Cumberland wrestling round-up

By Roger Robson

Alan Jones with his Allendale Show title in 2007

Carlisle Wrestling Club's hat-trick of victories at the recent points night demonstrated the strength in depth within the members at the current time.

That success was a testament to the coaching skills of the three Carlisle coaches, who each come from a different generation of wrestlers.

Tom Harrington MBE in his sixties, Alan Jones in his forties, and the baby and current 10.5st champion, Andrew Carlile, still in his twenties.

Each, individually, is an excellent coach of the techniques and subtleties of the local wrestling style, and they work so well and naturally together.

Of the three, Alan Jones is the one who takes on most of the responsibilities, collecting subs, organising special nights for Young Farmers, locking up after the wrestlers leave.

He actively keeps fit at classes in Brampton, and even aged 47 he still competes at few summer events.

In 2007 he rolled back the years to win the 14st Championship at Allendale Show, his 38th championship in a career spanning 30 years.

Obviously, he has gained a lot out of wrestling, and was single-minded and self-focused in his pursuit of wrestling success. Now he is repaying that debt in a big way.

He has taken on his shoulders four different ways of supporting the sport he loves.

Each Wednesday he will continue to coach wrestlers at the Carlisle Wrestling Club sessions in the Gym at Currock House.

He will also be one of the main coaches for wrestlers preparing for the IFCW European Championships at Sunday sessions and on an ad hoc basis he will train Young Farmers to compete in their Field Day.

Finally from Tuesday, 24 February, he will be coaching young wrestlers each week at 1900 GMT at William Howard School.

Such dedication and flair must be commended and supported.

If anyone could offer help at the William Howard sessions each Tuesday, Alan would be pleased, not to say relieved.

The first training session for the European Championships will take place on Sunday at Currock House. Originally, the Carlisle wrestlers were going to travel over to Rothbury, the Northumbrian town where floods, ice, gas and electricity cuts are regarded as normal life, but the school was unavailable. Instead, Andrew Carlile, Alan Jones, a crash mat and a pile of Gouren jackets await from 1400 to 1600 GMT in the Currock House Gym.

Other Dates:

Wednesday, 11 February, 1945 GMT
Carlisle Wrestling Club Junior Points Night
The Gym, Currock House.

Wednesday 18 February, 2100 GMT
Carlisle Wrestling Club Senior Points, Currock House.