EXCLUSIVE

by Jenni Horn

A boxing club which spawned former world champion Johnny Armour and top heavyweight Tom Dallas may have to throw in the towel.

St Mary's Amateur Boxing Club in Chatham, one of the oldest clubs in the county, is at risk of closure after its premises was put up for sale.

Former Commonwealth, European and WBU bantamweight champion Johnny Armour (pictured left) said it would be a "great shame" if the club shut.

The premises will be going under the hammer at auction on Monday, July 25, as part of the sale involving several commercial units in Street End Road.

St Mary's has been at the site for more than 50 years. It has previously rented the property for a peppercorn rent of just £26 a year, but following the death of its landlady, the future of the club is in doubt.

Club secretary and head coach Dave Bowler said: "We are very worried. We don't know who is going to buy it and if they will let us stay. If the new owners put the rent up, we wouldn't be able to afford it, and we can't afford to go anywhere else."

St Mary's most famous son is Armour who reigned the WBU bantamweight division for three years. He trained at the club from the age of 10 until he signed a professional contract aged 21.

He said: "It would be a great shame if the club had to close. A lot of people would feel the same as me. It has been there such a long time and a lot of people will have fond memories of it.

"It is a blinding club, I don't think you will ever get a club as good as St Mary's in Medway. I couldn't have done anything I have done in my career without the start I was given at that club."

Top boxing referee Ian John-Lewis (pictured below) is also a former St Mary's fighter. He was a British welterweight title contender before his pro career was cut short.

He said: "The number of successful fighters which have come out of St Mary's is unbelievable. And it's not just that, it's the number of people the club has kept on the straight and narrow and kept out of trouble.

"Without a doubt I owe my success to St Mary's. The experience I gained as an amateur and a professional boxer still goes into the ring with me now when I referee.

"Boxing is thriving in Medway and it will be a huge blow if the club has to shut. Other clubs haven't got the history St Mary's has. Hopefully whoever buys the premises will allow the club to stay there, if they don't it will be a real shame."

Mr Bowler said he only found out the club was up for sale during a fundraising collection in Gillingham on Sunday - just 14 days before the auction.

He said: "Someone came up to me and said 'I hear you're going to have new owners'. It was a bombshell.

"We have more than 60 members and we help keep kids off the streets. The kids will be devastated if we have to close.

"We are the oldest club in Kent and one of the best. We have produced more champions that any other club in Medway, even in Kent. We have a fantastic reputation."

Mr Bowler runs the club with his wife Jayne and fellow coach Warren Simmons.

He added: "My wife spent nearly all night sending emails to people, such as councillors and people from the world of boxing, to see if they can help.

"We'll be meeting up with all parents and members next week and we will be starting a petition. We don't know what's going to happen yet but if we have to fight to stay open, we want to be ready."

Do you have memories of the club? Leave your comments below.