Each year the Cheshire County AA make an award to a person who has given long service to Cheshire County athletics in memory of John Young who was an outstanding servant to the County over many years.

This year’s award goes to a person who joined his first athletic club 66 years ago and is still a member and its Treasurer, despite being banned from athletics by his school for joining the club.

Our recipient competed at 440 and 880 yards and later in cross country and road running, remaining active as a runner until in his 60’s.  He has officiated at countless track and field meetings and also at many cross country events where he has operated at National level and at road races - all of which include numerous Cheshire championships.  In addition he has not been afraid of becoming involved in administration, and in addition to his club involvement has been treasurer of the Liverpool and District Cross Country Union for many years.  He has also had the honour of being President of the Northern Cross Country Association when the Mens Northern championships were last held at Arrowe Park (Birkenhead) previously in Cheshire.

As he says he is Cheshire born and Cheshire bred, but a political decision in 1974 caused consternation.  With the creation of a Merseyside Metropolitan County in the major county boundary changes of that year, he found that the lady members of his club were part of Merseyside while the male members retained allegiance to Cheshire.  Our recipient retained his involvement with the Cheshire County Mens Association until 1992 when the creation of a single body for athletics in the North - that is, the North of England Athletic association - effectively ruled that all of his club was in Merseyside although by then Merseyside did not exist.

Our recipient has continued to maintain a close interest in the athletic affairs of Cheshire (he is a vice-president of our Association), and one of his greatest wishes is that his part of the Country again becomes part of Cheshire.  

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The recipient of the John Young award for 2002 is Ramsay Hewson of Wallasey AC, presented by CCAA chairman, Bob Lynch