Simon Langley 2.0

J.M. Hanson, J.S. Pinkney, D. Collinge, R.W. Wrathall, W.A. Baddiley, E.F. Venables, R.F. Davies, D.E.C. Coleman
W.D. McConnell, R.S. Stephens, K. Hall (captain), P.A. Kingston, H.F. Barker
G. Martyn, B.D. Mattock

The following is a list of British athletics records as they stood in 1968:

100 yards
9.4 - Peter Radford (1959)
100 metres
10.2 - Menzies Campbell (1967)

220 yards
20.5 - Peter Radford (1960)

440 yards
45.9 - Robbie Brightwell (1962)

880 yards
1:47.0 - Chris Carter (1966)

1500 metres
3:39.1 - Alan Simpson (1964)

Mile
3:55.7 - Alan Simpson (1965)

3 miles
13:06.4 - Ian McCafferty (1967)

5000 metres
13:33.0 - Michael Wiggs (1965)

6 miles
27:23.8 - Bruce Tulloch (1966)

Marathon
2:13.45 - Alistair Wood (1966)

3000 metres steeplechase
8:32.4 - Maurice Herriot (1964)

120 yards hurdles
13.9 - Michael Parker (1963)

440 yards hurdles
50.4 - John Cooper (1964)

High jump
2.08 - Gordon Miller (1964)

Pole vault
4.80 - Mike Bull (1967)

Long jump
8.17 - Lynn Davies (1966)

Triple jump
16.46 - Fred Alsop (1964)

Shot
19.56 -Arthur Rowe (1961)

Discus
57.00 - Gerald Carr (1965)

Hammer
64.95 - Mike Ellis (1959)

Javelin
79.78 - John FitzSimons (1966)

Decathlon
7392 -Clive Longe (1967)

Fred Alsop was a triple jumper of some note and was the first modern British triple jumper to make an impact at world-level, and was the first Brit to jump over 16m (Perth, 1962). At the Tokyo Olympics in 1964 Alsop was leading the final with 16.46m (also a British record), but would eventually finish just outside the medals in 4th place. In 1965 he jumped a wind assisted 16.65m (+2.5) against Hungary, but never improved beyond his Tokyo mark despite success at the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Kingston (Jamaica). Also a decent long jumper (7.74m in 1964), Alsop won the AAA long jump title  on three occasions.

Taken from the Worksopian December 1933

The match of the season. Trent held an unbeaten record in all matches since 1931, when the fifteen has beaten them here and had not scored less than 30 points in any school match this year. The team, however, rose to the occasion in a remarkable fashion and all played  their best game. It was clear from the start that the Trent backs were fast and clever, A. Obolensky, on the right wing being particularly dangerous, but the School’s forwards were so energetic and the tackling so deadly that they were seldom allowed to get far. In the first few minutes the school pressed hard and J.B. Wentworth-Smith was nearly over. A. Obolensky ran well for Trent but was splendidly tackled by G.H. Stephens on two occasions and Worksop returned to the attack, when F.T. Hopkinson just missed with a drop goal and half-time came with no score. The school pack kept Trent penned in their 25 for the greater part of the second half and after W.R. Andrews had nearly scored, F.T. Hopkinson scored a good try far out. Trent made efforts but R.S. Rennie spear tackled A. Obolensky in great style and a strong run by G.H. Stephens put the school on the attack again. C.W. Walton had a good attempt at a drop but this ended the scoring although the school continued to press, the pace of the Trent backs and S. Harrision’s saving getting them out of some awkward situations.

Worksop College 3 - Trent College 0

Worksop College XV: R.S. Rennie, J.B. Wentworth-Smith, P.L. Bichard, K. Hall, G.H. Stephens, R.B. Green, C.W. Walton, K.R. Dixon, J.C.R. Venables, W.A.C. Johnson, W.R. Andrews, R.S. Stephens, T.F. Gaskall, J.J. Wood, F.T. Hopkinson.

Rugger retrospect - taken from the Worksopian December 1936

This has been a most successful season, one of the best for many years, in spite of several unfortunate injuries, which necessitated continual changes in the side and scarcely allowed the XV to settle down at all. Actually, we have only had our full team out in one match during the whole season, but in spite of that we have up to date won nine out of twelve games against strong opposition, two of our really outstanding victories being to defeat Waterloo A at home and Wrekin away, with only 14 men on each occasion; while in our recent match with Denstone, when we lost a man again in the first ten minutes and with 14 were extremely unlucky to lose by a margin of two tries to a goal and a penalty goal, is still in everybody’s mind as a fine display by the team, which unfortunately did not get its reward, moral victory though it may have been.

Our success has been based on a fine pack of forwards, intelligent and hard working, admirably led by P.A. Kingston; outstanding amongst them have been H.F. Barker, J.C.B. Teale, R.D. Maddock and D. Collinge, but is is really unfair to make comparisons in such a fine eight. An unfortunate accident deprived us of D. Coleman for nine matches altogether, and his thrust and leadership in the backs has been difficult to replace, but P.E.F. Rhodes and J.S. Pinkney have always been dangerous in attack and R.I. Knox has been consistently good at scrum-half. Our other casualty, L.A. Stredwick, on the right wing, has also been off for nine matches and without him we lacked a little essential pace on the wings.

With a full side out, the backs have played excellent football and some of their tries obtained by fast passing and quick backing have been really good. The defence too has been good throughout, R.F. Davies being very sound at back, and tackling and the covering very satisfactory. At Epson, we were unfortunate to lose H.F. Barker early in the game and this, combined with the cleverness of the Epson stand-off, made our defence look worse than it really was. With most of our three-quarters returning and a number of promising forwards coming on, the prospects for next season are more than bright.

Results

F.N. Baird, D.N. Youens
R.F. Davies, R. Grain, R.D. Mattock, C.S. Harden Esq, D Collinge, D.J. Hunting, P.J. Hill.
J.B.C. Teale, D.E.C. Coleman, P.A. Kingston (Capt), H.F. Barker, P.E.F. Rhodes.
J.S. Pinkney, R.I. Knox.

Cricket retrospect - taken from the Worksopian July 1936
Undoubtedly the outstanding feature of the season has been the weather; never has the rain been so persistent, and we have unfortunately had many matches scratched as a result. Starting with only one colour from last year, it was natural to expect the XI to show inexperience in their opening matches, and throughout the season the batting has been uneven - at times good, at other times definitely uncertain; too many of the side play slightly across the line of flight and this invariably leads to disaster. Some of the performances have been excellent, however notably against M.C.C., Sheffield Collegiate and the Craven Gentlemen - and there is no reason to suppose that with approximately seven of the XI again available next year the batting should not be as consistent and sound throughout the sides it has been spasmodically good this season. For P.N. Harvey, W.P.J. Walker, D.E.C. Coleman, W.D. McConnell, K. Hall and captain, G. Martyn have all played excellent innings at times.

The bowling, while lacking in variety, has proved very steady - the brunt of the attack having fallen on G. Martyn, P.E.F. Rhodes and F.E. Warburton, who have all done well, as at the moment each has taken 23 wickets at a cost of just over 12 runs a-piece. They have been fortunate in having the assistance of the best fielding seen for many years at the School. The standard in all the matches has been exceptionally high and has done much to make up for deficiencies elsewhere.

J.B.C. Teale, W.S.P. Ward, K. Farnes Esq., K. Hall, W.D. McConnell
P.E.F. Rhodes, D.E.C. Coleman, G. Martyn (captain), P.N. Harvey, F.E. Warburton
W.J.P. Walker, J.G. Dudley

Interestingly at the 1936 College Sports, K. Hall broke the College cricket ball throwing record with 105yds 1ft 9in (96.32m) - which I personally think is rather impressive. I would not mind betting that no Worksop College student has thrown as far since.

Another unbeaten rugby season was achieved in 1942/1943, although the points scoring was not as prolific as the previous season, some excellent victories were achieved. The drawn match at Sedbergh included a try by Nim Hall, the only try Sedbergh conceded that season.

Photographs of rugby teams actually playing rugby in times gone by are extremely hard to come by, especially during the war years. Dr C.H. Ewart a member the 1941/1942 and 1942/1943 XVs (both unbeaten) has been kind enough to lend me his collection of information relating to this time. The photographs below are contained within The Illustrated Sproting and Dramatic News, November 26 1941.

Please note that the photos below are quite large and as such may take time to download if you have a slow connection.

P. Carmichael swerves to score one of his many tries for the College XV
C.H. Ewart hands off an opponent on his way to scoring a try
H.D. Jennison (in the scrum cap) leads a charge with T.A.S Anderson
N.M. (Nim) Hall kicks a penalty as the rest of the team look on
J.M. Taylor (scrum half) gets the ball away to N.M. Hall

Further to my article on the Worksop College rugby team of 1941 the following may also be of interest. The 8 results below are the only ones that can be found, the remaining 6 (probable opponents would have been C.S. Harden’s XV, Old Worksopians, Rosslyn Park Colts, Waterloo ‘A’, Blackheath ‘A’, Wrekin College) are unknown…

Rest of England team versus the Home Counties
M.G. Locket (Downside), R.D.N.Fabricius (Solihull), L.F.L. Oakley (Bedford), J. Carmichael (Worksop College), P. Parker (Bedford), S.T. Thoebold (Haileybury), A. Fairbairn (Haileybury), A.C.W. Abrahams (Bedford), A.G. McCullum (Imperial Service College), G. Lamb (Clifton), J.H. Hartridge (Oundle), H.D. Jennison (Worksop College), M.J. Sussey (Rugby), J.P. Sawtell (Radley), T.A.S. Anderson (Worksop College)

The Rest won the match 34-11 with Carmichael scoring 3 tries and Anderson converting 3.

By the end of the season the Worksop College XV had played 14 matches and won 14. The team had scored a total of 403 points, and conceded only 13 (not 389 & 12 as was widely reported). N.M. Hall the stand-off half (fly half) had scored 129 points. Bedford School were also unbeaten winning 12 games, scoring 354 points and conceding 26.

Back row (left to right) - R.V. Thompson, E.R. Holliday, J.M. Taylor, T.B.Greenwood, C.H. Ewart, W.G. Briggs
Middle row (left to right) - P.J. Walker, E. Hall, C.S. Harden Esq, G.S. Joss, D.F. Bachelor
Front row left to right) - P. Carmichael, T.A.S. Anderson, H.D. Jennison (Captain), N.M. Hall, J.B. Millar

The 1937 Worksop College athletics sports were pretty unique, mainly due to the fact that J.S. Pinkney (Shirley 1934-1938) equalled or broke College records in the three sprints. It is worth bearing in mind that this was 1937 and that Pinkney’s times of 10.2s, 23s and 53.8s for the 100y, 220y and 440y (11.1, 22.9s, 53.5 for the metric equivalents) were quite exceptional. Rather ironically Pinkney’s strongest event was the long jump, the one event he did not break a record at the sports. Pinkney had however jumped 21ft 3in (6.45m) earlier in the season, this record lasted until 1980 and even now has only been bettered by 35cm (D. Dykes 6.80m, 2008)

Pinkney, P.E. Rhodes (1934-1939) and A.L. Evans (Shirley 1934-1940) were all excellent sportsmen. Pinkney and Evans both went on to gain international rugby caps, the former also played for The Rest at cricket and gained Cambridge Blues at Cricket and rugby.

100 yards
1 - J.S. Pinkney, 2 - P.E. Rhodes, 3 - P.L.S. Griffiths
10.2s - equals schools record

220 yards
1 - J.S. Pinkney, 2 - P.E. Rhodes, 3 - L.A. Stredwick
23.0s - new school record

440 yards
1 - J.S. Pinkney, 2 - A.R. Hill, 3 - A.M. Harvey
53.8s - new school record

880 yards
1 - C.C. Rees, 2 - J.R.M. Tomkins, 3 - H.H. Monks
2m 09.8s

Mile
1 - J.R.M. Tomkins, 2 - C.C. Rees, 3 - P.K. Harrison
4m 52.9s

120 yards hurdles
1 - A. Stredwick, 2 - D.C.C. Wakefield, 3 - D.D. Forbes
16.0s (new school record)

Long jump
1 - J.S. Pinkney, 2 - A.L. Evans, 3 - J.S. Ingham
20ft 6in

High jump
1 - E.R. Bangor-Jones, 2 - G.P. Carmichael, 3 - P.E. Rhodes
5ft 3in

Cricket ball throw
1 - J.B.C. Teale, 2 - G.J. Cripps, 3 - P.E. Rhodes
97y 2in

Mile relay (1 x 440 yards, 4 x 220 yards, 1 x 440 yards)
1 - School House, 2 - Shirley
3m 30.2s

Senior victor ludorem
J.S. Pinkney (Shirley)

Sports flag
Shirley

Worksop College has produced a whole host of top class cricketers over the last 114 years of its existence. I reckon the team below would surely be unbeatable!

S.R. Patel (Talbot 1998-2003) - Nottinghamshire, England
A Parkin-Coates (Mason 1998-2001) - Nottinghamshire, England Schools
P.J. Sharpe (Shirley 1950-1955) - Yorkshire, England
T. Ullyott (Portland 2002-2007) - England Schools
S. Corlett (Portland 1963-1968) - Oxford University, Ireland
A.J. Good (Portland 1966-1971) - Lancashire
R. Wilkinson (Talbot 1993-1996) - Yorkshire, England Schools
A.L. Evans (Shirley 1934-1940) - Cambridge University, England
H. Watson-Smith (Mountgarret 1899-1901) - Warwickshire
R.A. Kettleborough (Portland 1986-1990) - Yorkshire and Middlesex

Boxing was a popular sport at English public schools until the early 1970s when it was outlawed due to its rather barbaric nature. Boxing gloves in those days were filled with horse hair and no doubt a great deal of nasty injuries were inflicted.

The photograph below shows the Worksop College boxing team that competed at England Public Schools Championships that were held in Aldershot in 1911. J.W.F. McNaught-Davis (Mason/Cross 1904-1912) gained the College’s first Blue in 1913 when representing Cambridge.

Left to right - G.F.G. Rees (Mason/Cross & Pelham/Fluer de Leys 1905-1913), J.W.F. McNaught-Davis (Mason/Cross 1904-1912, C.L.J Rees (Pelham/Fluer de Leys 1905-1911).

Worksop College beat Worksop RUFC 16-12 on the school field here today in a cheerfully excellent match of carefree open Rugby Union football. The match was to ce1ebrate the school’s diamond jubilee, and the two teams were strengthened by international, university and county players. The school side Included eight such players among them J. Butterfield, who is on the staff.

What was of special interest in the match was the way in which the school and club players combined with their more august colleagues. Here the school did particularly well, but not only did the boys respond superbly to their seniors’ promptings but those promptings themselves could hardly have been less selfish or more helpful. The club side’s guest players tried just as hard and except at stand-off half were only slightly less effective. They were, however, not nearly so efficiently supported. The difference proved crucial.

If the seven boys who played in this match, indeed, were fair samples of the first fifteen, then the Worksop school side must be a good one, one boy however played with distinction. He was Grieve, the school stand-off half. He has excellent hands which so sensibly, and alone of the 30 players he kept warm and dry from the misty drizzle with mittens. He passed well with the proper, contrary body swerve which enabled turn to draw first-class players early. He had an eye like a hawk for an opening, a quick cut or swerve to go through it. He was a splendid and surprisingly shrewd and tactical kicker, had command of most of the variations, and was as alert in cover as in support.

Grieve timed his passes to King and Butterfield beautifully, performed a flicked reverse pass scissors with King as if 1he had played with him all his life, flicked two unexpected inside passes to his win forward with the coolness of a veteran, and parried rushes from the line-out without a trace of flurry. He made a clear-cut opening for King’s try and scored the school’s last deciding try himself by racing outside Emmens, who had cut inside powerfully after a short, quickly taken line-out and had the width to pass out again. Grieve, indeed, was delightful to watch and played Winn, his opposite, out of the game.

As if Grieve were not enough the school has a remarkably thrustful fast wing forward. For all his short stocky stature and mere 16 years in Emmens. He sticks at nothing and expects to score from every outside edge. And score the plucky boy did. He beat his man and shook off the full-back after Butterfield had given him his first edge, and when Butterfield next swerved wide to the left, Emmens whipped behind and inside him and scored without a hand being laid upon him.

Finally in attack the school had in Metcalfe a reserve scrum half who made one wonder how good the regular one is. Metcalfe has only a short pass, but it is extremely quick and accurate. Forward the school had two particularly solid hardworking locks, whose backs were straight in the tight and who must in all conscience have shoved hard and well only because Thomson for the most part leaned and neither Sumrie nor Mitchell overworked themselves. Nazir’s quality was that he survived in the front row in the company of Mullen, Porisse, Berridge, Labuschagne and Jacobs. And survive firmly to the end he did. At fullback, Kidd tackled bravely and kicked fairly well. He has a deal yet to learn about positioning and above all must learn to go down on the ball.
Two things were clear from the start - both sides first aim was to play open, fast, attractive football and none of the visitors had the slightest intention of injuring each other or any of the boys. The game thus lacked only in controlled ruthlessness. The opportunities for clever combined running were the greater and the school side provided it generously. That the club side by comparison failed to do so was because Winn had a nightmare match at stand-off half. He ballooned passes over his centres’ shoulders and into their faces, hurled the ball impossibly at their feet and once, indeed, achieved a leg break. Hosen and Hopper thus had limited chances. Neither gassed consistently well in any event and when they did too often a wing or last man dropped the ball. Thus, while each of the school’s four tries, two of which King converted came from consciously designed and cleverly executed movements only two of the  club’s tries were similarly ordered.

Worksop College XV
J.M. Kidd (Worksop College), M.H. Holliday (Bradford), L King (Harrogate), J. Butterfield (Northampton), N.J. Emmens (Worksop College), A.T.W. Grieve (Worksop College), D.M. Metcalfe (Worksop College), R. Nazir (Worksop College), K Mullen (Derby), R. Porisse (Sale),  J.P Richardson (Worksop College), D.R. Wilson (Worksop College), G. Mitchell (Wilmslow), R.V. Thompson (Sale), R.M. Sumrie (Headingly)

Worksop RUFC XV
D.J. Turner, H Heaketh, R Howell (Loughborough College), D.J. Hopper (Harrogate), R. Gibson, R.R. Winn (Northampton), R.W. Adams, M. Berridge (Northampton), N.A. Labusechagne (King’s Hospital), C.R. Jacobs (Northampton), M.W. Horrocks, I.J. Salway, V. Bowles, E. Warner (Nottingham), M. Barross

Referee: C.R.W. Francis

Back row - Bagley, Lewis, Davies, Woodward, Adkins, Holmes, Butterfield
Middle row - Evans, Wilkins, Hall (capt), Kendall-Carpenter, White, Stirling
Front row  - Shuttleworth, Regan

During the early years of Cuthberts college the main games were association football, cricket and cross country runs, the latter was also enjoyed (really?!) by members of the teaching staff. After the building of the outdoor swimming pool in the late 1890s swimming was partaken, as was fives. Soccer matches were enjoyed against local teams in these early years and as with cricket, the inclusion of staff bolstered their ranks. Staff of particular note at this time were the Rev F.B. Hawkins, the Rev C. de Labat and Mr T. Hedworth - all excellent cricketers and soccer players who traveled to Mansfield in their spare time to partake in Rugby, a game that would not find its way to Worksop for another 25 years. With regards to pupils at this time R.H. Palmer (Fleur de Leys 1895-1899) was the main exponent, he was head boy twice in the late 1800’s, and was “a stalwart full back” and a useful member of the cricket team. Palmer also set the first school 100yds record of 10.4. R.V. Patrick (Crown 1899-1906), who was captain of the College football XI for three years, is described as “one of the best soccer players the school has ever turned out”.

As the years passed the College became stronger and better opposition was sought. Mount St Mary’s, Trent College and Denstone began to figure as rivals. In 1911 a cross-country match against KES Sheffield was organised and in the same year boxing was first mentioned. With regard to the latter, in 1913 the college had its first Blue in the form of J.W.F. McN Davis (Cross 1904-1912) gaining his for Cambridge in 1913 and in 1914 W.J. Armstrong (Mason 1911-1914) won the bantam weight title at the Public Schools Competition held at Aldershot. In 1912 J. Tasker (Cross 1899-1904) was playing first class Cricket for Yorkshire and H. Watson-Smith (Lion 1899-1901) was keeping wicket for Warwickshire.

Worksop College is most fortunate in that over the last 100 years or so athletics performances have been recorded very diligently. As a result, not only are athletics records available, but also previous records.

W.B. Thompson (Mountgarret 1949-1954) was the first National calibre athlete from Worksop, he won the College’s first National title (over 200 yards low hurdles in 1954), closely followed by P.R. Brunyee (Talbot 1952-1956) winning two All England Schools titles in 1955 and 1956 both over the high hurdles. In 1975 M.P. Hay (Mountgarret 1968-1973) became the College’s first full international when he represented GB at the decathlon. The Buckner brothers still remain the College’s only Olympians, Jack represented GB at Seoul and Barcelona over 5000m and Tom at the 3000m steeplechase in Barcelona. Other internationals include S.D. Heggie (Portland 1989-1994), S.T. Lewis (Shirley 1988-1993) and B.Foster (Portland 1970-1975). Most recently M.Lambley (Shirley) has become a real force to be reckoned with on the British hammer throwing scene - his 2009 best of 68.98m was good enough to ensure selection for the European Under 23 Championships.

1993 is certainly a stand-out year. A school athletics team that can boast a B-string 100m/200m runner at 10.70/21.95 is quite mind boggling, Mr Alex Simpson is very unfortunate not to hold a College records in the 100m/200m/long jump! Some other names that warrant a mention:

• P.S. Southcott’s 1948 100y time of 10s that was never bettered until we went metric in 1973.
• J.S. Pinkney whom set 3 x College records at the 1937 Sports (10.2 - 100y, 23 - 220y & 53.8 - 440y), his long jump record (set earlier in the season) lasted until 1980. Pinkney also played rugby for England and was regarded as one of England’s best schoolboy centres/wings of the late 30s.
• J.D. Bray - won the England Public Schools 100m/long jump (10.88/6.70) in 1986 and only recently lost his long jump record to D. Dykes (6.80)
• J.K. Gibson - half an inch off 6ft for the high jump in 1961 when in the lower VIth. Was also close to Pinkney’s long jump record (“and what a good record that is”).
• M.R. Woodcock, D.M.W. Griffiths, D.J. Reason - from the highly successful athletics teams of the late 50s and early 60s. All members of the Rosslyn Park sevens team that finished runners-up to Edinburgh Academy in 1960. Woodcock ran 50.30/1:56 for the 440y/880y, Griffiths 4:23/1:58 for the mile/880y and Reason 22.6 for the 220y. The latter played England Public Schools rugby.
• R.E. Randle - sadly killed in a road accident in the early 60s, Randle at the same match in 1963 missed the 100y and 220y records by a tenth each (10.1/22.7). Also held the College decathlon record pre-metric. Played England Public Schools rugby.

1941 and 1942 produced two more phenomenal rugby teams at the College - both which remained unbeaten. The latter was voted the best schoolboy team in England (an honour shared with Bedford School). The 1941 XV, captained by H.D. Jennison scored a whopping 389 points against only 12 and was noted for its back division of N.M. Hall (Shirley 1936-1943), J.B. Millar (Mason 1937-1942), P. Carmichael (Pelham 1937-1941) and E.R. Holliday (Talbot 1936-1943). During the course of the season Trent and Mount St Mary’s were heavily defeated; Ampleforth 6-3, Denstone 17-3, St Peters York 28-0 and most impressively the mighty Sedbergh were walloped 30-0. Tragically Jennison, T.A.S. Anderson (Pelham 1934-1942) and Millar died in 1944 in Normandy at the battle of Falaise Gap, where they were all tank commanders. On a happier note Hall who captained the 1942 XV, who was first mentioned in a trial game for Prep in 1936 went on captain England 17 times and is still regarded as being one of the finest kickers of a ball the game has ever seen.

Worksop’s runaway victory (taken from The Guardian 1941)
‘Worksop College overwhelmed Mount St Mary’s College at home and won as they pleased by nine goals, one penalty goal and five tries to nothing. P. Carmichael, E.P. Clark and J.B. Millar combined outstandingly well for Worksop, and were well fed by N.M. Hall who also converted the five tries and kicked the penalty goal. Forward H.D. Jennison was outstanding, while G.S. Joss and J.W. Phillips also played very well in a good pack. Worksop are developing into a strong, fast and battling side.’

Back row (left to right) - R.V. Thompson, E.R. Holliday, J.M. Taylor, T.B.Greenwood, C.H. Ewart, W.G. Briggs
Middle row (left to right) - P.J. Walker, E. Hall, C.S. Harden Esq, G.S. Joss, D.F. Bachelor
Front row left to right) - P. Carmichael, T.A.S. Anderson, H.D. Jennison (Captain), N.M. Hall, J.B. Millar

- R.V. Thompson - Represented England in 1947 at Twikenham.
- H.D. Jennison - Played for the English Public Schools team in 1941. Had he not been killed in WWII, would have probably gone on to play for England.
- N.M. Hall went on to captain England a then record 17 times.

In 1976, a 14 year old lad from Worksop College in North Nottinghamshire qualified for the final of the 1500m at the English Schools Championships, he finished in 5th place, setting a new school record of 4:16.90 in the process (a record that still stands). Ten years later a certain Jack Buckner from Charnwood AC would win the European Championships at 5000m title in a time that has never been beaten.

Whilst at Worksop, Jack unsuprisingly set (and still holds) all 6 of the school distance athletics records, the best of which is his senior boys 1500m record of 3:45.5, which should last the test of time. Other records include a not too shabby intermediate (under 17) boys 1500m record of 3:57.4 and a sub 1:50 senior boys 800m clocking both achieved in 1980.

As a junior in 1980 Jack won the National Junior Championships at 1500 metres (3:50.94). In the same year he clocked an agonizing 4:02.90 for the mile, a mere 3 seconds off every young runners dream - a sub-4 minute clocking, something Roger Bannister had done for the first time only 24 years earlier. In 1980 Jack moved to Loughborough University where he read geography. Whilst at Loughbourgh, Jack achieved relatively little (winning the BUSA 800m title in 1981), however it was when he left university, he started achieving what he had promised as a junior.

During the 1980’s Britain produced a whole host of quality middle and long distance athletes. Ask anyone who they remember from this period and almost certainly they will recall Steve Cram, Seb Coe and Steve Ovett, and for the longer distances, perhaps Dave Moorcroft. One athlete who remains relatively unknown is our man Jack. During his running career Jack won the European Championships, collected silver in the Commonwealth Games in 1986 and in 1987 finished 3rd at the World Championships. He also had the honour of not only being ranked number 2 in the world in 1986 and 1987, but also of being the fastest 5000 metre runner in both Europe and the Commonwealth.

As a younger runner, Buckner concentrated on the 1500m, a distance at which there was considerable competition at this time. It was during the mid 1980’s that he moved on to the longer distances (despite his lack of recognition Buckner’s times would rank him easily amongst the best British 1500m runners over the last 10 years). His real breakthrough came when he ran a 3000m race in Oslo, Norway 1986, where he elevated himself to 4th in the UK all-time list.

Deciding that the longer distances suited him better, Jack decided to concentrate on the 5000 metres (the 3000m is not a competitive event at major championships). The 1986 Commonwealth Games, held in Edinburgh was his first competitive 5000m race and he finished in silver medal position, behind fellow team-mate Steve Ovett, in a not outstanding, (but not bad first attempt!) of 13.25.87. The 1986 European Championships were next and ‘the ill fancied Buckner’ went onto win in a championship best time (13:10.15) which still stands. A rare excursion over the 1500m indoors pushed jack to the top of the 1987 UK indoor rankings with 3:44.64. As the previous year, Buckner was ranked as second in the IAAF world rankings in 1987 and a bronze medal in the World Championships (13:27.74) emphasised this position. Despite being injured for the majority of the 1988 season Jack finished a brave 6th at the Seoul Olympic Games.

After 1988 Buckner was plagued with injury and it wasn’t until 1990 that he returned to the circuit. He qualified for the Commonwealth Games final in 1990, but suffered a bad fall and finished in a lowly 12th place. This seemed to mark the end of his career in competitive athletics, until in 1992 when he ran close to his personal best (13:10.47) in the 5000m and won the AAA title in 13:22.50. Jack went on to work for Adidas and then emigrated to New Zealand to concentrate on his apple farming career…

Jack’s brother Tom was also an international runner. He competed at all the major international championships, his best placing being 5th in the 3000m steeplechase at the 1994 Commonwealth Games. The Buckner’s were the first brothers for over fifty years to compete for Britain in the Olympic Games, with Jack competing in the 5000m and Tom in the 3000m steeplechase at Barcelona in 1992. It would also be interesting to find out how many brothers have both ran sub-4 minute miles, Jack being ranked 10th on the UKAT list (3:51.57) and Tom at 99th (3:58.87).

I went on a presentation and facilitation course the other week, for which we needed to (funnily enough!) do a talk on something we were interested in. I chose to talk about C.B. Fry who is my favourite all-round sportsman.
Download presentation (PowerPoint 2003)