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The gym, at the entrance to the site of the old athletic stadium, in Judge Heath Lane, Hayes, was packed to capacity, with many local councillors and other civic dignitaries in attendance, including of course, Hayes ABC trainers, boxers and Committee members, and those who were there by personal invitation.
The club's Hon. Secretary, Alan South welcomed the Mayor into the ring to get proceedings underway.
The Mayor spoke well of the distinguished history of the club, and of how it was so important for youngsters to be enabled to get aggression out of their system with just such a facility as this, which he said matched anything that he had had the privilege of opening.
At the conclusion of his speech, he welcomed John Conteh into the ring with the sentiment that he had "never anticipated sharing the same ring with a world champion!"
John said that he had emerged from the tough back streets of Kirby, in Liverpool as a ten-year old, to join the local boxing club there. He agreed wholeheartedly with the Mayor on the importance of a facility such as this and how it would encourage local youngsters to get off the street corners and get involved --- that this is where future champions could be nurtured.
He said that he had been a great friend of the late Chris Finnegan and was sorry
that Chris could not be there on this terrific occasion for the club.
After a witty and eloquent speech, he handed over, after hearty applause, to Hayes ABC's Chairman, Mr Arthur Clements, who thanked the councillors and staff at Hillingdon Borough Council, especially Bill King, Jim Cameron and Steph Costa, from the Major Construction Projects Team, who have been instrumental in providing this tremendous facility, that has become our new home.
He also spoke of the great debt owed to Fred Brown and Dave Currivan, the club's two long-standing coaches -- he said that they were at the club three nights a week, but that it did not stop there -- on the other nights they were either out with the boxers at shows, or were observing the boxers at other clubs who were likely to be matched with their charges in future contests.
He also paid tribute to the Hillingdon Trust, for their generous grant of £15,000 to
the club, and to our sponsor, Mr Eddie Howes, the owner of the Quickseal glass and
glazing company, of West Drayton, who has been very generous with money and
equipment for the new gym.
He mentioned that the club's most famous sons, Kevin and Chris Finnegan, who sadly, both passed away very recently, were sorely missed, especially on this auspicious occasion and that Chris, who was our President, would have been so proud to have been involved at this opening ceremony.
Before handing over to the Mayor and John Conteh to cut the ribbon, officially declaring the club open, he said that, above all, the person who had to be remembered on this occasion, was the club's founder member, trainer and mentor, Dickie Gunn, who trained so many boxers to become champions. These included, of course, the aforementioned Chris Finnegan, who represented his club and country when he won the Olympic Middleweight gold medal at the Mexico Olympics in 1968.
He said that, after the cutting of the ribbon, there would be six junior exhibition bouts for the club's boxers to show their paces, followed by refreshments which were being provided by our very good friends from the Hayes Working Men's Club, who, he said had given such generous support to our club over the years, for which we cannot thank them enough.
And, finally, he thanked the Committee of Hayes ABC for all their hard work and
commitment, which has come to fruition with this marvellous facility.
The evening was a huge success, enjoyed by all, and the boxing club and its supporters and patrons are looking forward with great enthusiasm and hopes for the future success of the club.
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