Jack is a club stalwart and will always be found on training nights at Sportcity. He has been the financial brains behind the club for many years. He is a long term and valued member of the clubs Executive Committee. Jack was for a long time the team manager for our Northern League teams as well as a respected team manager for the young athlete’s league and junior league teams before they became the YDL teams. His influence is also felt within both the senior men and women’s team management structure where his advice and wise advocacy is often sought.  He was the worthy recipient of the 2017 Frank Starkie Memorial Cup awarded by BATL (The British Association of Track and Field Leagues).

Coaching Achievements

• Helped to develop Phil McDonnell to a high jump PB of 2.24m and would have gone to the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics had his Oxbridge exams not taken priority.
• Assisted Adrian Ord and Chris Hesketh to become 2.10cms high jumpers and internationals.
• Supported Matthew Owens to leap 2.14cms and qualify for the World Juniors Final.
• Nurtured Darren Hammond to win AAA and English Schools titles, plus representing GB in the European Youth Olympics in Italy. As a 16 year old, he was ranked 8th in the world U18 age group.
• Coached U20 Seun Okome to a brilliant 2014 season where he high-jumped 2.12m.
• Helped several pole-vaulters to clear the remarkable height of 5 meters: -
  • (a) Andy Ashurst who took gold at the Commonwealth Games in 1986 (5.30m), and went to the 1988 Seoul and 1992 Barcelona Olympics. His PB of 5.45m was a club record for more than 20 years
  • (b) Matt Belsham, part of Sale Harriers golden years of pole vaulters in the 80s and 90s and selected for England in the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games
  • (c) Duncan Pearce (5.00m), Andy Greig (5.20m), all following in the footsteps of John Parkinson, winner of the senior English schools title with a 4. 35m clearance.
  • (d) Ezekiel Rowe, who earned a school's international selection, and Greg Appleby awarded a bronze in the 2014 EA U17 championships.
  • (e) Matt Cullen who soared over 5 meters in 2013 and now is Sale's principal pole vault coach.

Athletic Background

Following a career in middle distance running, which included winning a bronze medal in the AAA's 10 mile championships behind Ron Hill, taking part in the first London Marathon in 1981, competing in many fell races including the Ben Nevis race, I turned my attentions to coaching in 1982. I needed a challenge in a technical event, and because there was a lack of jump coaches in the club, I chose that discipline. Sale Harriers was then based in Wythenshawe Park. I look back on those days as the club's best despite the brilliant facilities we enjoy at SportCity.

Coaching Philosophy

Although attaining coaching qualifications, I would never call myself a coach, but a nurturer, encourager, helper and facilitator, with the sole intention of developing athletes in attaining their full potential.