Aylsham boxing club 3.45

The Boxing Club was reinstated from an earlier club in mid 1985. A Divisional Youth and Community Officer, Vicki Cotton, approached Vic Hill (who at the time was coaching young boxers at the Norwich Lads Club) with an old box of boxing gloves etc. which had been found in the depths of the Aylsham Youth Club. She asked Vic Hill if he would be interested in arranging similar training sessions for Aylsham and district youngsters, who were keen on the sport and thankfully he agreed to.

In February 1986 the ‘Aylsham Boxers Supporters Group’ was formed. The Officers and Committee members set about raising funds to purchase a portable boxing ring and other necessities. Administration was in the capable hands of Jean Hill, as secretary and Sally Needle as treasurer.Aylsham Boxing Club

There then followed successful fund raising, which included such events as jumble sales, cake and plant stalls, Cornish Pastie stalls and ‘Ploughmans Lunches etc. In response to appeals, various individuals, authorities, organisations and trusts gave their help and the eagerly awaited ‘ring’ was finally delivered in January 1987.

Our first ‘shirt’ sponsor was Eric Pooley (builders) who continues to support our club.

Our popular Dinner shows and open tournaments soon began, which supplied us with some of our first serious income, enabling us to continue to become the club we are today.

Even prior to the inauguration of the ‘Supporters Group’, some of the new boxing club members had proved their ability to compete in boxing tournaments. With the assistance of Ron Etheridge of ‘Stalham and Walsham Boxing Club’, two Aylsham boxers were able to obtain medical cards and were registered to compete under the flag of ‘Stalham and Walsham’, until the Aylsham Boxing Club was affiliated to the Amateur Boxing Association. In November 1985, at Northrepps Country Club, the first two Aylsham boxers compete as ‘juniors’. In the next twenty five years Aylsham was to see a great many more Aylsham boys ably competing in boxing competitions.

Affiliation to the ‘Norfolk Division Eastern Counties Amateur Boxing Association’ was graned unanimously by the Executive Committee on the second of June 1987.