Fifty Years of Progress 1880-1930

ATHLETICS IN THE ORTH Mr. H. Sherrington of Southport, moved that it was desirable to hold a Championship Meeting in the North of England, and that a Committee be formed of representatives of the Northern Counties then present to carry out this object. This was unanimously passed. Messrs. George Duxfield and Thomas Fairbrother were appointed Secretaries pro tem. The next Meeting of the newly-formed Committee was fixed to take place at Crewe on July 5th, I 879. The Meeting was subsequently held at Crewe, and the main business was to form a Sub-Committee and draw up a list of rules and regulations. On August 5th, I 879, the Committee met at Stoke-on-Trent, when it was decided that the Association should be formed and styled "The Northern Counties Athletic Association," comprising the following Clubs: Widnes A.C. ; Stoke Victoria A.C. ; Leeds A.C. ; Ilkley A.C. ; Bingley A.C. ; Huddersfield C. & A.C. ; East Lanes. C.C. ; Bradford A.C.; Preston A.C.; Southport A.S.; St. Helens C.C.; Sutton C.C.; Crewe Alexandra A.C. The draft rules were submitted by the Sub-Committee and approved, and the Annual Subscription was fixed at £1 Is. od. The definition of" Amateur Athlete" was discussed at a meeting held in Manchester, on November 18th, 1879, and the following definition was accepted:- " Any person who has never competed in any open competition, or for public money, or for admission money, or with professionals for a prize, public money or admission money, and who has never at any period of his life taught or assisted in the pursuit of Athletics as a means of livelihood." Rules for the general management of Athletic Meetings were drawn up, most of which are in force at the present day. Special entry forms were drafted which required the competitor to furnish particulars of his three latest performances. Penalties for starting before the pistol were fixed ; hurdle heights and distances were arranged, and many other matters duly determined for the guidance of Judges, Umpires and Marksmen. It was resolved that prizes must be full advertised value, and that no entry be accepted unless accompanied by the stipulated fee. At this Meeting the first recorded case of misdemeanour was dealt with, and the culprit was debarred from competing at any meetings held by the Associated Clubs. The First Balance Sheet, dated January 3rst, r 880, showed a balance in hand of£9 3s. 6d., with twelve Clubs in Membership. It was decided to hold a Championship Meeting at Southport in August, I 880, prizes in the form of medals for the first and second to finish in each event, to the total value of £200, to be given. The events were to include :-