Brewery boss leaves boxing legacy (From Elmbridge Guardian)

Wandsworth brewery boss leaves boxing legacy for Surrey club

10:00am Monday 17th May 2010 in News By Joe Finnerty

Foley Amateur Boxing Club chairman Lee Martin has revealed the late chairman of Wandsworth brewer Young’s is behind the club’s survival - nearly four years after his death.

The club has nurtured young talent for 40 years - including Martin’s father - but nearly collapsed after being evicted from the Foley Arms in Claygate, a venue they had been allowed to use rent free.

It was asked to vacate its converted barn home at the pub by landlords Young's, who now plan to redevelop the site into a hotel, and have only recently re-opened a new base at Weston Green Sports Club in Thames Ditton.

But the famous family brewers did not simply kick the club out onto the streets, and Martin reveals how the company has always played a vital role in the club’s past and future.

Former chief John Young died in 2006, aged 85, and Foley’s mere existence is a large part of his legacy.

“He boxed in the army, so was very supportive of amateur boxing and said that as long as he lived he wouldn't charge us a thing to use the gym,” said Martin.

“When we were asked to move we didn't think Young's owed us anything, but I took a budget of £75,000 to them with our plans and they came back with their figure of £46,000. They wanted us to prove we could raise some money ourselves.

“£35,000 of the money came out of their development budget. When Young died he left a charitable trust for projects that were close to his heart and we were given £11,000 for new equipment from that.

“Our backs were really against the wall, but people would not let the club die.”

Martin replaced long-standing former chairman Tommy Miller in September and is confident the future is bright for Foley ABC, earmarking three of the current crop of youngsters for success.

He believes the club is more than a boxing gym and is a haven for children that go off the rails, not that that was the reason for him to get involved in the sport in the first place.

“Foley has a real family history, my father boxed many years ago and was ABA junior champion in 1956,” he added.

“I had one fight for Epsom and Ewell and my brother had about 100 amateur fights, but I wasn't the best in the world so I decided pretty early on it wasn’t for me and to go into the administration side.

“Although we have had many champion fighters, it’s not all about the elite. It is as much about the other kids who come through the doors, teaching people respect for themselves and long term life skills.

“Jake Woods is very talented and then there's George Sheedy and Steve Ellis. If I had to pick three who had a good season then I would choose them.”