrates is 100th birthday that he started his running career in 1926, the `Chariots of Fire’ era. His first efforts were at the Stanley Athletic Grounds, later occupied by the Stanley Abattoir. In those days the track season opened on Good Friday and athletes were expected to turn up the night before to tidy up the place and possibly get in some last minute training! Eventually he found himself attracted into the ranks of Liverpool Pembroke Athletic Club which was enjoying a post-First World War boom and were to dominate local distance running for two decades. Read More




Four PBs in succession! 23 May
Nowhere is the decline in athletics participation beyond 17 years more obvious than in the National Junior(Under 20) League. The second match locally saw Liverpool Pembroke Sefton struggling yet again to get bodies out but clearly they are not alone in this dilemma with even combined clubs unable to cover the entire smorgasbord of events. The issue of retention is one the governing bodies of the sport continue to ignore at their peril. Read More
1,2,3 for LPS 16 May
The strength of the club's 400m squad was evident at the inaugural North West Track & Field Championships held on Saturday at Stretford. In the senior men's 400 metre race, Nathan Hilton (48.84) took gold, just edging out Harry Doran (48.99) who took silver, whilst Danny Higham (50.14) took the bronze.

LPS Young Athletes were also competing at Stretford on the Sunday. They had a comfortable victory over hosts Trafford & Bolton. The outstanding individual performance of the day came from Kate Doran in winning U17W high jump with a leap of 1.67m, a grade 1 standard & English schools qualifying height; Kate had earlier won the long jump (4.56m).Read More
Amy Aitchinson, Charlotte Christian and Ruth DoranThrowers and Jumpers excel in County Championships 9 May
As usual Liverpool Pembroke Sefton athletes were split between the Merseyside(Wavertree) and Lancashire(Blackpool) championships. There were numerous good results and medals at both venues and an early season trend towards quality throws and jumps continued. In Liverpool there were predictable Under 20 victories for Dean Matthews in the Triple Jump(13.21) and Billy Williams in the High Jump(1.75m). Throws specialist Michael Carmona-Jones in the same age group took the Discus title with 32.32m to add to a silver in the Hammer(36.58m).  Read More



Amy Aitchinson, Charlotte Christian and Ruth Doran with their medals at Merseyside Champs



Busy Bank Holiday Weekend for LPS athletes 4th May
It was a busy weekend for LPS athletes with the opening league fixtures for both young athletes and seniors plus the Waterloo 15k
Reports can be found on this link
National Junior League at Wigan 25 April
Clubs with smaller numbers are often cruelly exposed in the Junior(Under 20) League and so it turned out for LPS in the opening encounter of the Mersey Division match at Wigan. Finishing seventh out of eight teams is discouraging but within that constraint there are always good individual performances to laud. So it was with a clutch of wins among the men. Adam Thomson in the 400m was well pleased with his 50.8 as was Toby Loveridge taking the A 1500m in 4.10.9 and likewise team mate Jai Vernon-McGuigan in the winning B string support chopping a chunk off his personal best with 4.13.1. Sean Kirkbride won the B 800m easily in a sharp 2.05.3. Dean Matthews was also a clear victor in the Triple Jump leaping to a very satisfactory 13.26m and opening up the prospect of 14m in the near future. Billy Williams delivered a second in the High Jump with 1.70m and two U17 throwers, Danny Holloran and Tom Johnson were prominent with Johnson's Hammer throw of 36.19m for third spot probably the pick of the casts. Read More
Michael Rimmer starts 800m campaign 25 April
Michael Rimmer was in Dakar, Senegal for the IAAF World Challenge Meeting. His 800m contained the talented South African, Mbulaeni Mlaudzi, and he gave him a fierce battle, losing out but recording 1.46.29. This represents his best ever opening season debut and demonstrated the fine form he is in. He maintains, nevertheless, that he should have got Mlaudzi and will be looking out for him next time! John Bradshaw believes this could be Michael's best year ever given a long overdue quota of luck.

Albert Searle 18 April
Norman Wilson (left) and Bert Searle 2009It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of the club's oldest member Bert Searle on 18 April2010. Bert who was 98 in January joined Sefton Harriers in the 1930s and was instrumental along with Stan Lubbock in starting the club up again after the second world war. He was club captain in 1950s and was still active until the early 1970s when he moved to North Wales. Although no longer living in the area he was always keen to keep up with club news and would make donations to the club. I had the pleasure along with Norman Wilson to spend an afternoon with Bert last November when the three of us went out to lunch and talked over old times.  Read More
His Funeral will be in Colwny Bay Crematorium on Tuesday 27 April at 1pm

Bert Searle on the right of Norman Wilson November 2009

 
Rimmer sets new club record 18 April
Mike RimmerMichael Rimmer has erased Dave Dudley's long-standing 1500m record by a good 3 seconds over the weekend. Running at the first Trafford open meeting of the season on Sunday 18 April he ran 3:41:1 to win his heat. It will not have escaped the track stats fans that this is not only a club record but the equivalent of a sub-4 minute mile. Clearly Michael.s plans are locked into the 800m this year but his potential over 1500m is a mouth watering prospect. We wish him well in the forthcoming European Championships in Barcelona in July/August and maybe the Commonwealth Games in Delhi as well'.
Michael sent the following text to John Bradshaw "Not long back from training(presumably abroad). Very happy with the result. Perfect conditions. Confirmed my shape well. Shame I won't be having another crack at 1500m this year. Supposed to be racing in Senegal this weekend but looking unlikely with the ash problem. Will keep you posted'.
Dave Dudley the previous holder of the 1500m record sent the following email on hearing of his record being broken "It's about time time!! I have been watching the progress of Michael and have been waiting for this notification that I no longer hold the club 1500m record holder for quite a while. I suspect there is quite a bit more to come off the record as I think Michael is capable of running sub 3.35. No pressure Michael. As with a few other club members I do feel that Michael should consider a move up to the 1500m sooner rather than later, as that is where I foresee some success for him at the majors. One word of warning Michael, you better make that 1500m record a good one, as my little boy Laurence is beginning to show signs of being a bit of an athlete. Good luck for 2010 and beyond and if there is one tip that I can pass on to you, don't fall asleep on the third lap. I owe that one to John Bradshaw."
An excellent to start to 2010 lets hope Michael can carry through this early form into the major championships later this season.
Track and Field round up 18 April
Among the interesting early season performances at the two Liverpool Harriers meetings several other athletes, besides Amelia McLaughlin, displayed their season's intentions. Nathan Hilton ran a swift 200m in 22.8 and 400m in 50.7. Danny Higham was in close contention in the latter recording 51.1. Junior Stuart Dolman will also be happy with a 200m outing of 23.1 and 100m in 12.0. Andrew Williams(U17), was impressive with a 53.2 one lap to add to a 23.7 200m clocking. Paul Milburn in the 400m Hurdles was more sanguine about his 60.4 timing but there is more in the tank than that. Hannah Roberts, 100m in 13.8 and 200m in 29.1, also went home happy. Read More
Rivington Pike 3 April
The mini-revival in LPS endurance running fortunes continued as a trio tackled the traditional Bank Holiday fell run at Rivington Pike. Greg Callaghan who is running superbly at the moment was 23rd and 3rd in the O45 category. Chris Pedder was not far adrift in 33rd with the ever-dependable Keith Lester on 136. As a team LPS were an encouraging overall 8th and in the accompanying Merseyside County Championships second behind Wirral AC.

Bumper day at Southport 2 April
There was a good turn out of Liverpool Pembroke Sefton runners at Southport's attractive Good Friday races. Not unexpectedly the club's star turn was Kirsty Longley in the Women's 4 mile event. Kirsty has made remarkable progress in the last few years and girls that used to beat her comfortably are now left trailing in her wake as she steamed to an untroubled victory. Seven men were in the equivalent 4 miler with a remarkable Jai Vernon-McGuigan 10th and first Under 17. Jai collected the scalps of useful LPS runners including Greg Callaghan(15) who collected the O45 prize, Ian Roberts(16) and Mike Bride(21) who was third Junior Man home. The amazing super-vet Jeff Mason was next in 38th, taking the O55 prize. Ed Rimmer was 40th and Keith Lester 69th. There was another bright spot as Under 15 James Grundy won the Male Fun Run with Toria Swift unofficially 3rd Junior Woman.
Club Tote Account
This is our most important means of raising funds for club development. Please join the monthly draw. Details from Charles Gains(01695 573921).

The present account has been re-numbered. Please contact Charles Gains if you want your new number. The recent winning numbers were February(No 4) and March(No 24).
Bernie seventh in Liverpool Half 28 March
Bernie Murphy had a good run in the Liverpool Half Marathon coming home 7th and 3rd O40 in 75.52.

Star of the future
Stars of the future

Picture shows two LPS stars of the future U15s Amelia McLoughlin and Amy Aitcheson at a combined events training session at Sports City taken by Tony Minichello, coach to World Champion Jessica Ennis.
It was a great experience for the girls who will soon have an opportunity to try out their new skills when the track season starts next month.



English Schools CC Champs 20 March
These championships were held at Manchester's Heaton Park in wet, miserable and muddy conditions. From an LPS point of view it bore the hallmark of an end-of-season outing with only a handful of participants. Toria Swift running for Lancashire will not be pleased with her 178th Senior spot after some stirring runs in the previous weeks. The rest of the club's entrants were Merseyside. Junior James Grundy's performances are usually thought of as `solid' but he has edged forward this year and in finishing 64th he gave evidence of steady progress through the ranks. Jai Vernon-McGuigan is always `value for money' and his 80th placing and third counter helped Merseyside to a reasonably healthy 11th Inter team slot. Mike Bride in the same race was 214th.
Mid-Lancs Cross Country League Winners Official confirmation for 2009-10
Team winners LPS GOLD Under 15 Boys. GOLD Under 17 Men
Individual winners SILVER James Grundy U15 Boys, BRONZE Kirsty Longley Senior Women. Jack Crook was third U11 Boy overall
The presentation evening is at Bamber Bridge on Friday 26th March 2010

LPS at Birmingham 13 March
Cofton Park adjacent to the former Longbridge car factory was the Birmingham venue for the televised Inter-counties championships and world trials. Once again Under 20 Rhea Ellis showed her class hanging in grimly throughout and accelerating home to virtually replicate her National Championship run with 24th spot and leading the Merseyside team to 16th team placing. Read More

Treble joy 6 March
Jack Crook in action at BarrowThe final Mid-Lancs Cross Country League match was at Barrow and it was essential that Liverpool Pembroke Sefton make the long trip if their Under 15s were to ensure the coveted title. Coach John McCarten urged commitment and he got it in abundance from the squad as Alistair Nelson took command of the race and romped home 20 seconds clear. James Grundy has looked impressive all season and his third spot was a just reward. George Curran similarly gave it is his all with fifth and David Reece(12) wrapped up the team result with Rob Parkinson(15) not far adrift. With LPS having already comfortably secured the U17 title this could be deemed an even more satisfying result carved out of sheer rugged perseverance. Read More


A good day at Roundhay 27 February.
The National Cross Country Championships were held in Leeds over the tough and muddy Roundhay Park circuit. From a Liverpool Pembroke Sefton perspective one of the best individual performances came from Rhea Ellis in the Under 20 Women who was never too far off the main group and finished a gallant 22nd with team mate Toria Swift on 70th. Alistair Nelson(25) was again highly placed and barely a minute off the winner in the U15 race but such was the quality around him he could only finish 25th leading a team of James Grundy(103), George Curran(143) and David Reece(284) to 17th team slot. Rob Parkinson(322) was in support. Kirsty Longley was the club's only Senior Woman but a tremendous effort carried her to 78th, her finest position ever in this highly competitive championship. Read More

Fab four storm Parbold Hill 13 February
The 40th anniversary of the classic Parbold Hill Race provided an unexpected bonus for Liverpool Pembroke Sefton. The team of vets ran the race in perfect harmony. Greg Callaghan(11) had at his heels Graham Cairns(14), Mark Salter(16) and Chris Pedder(17). This close packing out manoeuvred other more fancied clubs and LPS took the team title for the first time ever.
Not to be outdone the Senior Women replicated their male colleagues at the Mid-Lancs Cross Country League match in Hyndburn. Rhea Ellis(3), Kirsty Longley(5) and Toria Swift(21) edged home ahead of their opponents and demonstrated again the advance of senior distance running in LPS. Read more on both events

Proposed sports development at Edge Hill University
A £25m regional sporting centre of excellence is proposed at Edge Hill University including an 8 lane track. This can be viewed on this link

Championships Reports From Merseyside Schools & Liverpool & District 6/7 February
The Liverpool and District Cross Senior Country Championships were held as usual at Clarke Gardens and attracted a slightly larger than normal field. There have been signs this season of a mild recovery in Liverpool Pembroke and Sefton's fortunes and this was again in evidence. Fifth team overall did not tell the entire story as eleven LPS men faced the starter.
There does seem to be a decline though in school numbers. At the Merseyside Championships in Arrowe Park the fields were thin. In the Junior Boys James Grundy was 5th and both the Inters and Seniors provided a trio of LPS members. Read more on both events

Pembroke Photos 2 February
I have added a few more photos of the Pembroke athletes from the mid 1990s sent to us by Jim Creaby check out the link below  Photos

Rhea shines through the mist at BlackburnClass performance from Rhea 23 January
For the Liverpool Pembroke Sefton contingent attending the Northern Cross Country Championships at Blackburn's Witton Park there was no argument about the day's best performance. Still on a high from gaining her first representative vest Rhea Ellis took on the elite of the region's Under 20 Women and was consistently in the leading bunch. She tackled the infamous terrain with huge confidence and determination and in a pulsating finish closed rapidly on the fading third medallist failing only by a handful of seconds for the bronze. Read More

Rhea collects a representative vest 17 January
The UK Cross Country Challenge races attract the best in the country and Cardiff was no exception. Running for the North in her first Under 20 representative match Rhea Ellis finished a great 8th barely a minute off the winning time. No team results yet but it looks like she may well have collected a silver medal as third counter in the Northern team. Her confidence will be boosted for the coming weekend's Northern Championships at Blackburn.

First Northern medal of the season 17 January
The Under 15 Boys on parade prior to the startThe ice having receded it was back to business for the Liverpool Pembroke Sefton club. In preparation for the following week's Northern Champs the harrier section were at Blackpool for a Mid-Lancs League fixture. Two individual and two team victories characterised the day. At Under 15 Alistair Nelson continued his winning ways towing Kyle Nicholls(11), James Grundy(12) and Warren Turner(13) to an easy team win. To cap a good performance and emphasise depth in strength George Curran(19), Dave Reece(29), Robert Parkinson(31) and Darren McDonald(32) closed in fourth team. The Under 17s provided an almost identical result, Toby Loveridge striding home first and with Jai Vernon-McGuigan(5) and Mike Bride(10) ensuring another team win. Sean Kirkbride(14), Michael Wilson(16) and Ed Rimmer(18) were 5th team. Read More

Graham Prescot
Former Pembroke athlete Graham Prescot has died aged 51. Graham was active during the 1980s as a road and cross country runner. He had been working abroad but moved back to the UK last year. His funeral will be at Anfield crematorium on Friday 15 January at 2pm

Alistaie with Ben Everson at Witton ParkAlistair conquers the snow 9th January
Lancashire was one of the very few counties that managed to stage their cross country championships because of the severe weather conditions. Witton Park, Blackburn is a difficult enough course at the best of times but the snow made it even more hazardous. Burscough's Alistair Nelson was not deterred in the least by this and was always in control of the Under 15 race running side by side with Blackpool's Ben Everson before kicking away over the last 800m to win comfortably by ten seconds. Read More