Albert has spent a lifetime in athletics. He came into the sport in the late 1940s after taking part in the local Boys Brigade Cross Country. He joined Boundary Harriers and ran with them for a number of years before he joining Waterloo Harriers..

Bertie remained with Waterloo until the early 1970s when they merged with Southport. Along with a number of other ex Waterloo members, Bertie joined Sefton Harriers. He has remained a member ever since and this time embraced the merger with Liverpool Pembroke in 1995.

Bertie enjoyed a long and happy career, as an endurance athlete. He took part in many marathons and cross-country events, always willing to travel to the National Cross Country Championships.

Having enjoyed himself as an athlete Bertie then proceeded to put back something into the sport he loved so much. This began with coaching at Netherley, Kirkby and Crosby in the early 80s.

To help Sefton Harriers pick up officials points at Northern league fixtures Bertie began his next athletics career as a starter. It is as a starter that most members of the athletics fraternity know him. He is to be seen at almost every athletics event held within Merseyside. Sports Hall, Schools, Disabled, Liverpool & District Cross Country Union and the County AA have all been regular beneficiaries of Bertie’s work.

It would be difficult to name another official who has attended as many meetings as Bertie over the last fifteen years. His willingness to help and his early arrivals at fixtures are well known. All this is done by the use of public transport, as Bertie does not drive!

In an age when we witness a tendency to consume without a thought of also putting back, it is refreshing to see the Berties of this world buck the trend and give back more than they ever took out of the sport.