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A History of Sale Harriers

1910 onwards…

1910: Club Formation

  • Club formed in 1910 from a merger of church clubs and gymnasiums.
  • First meeting held in the Temperance Rooms, Cross Street, Sale.
  • Committee formed and inter-club competitions arranged.
  • Key figures: Henry Wilson (vice-president, treasurer until 1936) and son Richard “Dick” Wilson (captain for 20+ years).

1911: First AGM and Club Activities Begin

  • First AGM in September 1911.
  • Officials appointed, rules made, subscription set at 2s6d.
  • First club run on 30th September 1911 from Temperance Rooms.
  • Affiliation with East Lancashire Association.

1914 - 1918: World War I

  • Club closed during WWI.
  • Post-war: resumed in 1919.
  • Club ran 24 events, 9 were inter-club with 4 wins.
  • Introduced Knutsford to Sale 10-mile race (annual until 1980s).
  • Training on The Avenue (cinder surface), members changed in bushes.

1922 - 1923: Early Championships and Growth

  • 1922: First championship placement (East Lancashire XC), Leech Cup won by Les George.
  • 1923: Club started track training at Altrincham football ground.
  • Membership exceeded 100.
  • Moved to Sale Baths after Temperance Rooms closed.

1927 - 1929: Peak and Identity

  • 1927–28: Successful season with major championship wins and inter-club matches.
  • 1928–29: New club colours introduced—green vest with red & white bands.
  • Hosted East Lancashire Championships at Hovis Ground (Washway Road).

1930 - 1938: New Era of Success

  • Dick and Henry Wilson credited for financial success through social events.
  • Standout names: Harry Loftus, Horace Partington, Jackie Fearon, Jack Carr, Harold & Walter Wilson (joined in 1932).
  • Harold and Walter became key figures in club development.

1939 - 1945: World War II

  • Championships and fixtures cancelled due to WWII.
  • Training continued at Hovis Ground.

1950 - 1955: Post-War Rebuilding

  • 1950–51: Requested land from Sale Borough Council—granted at Crossford Bridge.
  • Members built a 330-yard grass lap themselves.
  • 1953: Cinder track constructed on old cotton dump site near River Mersey.
  • First track meet: August 1953.
  • 1955: Metro Vickers supplied cinders; Council invested £6000 in resurfacing.

1955 - 1963: Expanding the Track and Talent

  • Track completed with Metro Vickers cinders.
  • Dressing rooms moved to old Sewage Works pumping station.
  • Track used by all sections, including women.
  • Mo Jefferson and Mike Beresford recorded top UK times.
  • 1962: Beresford broke Scottish records in 880-yard and mile.
  • 1970/72: Floodlights installed by Sale Borough Council.

1964 - 1966: New Tenancy and Growing National Recognition

  • 1964/65: Club took over tenancy of Sewage Works.
  • Summer training at Wythenshawe Park on grass track.
  • First male team placed in National XC Championships.
  • Notable wins: Boys, Youths, Juniors won East Lancashire titles.
  • Broke 4 x 1 mile National Relay record and 4 x 880 yards record.
  • Some team members represented Great Britain.
  • 1965/66: Youths won National Youth XC for 3rd straight year.
  • Juniors also won National title.

1969 - 1978: Growth in Women’s Athletics and World Records

  • 1969: Eric Hughes began involvement via daughter Lisa.
  • 1970s: Women’s team rose to national prominence.
  • 1972/3: Broke 24-hour World Relay Record (then improved it).
  • 1975/6: Set British record in 100 x 1 mile (8h 1m 3.5s).
  • Set record for Pennine Way (270 miles in 32h 10m).
  • Hosted major 15-mile race at Wythenshawe Park.
  • Pavilion at Crossford Bridge destroyed by arson in 1978/9.

1980 - 1985: Rebuilding and Fundraising

  • “Phoenix Fund” raised £9000 for new pavilion.
  • New pavilion opened 5th Dec 1981 by Mayor of Trafford.
  • Rent raised to £5300 → Development Association created.
  • Jim Stapleton ran the 200/300 Club.
  • Fundraising: Christmas draws, charity shop, club shop, canteen.

1980s - 1990s: Communications, Youth, and Women’s Success

  • “The Harrier” magazine launched; edited by Mo Jefferson (20 years), then Fechin McCormick (1994).
  • Fechin introduced colour magazine, website, and email communication.
  • 1980s–90s: Eric Hughes built dominant women’s team.
  • 1975: Women’s team joined UK Women’s League Premier Division.

1990: Club Name Change and Controversy

  • Trafford Council demanded name change for synthetic track development.
  • 1990 AGM: Name changed to “Sale Harriers Manchester” by one-vote margin.

1992 - 2002: New Track and Sportcity Era

  • 1992: New synthetic track opened at Wythenshawe Park.
  • Hosted BMC Grand Prix matches and key events.
  • Used as warm-up track for 2002 Commonwealth Games.
  • Became home to Norman Poole’s endurance squad.
  • 1994: Won three consecutive senior league titles.
  • 2000–2004: Five successive UK Division 1 titles, smashing points records.

2002 - 2016: European Success and Sportcity Partnership

  • 2002: Women won all top UK domestic titles + European Clubs trophy.
  • Became first club to contest 3 European championships in one year.
  • Sale athletes competed as “City of Manchester Athletics.”
  • Sportcity partnership ended in 2016; club returned to “Sale Harriers” in Premier Division.

2006 - 2013: Legacy and Leadership

  • Alan Robertshaw’s legacy honored in special Harrier tribute after his death in 2006.
  • Eric Hughes remained a leader of women’s team success until his death in 2013.
  • 35 European club competitions managed by Eric; elected European Cross-Country Federation VP.

2016 - 2018: Legacy Continues and Future Planning

  • Sale Harriers resumed using their original name in Premier Divisions.
  • 2018: Manchester City Council developed a 10-year strategic plan to upgrade Wythenshawe Park.