Pleck coach wants champion
Pleck ABC head coach Tony Leonard has set his sights to train a senior champion - to say thanks to Walsall Council and Walsall FC in the process.
Pleck ABC head coach Tony Leonard has set his sights to train a senior champion - to say thanks to Walsall Council and Walsall FC in the process.
Walsall Council waive many charges to the inner city club, seeing it as an important community group helping to inspire young people.
The Saddlers also play their part in the ABC's survival. Proceeds from the Football Association's Community Shield, which sees the Premier League winners take on the FA Cup holders at the start of each new season, are shared among every professional football club in the country.
Clubs then nominate three charities to donate their share to and, in Walsall's case, one of those is Pleck ABC.
"The football club is great to us," said Leonard.
"The donation from the Community Shield is a real help and, because we have charity status, we receive a few other benefits.
"Walsall Council have also been as good as gold to us, so we're really lucky."
As well as these gestures of goodwill, Pleck ABC also profit from holding four amateur dinner shows a year at Banks's Stadium.
The evenings bring in valuable income and give the club's fighters a platform to showcase their talents.
"These are great nights for everybody and the money we raise helps fund the gym," added Leonard.
"We've got a show there on October 18 and 10 of the lads will be matched up.
"The lads get a real buzz from these shows and obviously, the money helps to keep us ticking over."
As well as that show, Leonard will be entering a number of fighters into the national novice, junior and senior championships next month before turning his attentions to the 2008 senior ABA championships.
"My all-time dream is to get a senior champion. That would be great for Pleck ABC. We've had a couple of finalists but never a winner."
Leonard's association with the club stretches 25 years and he believes the club provides a vital service to youngsters.
"An awful lot of local youngsters spend their time here," he said.
"They love the atmosphere, the workouts and the discipline side of boxing."
