Dagenham Boxing Club – England
The 'Daggers' - as they are now known, were founded in 1950 (according to paper records). Originally in the grounds of the old school - now a 6th Form college we had a very promising start. The late Johnny Maloney was our 1st National ABA Champion in the season 1950/51 at Welter weight (67kg) winning by 2nd round stoppage against Anthony Bird (Army), then going on to a 2nd successive National Title triumph in the following season - 1951/52, beating Les Morgan (Rotax) where all 10 National Champions became Olympians in the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games (no medals were won). Both Titles came in front of packed Wembley Arena Crowds - very different to these days. In around 1979 we moved into the 'Old Boat House' in Wood Lane, on the Borough's boundary with Havering. It was another good move and the catchment seemed to attract lads from all over North East London and West Essex.
Unfortunately Johnny Maloney was the last Senior Title the club managed since those promising early days, but we've had a fair share of Youth, Junior and School Boy Titles though - perhaps most notably Kevin Mitchells capture of all four Schoolboy Titles (2 at Hornchurch) - the final Title being won on home soil at the Broadway Theatre, Barking in March 2001. Kevin went on to win virtually everything on offer - including a National Senior ABA Title at the age of just 18 years, when he switched for a final season at West Ham Boys ABC. It was still a magnificent win which Dagenham ABC are very much proudly associated with. Since Kevin's switch to the Professional World of boxing he has enjoyed continued success with a staggering 22 fights - unbeaten and a Commonwealth Title - still only 22 years!!! Younger brother Vinnie follows in the same footsteps.
Other big names for Dagenham include Bobby Ward - another multi-titled (Junior) and the last British boxer to hand defeat to Amir Khan as an amateur, and the Likes of James Cole (2 Titles), Dean Smith (3 times Finalist) and not forgetting the 'old boy' - Alan Southwick (Senior ABA Semi Finalist) - beaten only by Reptons Olympian Courtney Fry. More recently young Michael McCarthy - an ex Newham boxer, trained by father Gary, last season won Junior ABA, NACYP and 4 Nations Titles winning 20 fights in a row. He's one to watch, and is currently the 'Club Captain'.
Other notable names the club will never forget are Johnny Durrell Jnr (anyone seen him lately ?), former Junior and Schoolboy Champion trained by his father of the same name, Micky Foster - Schoolboy Champion 1977 (and 1978 with Barking) and England Rep. Graham Poulley - Schoolboy Champion 1971 & 1973 and England Rep. Jamie Godfrey – School Boy Champion 1975, 1976 & 1977. Danny Thompson - Schoolboy Champion 1975 (and Dagenham Coach 2002-2006). Ross Brain - Schoolboy Champion 1977 (and 1978 with Barking). Craig Cartlege & Orrie Jones - Schoolboy Champions 1979. Wayne George – Schoo Boy Champion 1983 (Brother Dean now one of our current crop of coaches). Robert Boorman – School Boy Champion 1989.
On the Coaching side of things the O'Sullivan brothers have been the backbone for the past 12 years or so. Danny took over as Chairman on the departure of top coach Mark Massow who joined the Para's after holding the club together for a few years. Danny, Sean & Brendon rarely work together but laid the foundations and structure of a well disciplined gym. Brendon heads up the Nursery group (known to most as the 'Winkles') with old club stalwart Keith Mills. Brendon also M.C's some of our local shows. Old Timer and Ex-Boxers Association member Billy 'The Ice Man' Graydon lends a hand once a week and has also become an integral part of the club set up (as well as our very own club mascot!). Sean had charge of the formidable 'Junior' squad from around 1995 until very recently. With a young family, Sean has taken a deserved break from the game - but vows to be back for more Champions once his kids have got to know him. Interestingly, Sean handled no fewer than 15 National Finalist's in those years and with an averages of more than 1 Champion per season (Kevin Mitchell was the best he ever worked with!). The reigns for the 'junior' squad are now held by another ex Dagenham Boxer Nicky Nunn, who has already started churning out Champions (Ronnie Legg - Golden Belt 2006), and several more in this year Golden Gloves. Dean George and Mick Hall work with Nicky in continuing the conveyer belt that is Dagenham Boxing Club.
Dan has always looked after the Seniors where we've enjoyed a mixed bag of success - having trouble finding that elusive Senior Champion. Having been Matchmaker/Chairman for 12 years and Hon. Secretary for most of that time the club enjoyed Novice Finalist's in Alan Southwick & Michael Lawrence but never managed any kind of National Title. Southwick was best he has worked with alongside Senior coaches Garry Strong, Mark Patrick and most recently - Jimmy Bush (previously with Hornchurch). Top Coach - Jack Lee and son Danny had a few years with us but the distance put paid to that last year, and Dan recently becoming a dad for the 1st time.
'Behind the Scenes' - for me, the most important part of the clubs existence. Dee O'Sullivan has handled the club book keeping for over 10 years (assisted by joint Treasurer - KP Mills). She makes sure that there's a healthy balance and also keeps on top of the 'Subs' and any other financial matters. Most will know Jim O'Sullivan - notorious with referees in the South East/London area. Jim was the long term matchmaker for the club in what i'd call the heydays. Although no longer an active committee member, Jim virtually built the current gym in the Heathway, Dagenham himself when we moved from the Old Boat House in 1991.Our new gym (not so new now) is a superb & massive facility, with 2 rings, 18 hanging bags, 2 speed balls, 2 floor-to-ceiling balls and free weights. The club has so much potential and we hope that Steve Harris - long time Hon. Secretary, now Club Chairman is the man to keep the momentum going. He must really clock up some miles on his old banged out BMW. Now living in Shoeburyness, Steve attends the gym no fewer than 4 times a week and he is now the business side of the club - obtaining vital funding and making all the necessary arrangements for shows, events etc. Wife Kay also does more than her fair share, and son Jamie is an emerging talent.
Our current Competition Secretaries (Matchmakers) are old boxing historian Eddie Bennett who now takes care of the Juniors, and Paul 'Afghan' Masterson who drives the Senior coaches mad whilst finding suitable opponents for our Senior boxers. Paul is also Dagenham's only Official who dons the whites when refereeing. Tina Legg is another Committee member who puts in a lot of time and effect planning, preparing and organising all the things that nobody else thinks to get sorted. Current Club President - Jim Butler now enjoys life in the beauty of Cornwall, but does travel down to us a few times each year to give us some words of wisdom and some of his incredible knowledge of the clubs history.
The club is without doubt - one of the friendliest in the country. We travel all over the world (Florida, USA - South Africa - Denmark . . . ) and try to give our boxers every opportunity possible. Our committee offer all kinds of support and are always willing to move forward with the times. It's a club I am very proud to be a big part of and will continue to be a big part of - but just try to remember that I am now just a Coach - nothing more, nothing less. For the time being that's all I want to be.
Dagenham Boxing Club - Onwards and Upwards . . . . . .