ONE of the most respected athletics coaches in Kent, Derek Horohan, of Medway and Maidstone AC, has died following a long illness. He was 59.

Derek followed his son, Greg, into the sport more than 25 years ago and made a significant contribution to the success of Maidstone based Elliotts AC and GEC Avionics before the subsequent amalgamation with Medway AC a few years ago.

Spencer Barden was probably the best-known athlete coached by Derek for over 12 years from showing considerable promise as a youth to representing Great Britain senior teams on numerous occasions.

Barden credits Derek with guiding him to his first UK senior track titles in the 1990s, following appearances in the World Junior 5000m final with Haile Gebresalassie and the World Junior Cross Country Championships of 1992.

Spencer commented: "Derek was one of the best motivators I have ever met. He could always be relied upon no matter what the weather and his voice was so distinctive when he shouted encouragement.

"Technically, Derek was highly knowledgeable and his sessions were always meticulously planned and methodically delivered. He took me to an English School’s cross country title when I was 14 years old and was still advising me 12 years later when I was an international senior athlete."

Derek's favourite training venues included Mote Park, Larkfield, Deangate and in the early days, Vinters Park, Maidstone.

Jenni Pereira, who achieved her first senior international vest earlier this year, said: "Derek was an extremely supportive coach who dedicated himself to his sport and the success of his athletes.

"In the early days of my athletics career, Derek’s love of athletics and his constant encouragement helped me to work hard and I soon developed that same enthusiasm for the sport.

"I can still see his smiling face when he took us to Birmingham to compete at the Nationals for the first time as a relatively young and inexperienced under 13 squad (myself plus Kate and Hannah Buchan).

"His excitement and encouragement out on the course helped us to claim an unexpected bronze medal. He was so proud and had the biggest smile on his face. He will be very sadly missed by so many and Mote Park on a Sunday morning or the pavements of Larkfield on a winters evening will never be quite the same."

FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK'S KENT MESSENGER AND MEDWAY MESSENGER.