Life Members

Diane Modahl MBE

Diane has been an inspiration to a generation of runners and women after a very successful career in athletics. She is stated on ‘power of 10’ as being an active athlete for Sale Harriers from 1985 until 2012 when she completed the Wilmslow Half Marathon and the London Marathon.

Originally from Manchester, of Jamaican parents, she was 800 m champion in the Commonwealth Games of 1990. She competed in four Olympic Games: 1988 in Seoul, 1992 in Barcelona, 1996 in Atlanta, and 2000 in Sydney. She came fourth in the 800m at the 1993 World Championships in Athletics in Stuttgart, won the Europa Super Cup 800m in 1994, and came third at the 1989 IAAF Grand Prix final behind Ana Quirot of Cuba. She was a finalist at European and World Championships and the Olympic Games and won six British 800m titles.

Darren is a larger than life character who still commands enormous respect from us all at Sale Harriers along with the whole athletic and sprt community.

He was raised on the notorious Racecourse Estate in Sale within a stones throw of our home track at Crossford Bridge.

He still retains many Sale Harriers records including the 100, 200 and 4 x 100m relay.

Kevin represented Great Britain in the men’s 1500 metres at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona and was also in the Great Britain team for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

He represented England in the 1,500 metres event, at the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Canada. Four years later he represented England in the 1,500 metres event again, at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

McKay became the British 1500 metres champion after winning the British AAA Championships title at the 1992 AAA Championships and the 1994 AAA Championships.

Coaching Achievements

• Level 3 Coach for Middle Distance and Endurance events
• Coach athletes from U15 to Senior level, male and female
• Distances coached from 800m to the Marathon
• Coached athletes that have reached county standard to full GB International.
• GB Team Coach Edinburgh International Cross Country
• England Team Coach Indoor International

Athlete achievements and successes

• Harriet Knowles-Jones to Junior European XC Championships silver (2015)
• Harriet Knowles-Jones to 4th in the 1500m World Youth Championships (2015)
• World Junior Triathlon Silver
• European Duathlon Champion
• European Junior Triathlon Champion
• World Cross Country Championships Senior Men and U20 Women GB representatives
• European Cross Championships Senior and Under 20 GB representatives
• World Half Marathon GB representative
• National Cross Country Champions Senior Men, U20 Women, U17 Women
• National Cross Country Senior Medallists
• Northern Champions Cross Country
• England U23 Silver Medallist 5000m
• UK Games U17 800m Medallist
• English AAA U17 800 Medallist
• Welsh Champion on track and cross country
• English Schools finalists on track and cross country
• National Championship medallists for road and cross country relays

Athletic Achievements

• Personal Bests
  • 800m – 1.54
  • 1500m – 3.47
  • Mile – 4.05
  • 3000m – 8.00.4
  • 5000m – 13.51.4
  • 10000m – 29.01
  • 5 miles – 23.21
  • 10k road – 29.09
  • 10 mile road – 47.35
  • Half marathon – 63.13
  • Marathon – 2hr 18mins
• Northern Cross Country Championships
• 1st Junior 1985
• 3rd Senior 1995
• 1st Senior 1997
• 3rd Senior 1998
• 2nd Youth 1982
• 1st Junior 1985
• 3rd Senior 1993
• 1984 Juniors 6th New York, USA. 2nd Team.
• 1987 Warsaw, Poland, 2nd Team
• 1991 Antwerp, Belgium.
• 1992 Boston, 3rd Team.
• 1993 Amorebieta, Spain.
• 1997 Turin, Italy.
• 1998 AAA half marathon 2nd.
• 1984 3rd AAA Junior 3000m.
• National Cross Country Championships
• World Cross Country Championships

Jack is a club stalwart and will always be found on training nights at Sportcity. He has been the financial brains behind the club for many years. He is a long term and valued member of the clubs Executive Committee. Jack was for a long time the team manager for our Northern League teams as well as a respected team manager for the young athlete’s league and junior league teams before they became the YDL teams. His influence is also felt within both the senior men and women’s team management structure where his advice and wise advocacy is often sought.  He was the worthy recipient of the 2017 Frank Starkie Memorial Cup awarded by BATL (The British Association of Track and Field Leagues).

Coaching Achievements

• Helped to develop Phil McDonnell to a high jump PB of 2.24m and would have gone to the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics had his Oxbridge exams not taken priority.
• Assisted Adrian Ord and Chris Hesketh to become 2.10cms high jumpers and internationals.
• Supported Matthew Owens to leap 2.14cms and qualify for the World Juniors Final.
• Nurtured Darren Hammond to win AAA and English Schools titles, plus representing GB in the European Youth Olympics in Italy. As a 16 year old, he was ranked 8th in the world U18 age group.
• Coached U20 Seun Okome to a brilliant 2014 season where he high-jumped 2.12m.
• Helped several pole-vaulters to clear the remarkable height of 5 meters: –
  • (a) Andy Ashurst who took gold at the Commonwealth Games in 1986 (5.30m), and went to the 1988 Seoul and 1992 Barcelona Olympics. His PB of 5.45m was a club record for more than 20 years
  • (b) Matt Belsham, part of Sale Harriers golden years of pole vaulters in the 80s and 90s and selected for England in the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games
  • (c) Duncan Pearce (5.00m), Andy Greig (5.20m), all following in the footsteps of John Parkinson, winner of the senior English schools title with a 4. 35m clearance.
  • (d) Ezekiel Rowe, who earned a school’s international selection, and Greg Appleby awarded a bronze in the 2014 EA U17 championships.
  • (e) Matt Cullen who soared over 5 meters in 2013 and now is Sale’s principal pole vault coach.

Athletic Background

Following a career in middle distance running, which included winning a bronze medal in the AAA’s 10 mile championships behind Ron Hill, taking part in the first London Marathon in 1981, competing in many fell races including the Ben Nevis race, I turned my attentions to coaching in 1982. I needed a challenge in a technical event, and because there was a lack of jump coaches in the club, I chose that discipline. Sale Harriers was then based in Wythenshawe Park. I look back on those days as the club’s best despite the brilliant facilities we enjoy at SportCity.

Coaching Philosophy

Although attaining coaching qualifications, I would never call myself a coach, but a nurturer, encourager, helper and facilitator, with the sole intention of developing athletes in attaining their full potential.

Brian Goulden has been a member of Sale Harriers since September 1960 when club legend Alan Robertshaw recruited him (and fellow Life Member Steve Edmunds) when he spotted his talents at a school’s cross country race.

Acute anaemia curtailed his early development and it wasn’t until 1965 that Brian shone out as a great runner. He quickly improved his 5k pb to 15:19 and was part of the 1967 Sale Gold medal teams in the Northern and National Junior Cross Country Championships.

From 1968 he was a regular member of the club’s senior Northern and National Cross Country teams, and on the track he represented Sale over 1500 and 5000m in the British Premier League (BAL).

During 1969 again with Steve Edmunds he was part of the Sale Harriers team that broke the 200 mile road relay record, Cardiff to Caernarfon, in 14:03:50 averaging 4:22 per mile over the 200 miles.

Two years later, again with Steve Edmunds and fellow life member Dave Farmer, he was part of the team who broke the 24 hour world track record, running 287 miles 392yds in one mile reps, on Crossford Bridge’s cinder track, run in November wind, rain and frost, on a track more akin to a cross country course, and with only eight of the ten men in the final stages. Brian averaged 4:55 minute miles for his 32 miles. The following year, the team recorded 293 miles. He attributes the club success in those years to ‘commitment, regular training and club loyalty’.

His lifetime personal bests include:- 800m 1:58, 1500m 3:55, 1 mile 4:12, track 3k 8:24, track 5k 14:35, 10k 30:05, 10 miles 50:10, 20k 63:18, Half Marathon 1hr 7min and Marathon 2:32 at Sandbach in 1978.

Aged 45 Brian still clocked 33 minutes for 10k and was a valued and regular member of the club’s veteran teams until he was 57. He retired in 2006 but continued to keep fit with cycling until he broke his hip in a crash that required a hip replacement.

Brian has supported Sale Harriers throughout his life and in retirement he has been a volunteer who is always available and makes a huge contribution. He has been a key member of the summer 4 x 5k Sizzler team since the series began in the summer of the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games with responsibility for course marshalling. He has trained as a track judge to more effectively help the club at its track and field meetings, giving up weekends to help the club maximise its match points by providing its required quota of officials. At many other times, you will see Brian as an enthusiastic club supporter at cross country, track events and relays.

Fifty five years later Brian’s lifetime commitment to Sale Harriers deserves his life membership.

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Andy has been the most televised 60m athlete from the club, highlighting the club’s name, and always wearing his club vest.

His performances over the years have been quite remarkable, first featuring in the Power of 10 as an U11 in 2001.

In 2023 he claimed Silver in the British Indoor Championships, wearing his club vest.

A summary of his SENIOR achievements over many years.

2022   World Indoors              Belgrade         Semi-finalist

2021   European Indoors         Torun              Finalist     finished 4th

2018    World Indoors             Birmingham   Semi-finalist

2017    European indoors        Belgrade         Finalist

2016    World Indoors              Portland         Semi -finalist

2014    Commonwealth Games               4*100m Silver

Many U23s, U20 and younger age group successes including English Schools.

His Personal bests 

60m     6.54secs     in 2016

100m  10.10secs    in  2014  (  10.01 wind)

Now In his 34th year, and 23 years member of the club, he richly deserves this recognition.

Lucy Evans joined Sale Harriers in 1996, aged 14 and represented the club every year for 22 years until the age of 36. In that time, she’s been a loyal club stalwart always proud to represent Sale Harriers. She’s arguably represented Sale Harriers on the track more than any other athlete in the club’s history – in the Young Athletes League, UKWAL (Premier), Jubilee Cup and Northern Premier League.

Among her proudest achievements as a Sale Harrier was being a regular part of the team that won the unprecedented number of UKWAL Premier League titles between 2004-2010 and then went on to represent Sale Harriers in the European Clubs Cup across Europe.

She said…

“I feel very privileged to have worn my club vest at many national and internationals competitions; British Championships, Olympic Trials, Manchester City Games and competitions in Europe and the USA. I remember at one meeting in Abilene, Texas, an official couldn’t quite believe that my vest was from Manchester UK. One of my most successful days as a Sale Harrier was at a club match in Leigh where I ran 2 new PBs of 11.61 for the 100m and 23.96 for the 200m. It was the first time I broke the 24.00 barrier for the 200m and is a day I will always remember”

Lucy has lost count of the number of times she’s represented Wales and is especially proud and honoured to have been selected for the Welsh Team at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Two more of Lucy’s career highlights were in 2014 when she ran the 4 x 100m anchor leg at the Glasgow Diamond League and in 2015 when she reached the final of the British Championships.

In 2018 she achieved a new pinnacle when she became the World W35 100m & 200m Champion at the World Masters Championships in Spain. Her 200m time of 25.19 ranked her No.1 W35 in the World that year.

Congratulations, Lucy.

Steve Edmunds joined Sale Harriers in 1959 aged 12 and was coached by club legend Alan Robertshaw and Alan’s father (Mr Robbo). Training in those days was from the Rackhouse Community Centre near Wythenshawe Park and sessions often consisted of 3 x 1 mile on the road and a four mile run on Thursdays. Sunday runs were often along the Bridgewater Canal from the old sewerage pumping station in Sale.

Steve competed for Sale Harriers from 1959 to 2005, from boys through to the veterans. Between 1962 and 67 he was on winning teams for boys, youths and juniors in the East Lancs Championships and the Northern and National Cross Country Championships.

Between 1967 and 78 he regularly represented the club in National track and field leagues and Pye Cups, doing the 5000m and 10,000m and was a regular on Northern and National relay teams. His 5k and 10k pbs are 14:16 and 29:17.

Between 1967 and 2000 Steve regularly represented Sale Harriers in road races from Newcaste upon Tyne to Torquay. He was on the team which won the 1969 Cardiff to Caernarvon relay, setting a new 200mile record of 14:3.50. In 1971 he was on the clubs 10 man team which broke the 24 hour track relay world record and the following year his team broke the record again covering over 293 miles in 24 hours.

In 1973 with Dave Farmer and Norman Carrington, he was on the winning Maxol Marathon team when he ran his pb of 2:16:24 which stood for 42 years. Said Steve of those years, “Alan Robertshaw instilled into us all how very important it was that a commitment to run for the club in team events was a must and I believe that that was the reason that the club was so successful in those days”.

Since 1996 Steve’s main club involvement has been a very willing and valuable club marshal.  He was part of the marshalling team for the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games. Is loyalty, commitment and availability to Sale Harriers for over 50 years is exemplary and inspirational.

Sadly Steve passed away in July 2023 after a short illness. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

After his death a minutes silence was held to commemorate his life at the Sale Sizzler 5k road race held in Wythenshawe Park. His funeral was held at Manchester Crematorium where Brian Goulden gave a moving tribute to Steve’s running career and accomplishments.

Alison has shown an amazing commitment to Sale Harriers over the years. She is one of the North West’s most respected timers in track and field and is a valuable point scorer at many track and field meetings. The club could really do with many more stalwarts like Alison to bolster the team.

Bob Gaisie first started with Sale Harriers in approximately 1975/6 when Helen Nichols introduced him to coach Peter Schofield who developed him into a good “club level” sprinter. He trained with some excellent athletes in Peter’s squad – IAN SAUNDERS, DEREK PRICE, CARL HAMILTON, EARL TULLOCH, STEVE PEGLER and the late TREVOR CARRINGTON and, as a result, was fortunate to be selected on a number of occasions to represent the region and GB.

Persistent injuries frustrated his athletics career so he drifted into semi pro football with Glossop and a few other clubs. He then caught the American Football bug and joined the Manchester Spartans and was lucky enough to win British and European Titles as well as represent GB and win the European championship. He was also invited to try out for the NFL World League (London Monarchs).

He started coaching when some of the guys in his team wanted him to coach them. He eventually joined Earl Tulloch as his assistant in 1992. Since then, Bob has coached a number of very talented young people, some of whom have performed at international level:- DANA CALLOW (MYHILL)from the Isle of Man, ALLYN CONDON, DANIEL MONEY, HEATHER BROOKES, DANIELLE HALSALL and SHAUNNA THOMPSON.

Through his association with these athletes, he attended the World Athletics Championships in Berlin in 2009 as a GB team member, joining the World Class Coaches club (a Frank Dick coach development scheme). He was also recognised as NW Coach of the Year (1995) and Manchester Coach of the Year (1999). He’s was also the North West Lead coach when the SPAR Sprints Initiative was launched and then became a Sprints Coach mentor for England Athletics.

He’s also been the “Sprints Consultant” to Nova for the first 2 years of the Manchester Street Race when Usain Bolt attempted the world record for 150m. During that period Shaunna Thompson and Bob were the subject of a BBC Documentary called “Olympic Dreams” which included Jessica Ennis-Hill and Tom Daley (see below).

In 2013 & 2014 Bob used the Street Race experience to launch the Hulme and Moss Side street sports event with CARL HAMILTON and EARL TULLOCH, which proved to be extremely popular and was a great success. He now coaches a small group of  athletes including Shaunna Thompson and Annabel Amadin (shot) and is mentoring a new coach about

Mike Dunne joined Sale Harriers in the 1960’s and for forty years he represented Sale Harriers competitively over all distances on roads and cross-country from 5k to the Marathon and achieved impressive times that included a 2:26.00 Marathon. About 2006 when he retired from competitive running the emergence of the Saturday Parkrun 5k’s enabled him to  continue his love of running, remaining a Sale Harrier to the core.

Mike Dunne’s affiliation to Sale Harriers remained as strong as ever, invariably active in the club’s background as a readily available, competent and hands-on member, ready to put his skills from a lifetime in the building trade to benefit Sale Harriers.  Few will know his spontaneity to repair damaged water pipes, toilet cisterns, car-park pot-holes and other faults around the Wythenshawe Park facility.  A no-nonsense, hands-on person, he cut through the red tape and just got the job done.

Christine has been a mainstay of the Primary Section for many years and has shown amazing commitment to the club over the years. She sits on the Sale Harriers Manchester Executive Committee as well as The Crossford Bridge Management Committee where she is a trustee. She is essential to the day to day running of Crossford Bridge and also organises the presentation evening and is a coach and England Athletics track and field official.

Carol was first introduced to Sale Harriers Manchester by her 9-year-old daughter Sarah in 1988. To begin she started running with the Red group as a helper.  With daughter, son and husband (club president and former chairman David Brown CBE) all being involved with the Club, she became a helper with the youngsters in the Yellow group (6-8 years). After a short while she went through the process and courses to finally become a UKA Licenced Level 2 coach. With many happy times with the youngsters on track and field, and especially our runs out during the cross country season along the River Mersey, with plenty of muddy puddles being involved!

During this time husband David, and good friend Ann Jackson invited Carol to help officiate at Club held athletic meetings at Crossford Bridge.  Getting more and more involved with the running of the Primary Section Carol joined the Primary Section Committee for a number of years and from this went on to the Crossford Bridge Management Association Committee as Secretary which governs the whole of the site at The Crossford Bridge Sports Facility. Carol became more and more involved in officiating whilst still coaching. She took exams and eventually becoming what is now known as a Level 4 Technical Official, being able to act as a track umpire, referee and also being able to operate as a photo finish official. Cross country officiating also being a great love, stemming from Sale Harriers promotion of Schools events at Crossford.

With the untimely and sad death of Frank Starkey and David taking over the role of Chairman, Carol became Club Secretary. At the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics Carol was given the honour to be selected as a track umpire which she can confirm was a very special period in her officiating career with some very good memories. Carol has since its inception, been involved in the Great City Games on Deansgate, more recently taking on the role of track referee and also referee for the Manchester 10k race.  She is the referee for the Manchester half marathon.

At the AGM held in March 2016 Carol was honoured to accept Life membership of the Club.

Our Club President and chairman DAVID BROWN was honoured in 2008 by being made a Life Member of Sale Harriers Manchester. This exceptional tribute follows many previous commendations whilst he worked as one of GMP’s most successful detectives and culminated in being awarded the CBE (Commander of the British Empire) by the Queen before his retirement as Head of GMP’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit.

David’s involvement with Sale Harriers Manchester began with the younger athletes of the Primary Section. Being a Level 3 Coach and lead coach for the Yellow Group at Crossford Bridge, he has for years been developing the athletic potential of our youngest hopefuls. During those years he has also been heavily involved in the Annual Awards night for the Primary Section and it was he who had the insight to hold an annual Open Meeting at Sportcity in order that Crossford Bridge’s young athletes could ‘try their hand’ utilising a top quality facility. He has been very involved in the Club’s Executive Committee for many years most recently being elected its President and has used his immense experience to keep the club keep up to date with current athletic issues and he further took on the task of updating the Club’s Constitution.

Using his vast experience as a policeman, David pioneered the Club’s Criminal Record Bureau checks for all adults involved with younger club members and so successful was this pilot that the model was rolled out nationally and led to David being appointed by UK Athletics as the lead Officer for CRB checks for all coaches and officials in the country. When the Crossford Bridge Management Group was formed some years ago, David’s role in the group involved managing the whole site incorporating the football pitches, together with the athletic facility. He did this with distinction despite the great challenges he encountered and always with SHM at heart. David is particularly renowned as an Official Race Starter. This began firstly at local meetings at Crossford Bridge and led to him officiating at International events that incorporated duties such as Technical Director and Meeting Manager. He is as available for local club T & F, road and cross-country events as being a Chief Starter at major domestic and international events.

John has been involved in Sale Harriers for many years and is never afraid to speak his mind. His wisdom and experience has been invaluable in his roles as sprints coach, team manager, exec committee member and chairman. He has recently relinquished his 2025 duties as Northern League team manager, where we saw some fantastic performances.

Frank has been a Sale Harrier for over 30 years and is currently club secretary, club welfare officer, CBMA trustee, Level 2 field judge and website editor. As an athlete his achievements include sub 31 10k, sub 16 track 5k and over 10 marathons.

Keith Hunter was awarded the club’s highest honour, Life Membership, for his exceptional lifetime service to Sale Harriers coaching over more than 25 years. Keith began his coaching career at Crossford Bridge and moved to Sportcity when it opened following the Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2002. Sale Harriers wishes Keith a long, happy, and healthy retirement and thanks him for developing so many athletes to the highest level, both domestically and internationally.