Saturday April 18th marked a very proud day for the Harriers. It was the day that our Club President – George Kirby – had the new Stand at Witton Park Arena named after him at a naming ceremony attended by the Mayor, some of George’s family and athletes past and present from the Club.
When the track was first opened in 1958 there followed a twenty year period during the course of which the Council backed the Harriers and particularly our current President George Kirby in the holding of national and international events at Witton as well as huge invitation events which brought the crowds in to see the likes of Derek Ibbotson (the world mile record holder) and Olympic Champions Lynn Davies, Seb Coe and Steve Ovett to Witton Park. In 1994 Paula Radcliffe won a national championship over the country at Witton and had wished us well for our centenary event held in 2010 at Ewood Park Football Ground.
(Club Chairman – Mr Tony Wood – congratulating George)
Tony Wood – the Club Chairman – paid tribute to the role that George had played in the development of athletics, not only at Blackburn Harriers, but in the wider community for over 60 years which has been a remarkable contribution.
It is fitting that George’s contribution to athletics not only at the Harriers but as a National Coach and National Official, to education in the Borough as a Teacher – and – numerous other community activities, has been recognised by the Local Authority as well as many in the community and in the world of athletics generally.
(The Mayor – Mr Alan Cottam – congratulating George)
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