SALISBURY ABC was formed in the heart of Liverpools inner-city in 1974.
The club which has become universally known as the SOLLY was born through the ideas of TONY LYNCH who was club coach and secretary (who sadly passed away in 1996),TONY WRIGHT (now life vice president),JOHNNY REAGAN and ALAN LYNCH (coach & club matchmaker). It has had three homes, all in SALISBURY Street from which it derives its name.
The club members trained in the Community Hall and then in 1982 moved up the road to take over the basement area of the Metal building. A futher nine years on saw the removal vans in again to transport the gym to the Strada Hall, opposite the Metal building. The Strada Hall was originally built for the use of all kids in the area. The Solly club, based in the Everton area of the city, has enjoyed steady growth,coupled with successes at national and international level since its formation in 1974. A visit to a squad session, under-19 or full England, at any time in the 1980s and 1990s is testimony to the prominent position of the unity as the Solly will always be represented. The coaches however are not squad-washed and the key to Salisbury's success in the individuality of their boxers, On the boxing front, the club did not have to wait long for its first A.B.A senior title, just two years in fact when light-heavyweight Greg Evans claimed the 81kgs title in 1976. Greg Evans represented England on two occasions after his Wembley victory, dropping a decision to American Milford Kemp but stopping future British heavyweight champion Gordon Ferrias.
Apart from Greg Evans' success in the 1970s there is one other name to add: a young light middleweight boxer for the club but he soon left for a new life in Australia where in 1982 he won the Australian light middleweight title. His name is Kenny Salisbury (not as some people believe the name behind the club) who in 1984 won the Commonwealth title to add to Australian title. Kenny returned to Britain in 1985 to lose to Nick Wilshire on a second round cut eye.
The junior prominence of the club started to gain serious recognition in the early 1980s with Paul Wright's campaigns in the Schoolboy championships. Paul lost in the 1982 final. In January of the next year Solly boxers once again figured in national finals, this time at the NABC class C finals. The first boxer in the ring on that night in 1983 was light-flyweight Paul Lally who dropped a points decision to Colvestones' Pat Maher. Salisbury's other finalist was having only his 15th contest and was expected to meet defeat at the skilled hands of St Pancras stylist Mark Smith. Nobody told Terry Kinsella and he matched his natural power with Smith's superior skills and continually increased the pace and his personal workrate to win the title.
The next season Alan Lynch was back in the corner with another charge attempting to lift the NABC class C light-middleweight title. Paul Wright was outpointed by Newco Repton's Steve Butler in the 1985 final. Paul wore the young England vest twice against East Germany. In 1985 Paul Lally was back in the fold representing full England against Scotland after the selectors had savoured the gold medal Lally won while representing North West Counties at a Multi-Nations in 1984 which took place in Copenhagen. In January of 1985 Carl Wright moved into the spotlight by winning the NABC class A title by pounding out a points win against Paul Geall. A few months later he went for title number two and in one of the most exciting junior bouts ever seen in the schoolboy finals he outpointed Newco Repton's Dean Hollington.
Six weeks later the pair were at it again in the junior ABA semi-finals and this time Hollington proved that little bit fresher and took the vote and went on to win the final. The following season Carl advanced on title number three. and the opponent was once again Hollington. Carl made it two out of three and collected the NABC class B title before moving instantly into the young England squad. Carl was a regular feature in various England vests and for young England Carl was part of a two man squad which went to Havana, Cuba, to take part in the World Junior Championships at the start of the summer. He lost a 3-2 to the Hungerian and suffered because of a mystifying public warning. After Carl's NABC win the skills of Lee Rimmer moved into the immediate star spotlight. Lee won the schoolboy championships and then won the junior ABA title to complete a fantastic 1985-1986 season. The 1986-87 season ended with four more championships titles and one name to be remembered: John Reyes won the NABC class B title and in May won the junior ABA title; both campaigns were masterful and the victory performances were equally impressive. John shared the platform with Lee Riinmer who won the schools after a gruelling set of bouts but lost in the junior ABA finals.
In the NABC class C finals Tony Mock won the featherwight title beating young England teammate Billy Schwer in the final. On his way to the final Tony scored two incredible sigle shot knockouts which act as a reminder that the awkward southpaw was foremost a big puncher. A total of eight national titles for the club in a period of approximately two years. The coaches were Alan Lynch Frank Smith and Charlie Mock. Heavyweight Noel Quarless, who achieved more prominence in the pro ring, also boxed for the Solly. All good things come to an end and with the exception of a young David Burke no further national titles were added to the Salisbury collection although many regional titles have been acquired. Charlie Mock left the Solly and another coach took his place: John Carroll who was club coach and comp sec at the Lee Jones, a little later another coach came Tony Challenor. The start of another chapter in a success story that now covers two decades. Undoubtedly the man who has been at the fore-front of training the Solly's youngsters since the start,Alan Lynch. His drive and enthusiasm for the club he boxed for has been a major factor in its success. Alan's coaching input has been curtailed due to major heart surgery. Alan is club matchmaker, he is also a much respected figure on the North West Counties scene, currently dealing with the onerous task of N.W.C records officer and one of three England Selection committee members. David Burke who won the junior A,B.As in 1991/92 season and was runner up in N,A,B,C.s in the 1993 to Danny Costello. Alas despite many near misses the most recent near miss was 93/94 season when David Burke lost a razor-thin majority decision in the ABA Semi Finals to Spencer Oliver. The Londoner went on to win the title and when Commonwealth Games selection came round that decision saw Oliver getting the vote. There were many voices raised against the selection particulary as southpaw Burke had won the 54kg gold medal in the Liverpool multi-nations, defeating the German Rico Kubat in the final. As Kubat had decisioned Oliver in the Semi, Burke supporters argued that their man should have been on the plane to British Columbia. The fact is he wasn't and no doubt, like the majority of us, was an interested armchair viewer as Oliver went on to claim the silver medal place. Having spent a couple of years in warmer climates, Tommy Peacock returned to the Solly from the Leonis club in Jersey. The tall lightweight also failed at the Gateshead seni-final stage, losing out to St Pancras' Ian Smith. I thought that Peacock's early work had taken the bout but two judges gave it to the Londoner, who certainly finished the stronger. Tommy boxed regularly for England and was a member of the team who competed in the European Championships along with David Burke.
The 1994/95 season saw three young juniors make the breakthrough on the national scene: Stephen Burke, Stephen Reagan, and Ian Hennigan. Burke lost on points in the schoolboy semi-final to Delroy Price three times National champion, along with Hennigan who lost on points to Ray Wood. Stephen Reagan lost on a two to one result in the National boys club championship final to Tommy James from London. Reagan never let the result get him down and three months later won the National schoolboy championships beating Mike Mclean in the final on points. Stephen Burke also never let the result of his semi-final loss get him down and he also went on to win the National boys club championship final beating John O'Sullivan. The first Salisbury schoolboy to wear the England schoolboy vest was Ian Hennigan who was selected to box against Ireland in Dublin. Ian lost on points to Lee McHugh the all Ireland champion. We move on to the 1995/96 season where we saw one of the best seasons in the short history of the club. Two brothers Darren and Jason Vlasman joined the Solly from the Gemini club, also two boxers from the Litherland club Mike Jennings and Thomas O'Leary. Two other brothers joined from the Tuebrook club Danny and Terry Moore.
David Burke and Tommy Peacock were boxing for England all over the world and at home. David was selected to box in the World senior championships in Berlin; only two boxers were selected. David won his first series bout against Slavan Vagsky from the Slovac Republic but lost his second bout to rated U.Ibragihow from U.Z.B. A month after the world championships the Liverpool multi-nations, Tommy Peacock was selected to compete only two weeks after geting married and whose honeymoon was put on hold. And Burke wasn't originally selected for this year's competition. He'd competed in the world championships in Berlin. When he came home he stayed in peak condition and helped his England club mate so when one of the England party pulled out David was called up.It was great news for the Solly only a modest inner-city set up, but it speaks volumes for the coaches John Carroll, Frannie Smith, Tony Challenor, Alan Lynch expressed pride at two Salisbury boxers having been selected. Tommy came out on top in an all England bout with Garry Hibbert and finished strongly for a deserved points win 15-7.
David stayed on course when he overcame the Hungarian Zscolta Barta 8-1 on points. In the next stage Tommy was a cut eye loser to Edouard Zakharov from Russia. Tommy looked to be recovering from a slow start and threatening the upright East European before a cut that later required two stitches appeared beneath his left eye. The Danish referee examined the injury and much to Tommy's disappointment the ringside doctor ended the bout. David's next bout was against Nigeria's William Emoni over nine battling minutes. David was never able to relax against the tall, and awkward Emoni. David's better work and clean shots earned him a 10-6 points decision. David lost on points in the semi-finals to Kamsing 8-5; it was a bronze medal to add to his gold. Kamsing was later to go on and win the Olympic gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. David went on to win gold in October 95 in the prestigious Tampere multi-nations in Finland and win the award for the best technical boxer of the tournament. He beat the world rated Frenchman Claud Chinon 11-6 in the final. Tommy won bronze in the same tournament. Tommy was in the England team that boxed against South Africa in February 96 in London and went on to k.o. E. Makama. David boxed against the U.S.A at the Hilton hotel he boxed Alex Ramos and he knocked out the American in the first round. The Solly's big two were selected for the European championships, an Olympic qualifying tournament. Burke reached the semi-final stage by beating S. Vagasky (Slovke) won points, S. Araik (Czech Rep) and a knockout over S. Yagli (Turkey). In the semi-final he met World champion S. Todorov from Bulgaria and lost on points. He then had to overcome the Scottish European junior champion Scott Harrison in a box off; he won on points. A lifetime's ambition was achieved: he qualified for the Atlanta Olympics.
The only British boxer to meet the qualifiying criteria for Atlanta, Tommy was a lot better than his opponent, but he didn't box well on the night and lost on points.
The 1996 Atlanta Olympic games: David faced a titanic first round battle against Germany's world-rated No. 3 Falk Huste at the 9,500 capacity Alexander Memorial Coliseum. David's dream for Olympic boxing glory ended at the first hurdle with a points defeat by the German 13-9, a decision which was booed by the crowd. David who started slowly trailed 3-1 after the first round. David showed greater aggression in the secound round and third round but the German's straighter, more accurate punching clearly caught the judges' eye. David turned professional; he had been expected to stay amateur until after the world championships and the 1988 Commonwealth Games, but he and Tomny were persuaded to punch for pay. After the depature of Tommy and David to the paid ranks two brothers came to the forefront on the England scene: Jason and Darren Vlasman both wore the England vest, Jason in a multi-nations who lost to the world-rated Edourd Zakharov, and Darren who lost on points in Denmark on a tour for England. We move on to 1996/97 season on the senior ABA trail: Darren Vlasman, Jason Vlasman and a boxer who only joined the club some five weeks earler Lee Molloy. Jason lost a very close bout with last season's ABA champion Carl Wall in the West Lancs semi-final, Carl from the Gemini club who boasted three ABA champions last season. Darren lost to another Gemini boxer in the West Lancs final Colin Toohey on points. Next up was Lee Molloy who had to reverse a previous defeat at the hands of Transport's Mark Brooks. This was the first performance in a Solly vest and he performed to win a close but deserved points win in the semi-final. In the West Lancs final Lee was up against the tough Higherside middleweight Alan Mulcahy and both boxers gave the crowd value for money over five action packed rounds. Mulcahy tired in the final round and took a standing eight count. The crowd gave both boxers a standing ovation but Lee lost in a very close contest. That was the end of the ABA trail for 96/97 season, but just the start of the schoolboy, junior and novice season for the Solly team. Derry Mathews a young schoolboy at 34kg reached the quarter finals of the schoolboys in only his 12th contest: one to watch for the future. The work by the coaches was reaping the rewards Tony Challenor the youth coach and John Carroll and Frank Smith. The Solly entered two boxers in novice championships Tommy Christian and Terry Moore both boxers reached the national final. Tommy was given a walk over in the final and became the 51kg novice champion Terry boxed Mark O'Brien in 57kg final at the famous old boxing venue the York Hall Bethnell Green London, over four two minute rounds and came out with the result that meant the Solly had completed a national title double. That would not be the end of the title trail. Stephen Burke was looking to become the national youth champion; his first bout was against last season's youth champion J. St Aubine from the London Dale youth club in 57kg division. The bout did not get past the first round: he was knocked out in one minute 20 seconds. Stephen's next bout was against the multi title Terry Rowley who had beaten Stephen last season in the Northern finals of the NABC championships. It was the first time Stephen had been over the championship distance of five rounds. He completed the bout with ease and had Rowley down for the count of eight on the way to a easy points win. The next bout had a lot of importance not because it was a national final but a place in the European junior team later in the year at Birmingham was at stake. Stephen was up against big punching Leo O'Reilly from the south of England but Stephen never took a backward step and had Leo down twice before the referee called it off in the second round to become the 1997 nationalyouth champion and book a place in the European junior team.
In the European senior championships Stephen's brother David won bronze. Could Stephen go one better? June 97 John Carroll had got Stephen in the best shape for the championships. His first bout was against a tough Romanian who had boxed for his country on twenty two occasions; this was Stephen's first international contest. After five hard rounds Stephen came out on top with a 9-5 points win. There was no time to have a good rest because he was back in the ring the next day against the German N. Shuster. Stephen was finding it hard to pin down the tall German and after four rounds the score was 4-4. It was all on the last round, and Stephen put in a great last round to win 9-4. Stephen could have a day's rest before his semi-final bout against the Russian Alex Kozlovski. The bout was a cat and mouse affair with the Russian coming out on top after five rounds 12-9. A bronze medal was Stephen's reward and all at the club were proud of him. Another boxer who won his first bout and lost the secound bout was junior Olympic gold medallist Tony Dodson who knocked out the Hungarian Z. Lowe in round two but lost his second bout against the top German S. Krestman. After the championships he joined the Salisbury from the Gemini club. Coach John Carroll successes include European featherweight bronze medalist and Olympic representive David Burke, and forner England No. 1 lightweight Tommy Peacock and a host of junior champions including David's younger brother Stephen, who won a European junior bronze medal. The coaching staff who work very close include Tony Challenor and Frank Smith. The coaches and officials are looking forward to the new 1997/98 season,
Alan Lynch
22 Stansfield Avenue
Maghull
L31 3ER
Tel / Fax: 0151 474 5498
