Boxing club rounds up support for ring

A popular amateur boxing club in Staffordshire has stepped closer to securing its future in the town after drawing up plans for a new home.

The future of Burntwood Amateur Boxing Club in Burntwood was hanging in the balance after its home at Redwood Park Community Centre, known as the Pavilion, was redeveloped this year. The Pavilion was taken over by Beacon Community Church to encourage more people to use it, meaning the boxing club had to move to a temporary base.

It moved to Burntwood Institute in Rugeley Road.

But bosses said the facilities were not suitable to house the club long term.

The club, which has 40 members, now wants to create a prefab building to permanently house its boxing ring on a plot of land at Burntwood Rugby Club, and head coach Mark Elliot, said a planning application would soon be submitted to Lichfield District Council.

He said: "We have training once a week at the Institute, but it's just keeping things ticking over. It's not suitable, we've got no bags and we've got no ring."

Their situation has seen the boxers attract the support of Burntwood councillors and local police Inspector Kevin Mulligan.

"The club gives our lads something to focus on and a little bit of dedication, they train three nights a week ordinarily," said Mr Elliot.

Mr Elliot, who represented Great Britain at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, added that county councillor Eric Drinkwater, who represents Burntwood North, had also given his backing to the clubr.

Mr Elliot said the club was still keen to attract sponsorship from local businesses.

Anyone who can help should call him on 07976 853384.