| Chapter 3 1939 to 1968 (page 34)
by a coach trip to Blackpool Illuminations which was enjoyed by
all.
The 1951/52 season was anticipated with optimism; the feeling
being the Club was at it's strongest since the War. At the A.G.M on 21
September Ted Rogers stood down as Hon Secretary, and his place was
taken by an enthusiastic new member, Les Earlam. Les was to hold
the post for five years, during which time he carried out some fine work
and the Club's stature grew year by year. It was during this year season
that the tide of events began to turn in Favour of Sefton, and the hard
groundwork that had been going on for a few years, began to yield
positive results.
On the 26th January 1952 in the Liverpool and District
Championships at Arrowe Park, although our Seniors could finish only 5th
team, our own Jim Sampson was 3rd in the race, and won the 1st unplaced
medal. Our Youth team giving a warning of things yet to come, took the
bronze team medals as did our Boys in their race.
To prove that this was no fluke, the Youths struck again at the
West Lancs at Sherdley Park on 9th February, when they won the team race
with 50 points, placing 6,7,15. and 22.
This fine victory must have inspired our Seniors to greater
efforts for they finished in third teamplace with 110 pts; the scorers
being J. Sampson 14th, L. Evans 16th, C. Ellick 18th, R. Vaughan 19th,
W. Glaister 20th and Club Captain Bert Searle 23rd. What packing! They
must have been within touching distance of each other.
A keenly fought Club Championship on the 29th March saw Jim
Sampson win both Senior and Junior titles, with the Youth's race
again going to Steve Rogers, and E.Alker winning the boys event.
In the Sefton Park Road Relay on the 5th April, Sefton with their
increasing self-confidence, were making the running at the front
when the newly found talent of Alan Woolridge ran us into 2nd place on
the 3rd stage. Although the race was won by Wirral A.C our 4th position
at the finish showed the level of our improvement.
Uncountable the high spot of 1952 for Sefton was Charlie Ellick's
victory in the Doncaster to Sheffield Marathon, which incorporated the
Northern Counties Championship. This happened on the 14th April over
what marathon runners of the day considered to be the toughest course in
the country. it brought tears of pride to many old Seftonians eyes, and
evoked memories of the
|