| Chapter 2 1914-1939 (page 28)
time.
In the 1938 Sefton Park Relay, in which we were 2nd team to
Pembroke; R.G Jones put us into the lead on the 1st leg with an
excellent time of 16.40 for the 31/4 mile lap. He was ably backed by
Bert Searle, Fred Rogers, and Tom Hogan. Fred Rogers, who was Club
Captain for the years 1935/6/7/8 was also Club Cross-Country Champion in
1937 and 1938. He is happily retired, and is living in North Wales near
his old club mate; Bert Searle. Bert who was a young slip of a lad in
those days, came back from the 1939-1946 conflict to become part of the
backbone of the Club.
it was Andy Byrne who introduced the author to Sefton Harriers.
Andy was a doughty opponent, and he had a tenacity which had to be seen
to be believed. His ability to hang on and suffer was remarkable.
Of medium height, and slight build, Tom Hogan was a live wire and
a real "terrier" of a runner. He won the Club Cross Country Championship
in the last year before the outbreak of the 2nd World War.
The report of the event in the local press captured the atmosphere
and excitement so well that it is reproduced here.
"The Makerfield Cup, which is Sefton Harriers trophy for
their Senior Championship, is to be held for 12 months by T.Hogan; for
he defeated the holder (Rogers) at West Derby following a thrilling
struggle. From the time that MR J.T. Rimmer set the pack off, these two
men took it in turns at leading the field, and it was only in the 50yds
that Hogan raced ahead, and won by an extremely narrow margin of 5yds.
Downs the Junior Champion of the Club was 3rd. Again it happened that
the winner and runner-up were placed the same in the sealed handicap,
with Newbury running into third position. Sefton Championship was over a
four lap course, the distance, as usual being approximately 10
miles".
The sudden deaths of both Tom Hogan and Andy Byrne, was a
sadness to those of us who knew them, and we will miss them when we
celebrate our Centenary.
Happily Harry Kay is still with us, and lives in contented retirement
in Cumbria. In the tradition of the Kay family, Harry
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