Club history

East Cheshire Harriers was founded in 1922 with the amalgamation of Dukinfield Harriers and Tintwistle Harriers

In 2022 a Centenary History was written and published by Glenn Piper. The printing was made possible by a generous donation from Wade Cooper, one of our long standing members. Free copies were given to all Senior members and a copy deposited at Tameside Local Studies and Archives Centre. It can be viewed there during opening hours. It is also possible to purchase a copy online

Below are a few brief extracts from the history of our club.

In 1922 Dukinfield joined forces with another local club, Tintwistle Harriers to form East Cheshire Harriers. Tommy Holden was appointed secretary of the new club and held this post until 1935 when he became landlord of a local pub, the Crown Inn at Stalybridge. His interest in the Club never faded and he remained a Vice-President and Life Member until his death in the late 1950′s.

It was also in the 1920′s that Bill Fellows joined the club. Whilst never a leading athlete, Bill was a driving force within the club throughout his life. He held various offices within the club over a period of 50 years and continued to compete until his 79th birthday. Bills unique contribution to East Cheshire was recognised when in 1979 a new club house was named “The Bill Fellows Club House”

By 1946 the old club house on the Springs was demolished and the club moved into premises on Stalybridge Road, Cockbrook previously occupied by the Grafton Tennis Club. The wooden building needed repairs and the old tennis courts were overgrown but the place had potential. The task of realising this potential was given to a new member, Tommy Lees. Tommy had joined East Cheshire from Radcliffe Harriers and being an electrician and general handyman re-wired the building and installed a new bath and showers, aided (or handicapped) by enthusiastic support from a group of youngsters who had just joined the club and were looking for something to do during the school holidays. The new facilities enabled the club to host the Manchester & District Cross Country League and helped to raise the profile of athletics within the area.

Between 1947 and 1950 East Cheshire developed from being an average local club to being recognised as a major force at national level. The first person to make his mark was Jack Price, a boy from Hyde who joined in 1947 and went on to win the English Cross Country Youth title in 1948.

Other members who joined during this period and went on to win honours at County level included, Ivan Bradbury, Tom Smith. The Oldham brothers Eric and Neville, Gerry Haynes,Walter Brown, Nev Frost and in November 1949, Johnny Wild.
Another new member in 1949 was Fred Marsland. Fred had been an English International Cross Country runner in the late 1930′s, competing for a Manchester club that failed to survive the war. By the time he joined East Cheshire his best days were behind him but he knew what it took to succeed at athletics and he became an inspirational coach. He helped obtain agreement for club members to use the track at Denton Cricket Club and for the first time training on the track throughout the year became the norm for our middle and long distance runners.

Move to Richmond Street

The present clubhouse was opened in 1979.

In 1963 the Club was forced to find new HQ when a fire destroyed the old premises. Ashton-under-Lyne Council came to the rescue providing temporary accommodation in the Municipal Changing rooms at Richmond Street. At the same time the Council constructed a new track adjacent to the changing rooms but, due to lack of space, made it a five lap to the mile track which was of limited value.

In the middle seventies it became obvious that the club house was no longer adequate to house the increased membership. Tom Smith, who was by then Club President, launched a bid for Sports Council funding to build new premises on the existing site. Another member, John Allcock, drew up plans, a series of fund raising events were organised and in July 1979 a new club house was opened by Robert Sheldon, the local M.P. The club house was named after Bill Fellows, a Life Member, then approaching 80 and still competing in Vets events. Bill died in 1980 but the contribution he made to East Cheshire cannot be overstated.

The interest in athletics continued throughout the 80′s and membership at East Cheshire continued to grow. Tameside Council recognised the importance of athletics in the area and in 1987 began to construct a new athletics stadium at Richmond Street. The stadium was opened on the 16th April 1988 by Robert Sheldon MP, with East Cheshire represented by Club President, Gerry Haynes. The new 400 metre track had an all-weather surface and the stadium include provision for all field events. Flood lighting was provided enabling year round use of the facilities. During the the 10 years that followed Club members and teams won titles and honours in the world of athletics at both local and national level.