A contest the Athletic Club needs to win

It is a role which is totally undeserved.

The club was created out of nothing by a previous generation of Bexhillians who were whole-hearted in their dedication not only to sport but to providing by guidance and example the foundation for a new future for young people through the medium of sport.

What began as a boxing and gym club in a rented hay-loft, progressed to larger rented premises.

But it took a major effort of will-power to generate the funds in the difficult years following the Great Depression before the building of a new club could be contemplated.

Then the Second World War intervened.

With the war over, the new building in Little Common Road opened '“ the product of much thrift and such home-spun measures such as a buy-a-brick scheme.

Post-war, it was sustained by its supporters' club and its highly-popular weekly draw.

It fostered generations of athletes, cricketers, gymnasts, boxers and footballers.

It was a key part of the Bexhill community of its generation.

Then came the new Bexhill Leisure Centre, with its rival attractions just across the road.

Local enterprise such as the Athletic Club draw were eclipsed by the new National Lottery.

But in true sporting tradition, the Athletic Club has never thrown in the towel. It has boxed on, through good rounds and those in which it has taken a beating.

The gym has been transformed into a functions room because of the need to bring in money.

Much has been achieved. But still more needs to be done '“ there is still concern about the roof, which has leaked for years. The building needs to adapt to meet today's disabled access requirements. Young boxers have no ring.

Now town MP Gregory Barker has pledged to head a taskforce which aims to attract the hundreds of thousands of pounds which will now be needed to return the club to its true place in the community.

He will be joined by Rother member Cllr Jimmy Carroll and by committee member Barry Painter.

By a supreme irony, what is needed now is the big boost that only a Lottery grant can offer.

We wish the club success. It has served the town well in the past and could do still more in the future given the funding it richly merits.

Some day, Cinderella will get to go to the ball '“ or perhaps, newly-refurbished, she will host it in celebration.