The Formation of Featherstone Weightlifting Club
Featherstone Weightlifting Club (Featherstone WLC) formed in 1958 by founder member Allan Whitworth. In 1959 they amalgamated with Parkside WLC in Pontefract, which was formed in the late 1940’s by Jack Garbutt. Allan and Jack had originally met at Parkside club in 1953.
Since the beginning, they have trained at 6 locations in Featherstone, Yorkshire.
The Members In The Early Days
Jack Garbutt was a European and World Masters champion.
Tony Flood (pictured below), a member in the 1960’s officiated at two Olympics and a Commonwealth games.
Allan Whitworth was a successful powerlifter – as originally Featherstone WLC did both Olympic Lifting and Powerlifting – winning regional titles with a best deadlift of 591 lbs (268kg)!
John Reynolds was a British Heavyweight champion in late 1950’s on the strength set; the squat, curl and bench, which was coached at the club.
Les D’arcy represented the club in World and European Masters Championships as well as multiple time world Table Tennis champion!
Bill Harrison was a 7th Dan instructor in Karate who trained at the club also.
Mark Wager won the British Schools in 1981 and has since been second in a European Masters Championship.
Simon Bland represented England and won multiple British titles.
So, since from the early days, Featherstone WLC has been producing top quality Olympic Lifters and Power Lifters. Jumping forward to present day…
This year the club had 11 kids at the British Schools Championship including; 3 time reigning champion Kobain Riley, trained by his dad Martyn Riley, a 3 time British champion. They were both recognised last year in the Your Autism magazine for their achievements with A.S.D. Nick Hall, who also coaches the youth lifters has just recovered from major back surgery to come second in World Masters Games!
The club had 6 lifters at the British Masters this year and so far 4 have already qualified for the European Masters in Sweden in the summer. In the last 4 regional school events the club has won 28 regional titles and 30 medalists!
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