Birchfield Harriers to take 11 athletes to Glasgow 2014

Chairman Andy Paul today hailed Birchfield Harriers' starting 11 after their Commonwealth Games call ups.

The club have 11 athletes in Team England for the Glasgow Games after the squad was confirmed yesterday.

Darlaston Dart Mark Lewis-Francis is included in the 4x100m relay squad with high jumper Tom Parsons, who finished fifth in 2010, and 400m hurdler Meghan Beesley.

Danny Talbot (200m), Michael Bingham (400m), Matthew Hudson-Smith (4x400m relay), Shara Proctor, (long jump) and Eden Francis (discus and shot) also make the cut.

High jumper Beth Partridge – who has been coached by Parsons this winter – is also included with Laura Samuel (triple jump) and Scott Rider (shot).

Paul said: "It shows the depth we have got. People might talk about Shara and Michael not being based in Birmingham but Tom and Mark have been around the Midlands all their racing life. They've worked really hard in the last few years.

"There's reason why people go to a good club. We know we're not going to be a Manchester United and pay them full time but we can offer the environment and access to competitions and it works for those guys. It's good for all the first timers as well."

Lewis-Francis is solely in the 4x100m relay team, along with Dwain Chambers and Andy Robertson, and is likely to compete with Richard Kilty, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Adam Gemili and team-mate Talbot for a spot.

He returned to train in Birmingham at the end of last year with the Commonwealth Games one of his main targets this season.

The 31-year-old, who won Olympic relay gold in 2004, has been coached by Paul and he wants to ensure Lewis-Francis is first pick.

"It's a positive step for Mark and keeps him in the mix so now we need to make sure he's not making up the numbers and will be the first one on the list," said Paul. "It's really good for the rest of the summer because the Commonwealth Games is just one thing for us.

"There's a reason why they take these guys because they know what to do, that's essential in relay.

"It's all about timing, you could have the best four people in the world but it's not going to guarantee you're going to get over the line first."