Future is bright for Vauxhall

Jun 11 2003 Christopher Beesley, Ellesmere Port Pioneer

The 2002/03 season was another vintage year for the Vauxhall Motors ABC as they celebrated their second senior ABA title, several junior crowns and the emergence of a host of new young boxers. Head coach Peter Phelan has taken time out from the gym to talk to sports editor CHRISTOPHER BEESLEY.

THE development of some of the club's rising stars has been one of the most pleasing aspects of the campaign for Phelan and he is delighted by the progress of many of his youngsters.

He said: 'Buster Exell burst on to the scene and was a real high point. He went as far as he was allowed in the Schoolboy Championships while also tasting glory in the inaugural Bolton Box Cup.

'Gary Spark started the season unboxed but he put in a great performance in his first contest only to lose to a more experienced lad then run out a good winner second time out.

'Paul Butler produced some smashing displays this year and emerged from his loss to Cosgrove to win at the Bolton Box Cup where Martin Jones was also a gold medallist.

'There was disappointment for Matty Fagan, who could have been a Schoolboy Champion, and it was a real shame that he failed to make the weigh-in at the semi-finals, but he has bounced back since then and learned from his mistake.'

Vauxhall's move to a hi-tech gym on Station Road, Little Sutton, two years ago helped their already-prospering youth section expand further.

Phelan said: 'Not only do we have a top-class facility of our own near the town, it is also close to railway links and bus routes as we have lots of kids from the likes of Birkenhead and Wallasey now training with us.

'The youngsters are the lifeblood of the club and we have plenty of talent coming through with our novice section really thriving.'

One prime example of the non-Ellesmere Port talents who have been attracted to the club is recently crowned ABA Champion Nick MacDonald, who lives in Moreton.

This year, Nick, the most decorated boxer from Wirral in over 100 years of organised competition, followed his prolific schoolboy and junior successes with his first senior title.

Phelan said: 'As a coach, you're always wary whether an outstanding junior boxer can make it as a senior, but Nick is continuing to progress.

'At the moment he has still got things to learn, but he knows that, and as long as he can keep his feet on the ground, then he has got a big future ahead of him.'

Phelan is also pleased with the development of some of his other fledglings, who have successfully made the jump from schoolboy to junior status.

He said: 'Danny Duffy had another good year and he was unfortunate to go out to the boy Grimes in the West Lancs/Cheshire final and could have gone a bit further, while Mike Kelly had a terrific run and performed well in the National Juniors.'

Despite the youngsters grabbing the limelight, Vauxhall also has a senior section which is slowly growing.

Phelan said: 'Alan Thomson made it to a national semi-final but suffered his only loss of the season, while we also had the emergence of our super-heavyweight Matty Pollard. At 105 kilos, he's a strapping lad but in some ways it's harder for the older boxers to adapt. However, Matty stuck to what we told him and proved to be a unanimous points winner.'

Looking forward to next season, Phelan is excited about the prospect of more talent coming to the fore.

He said: 'We have so many youngsters who are showing promise I am 100% sure that it's only a matter of time before we see them showing off their skills in the ring.

'I've got a dedicated team of coaches here, including Bernie Hart, Richie Pope, John Kennedy, John Smurthwaite and George Treble, and they all work hard to help the lads.

'The Vauxhall name has become synonymous with quality and people know that we put on a good show.

'Next season we've been asked back by the West Derby Rotary Club and have been approached by Formby Golf Club. The Peacock ABC from London are hoping to come up here before Christmas while we have an invite to Scotland for 2004.'