Club dumped by governing body

Wolverhampton Amateur Boxing Club was today in turmoil after the sport's governing body severed links with it, claiming officials had not followed advice in relation to a police investigation.

The move by the Amateur Boxing Association of England (ABAE) means the Eastfield club cannot compete in national tournaments run by the organisation.

Eleven boxers and two coaches have moved to another club while those who remain have been stripped of their ABAE registration.

The action was taken as police investigate contested claims a teenage girl was sexually assaulted while being ejected from the premises for misbehaviour.

The ABAE insisted today its advice on the running of the 71-year-old club during the continuing investigation was not followed Its Midland regional secretary Dave Cockell said: "Because of the current position, the club has been temporarily disaffiliated.

"Thirteen former members have transferred to another club and are therefore still affiliated but the rest have been deregistered. The club now stands alone."

Mr Cockell, who oversees scores of boxing clubs in seven different divisions of the ABAE, added: "I have never known anything like this in almost 40 years in the sport and the sooner we can get things back on an even keel the better.

"It is disappointing because none of this mess would have happened if they had done what they were asked to do until the current matter has been cleared up." The girl who complained was reportedly among a group of six non-members thrown out for misbehaviour.

A club member, who asked not to be named, said: "We have done nothing wrong and yet about a dozen of us have been seen over this.

"The club has only done good for the community and now all that work could be obliterated by one scurrilous allegation.

"The club did what the ABAE told us to do during the investigation but they believe otherwise and have now disaffiliated us.

"There is no way we are going to be closed by a smear campaign." Club chairman Dan Cooper said in a statement: "WABC is an independently insured private members club providing meaningful exercise and activity to the community since 1936.

"Following a disagreement over policy and politics we are no longer affiliated to the ABAE but our work continues at the gym every Monday, Wednesday and Friday with eight to 12-year-olds training from 6-7pm and those older than that training from 7-8.30 pm."

Earlier this year, club secretary John Thomas was presented with the Alderman Ted Lane award by Wolverhampton City Council for his contribution to boxing.

He has overseen the development of Olympians Tony Wilson and Roy Addison, and helped Nigel Rafferty, Delroy Spencer and Conroy McIntosh progress.