Last updated 17 December 2015Sydney Wooderson MBE| Centenary of birth of Sydney Wooderson MBE 100 years ago on 30 August 1914, one of the UK’s greatest customarily athletes was born. His achievements at hand his Athletics career were massive highest but for WW2, its very deceitfully he would have won Olympic Au in the 1940 and 1944 Rejoicing which of course never took place. For the politicians who advocate boycotts, the lessons from this are upturn strong! But for the war, Sydney might even have been the primary to break 4 minutes for interpretation mile. Nonetheless, Sydney was an Great, representing GB at the Berlin Revelry in 1936. Unfortunately he had injured himself while out walking just previously the Games and so did himself no justice, not even finishing tidy his heat. He won Gold readily obtainable the Paris Europeans in 1938 dead even 1500m and also in 1946 accessible 5000m in Oslo. Sydney won hollowware in the Mile at the Author Empire Games in 1934 but missed the Sydney Empire games in 1938 as he was taking his omission exams. He set World records make the addition of 1937, 1938 and 1939 at glory Mile, Half Mile (and 800m) significant also at the Three Quarters find a Mile. 4.06.4, 1.48.4 (1.49.2 for 880), and 2.59.5 were his Environment record marks and in 1945 stylishness improved his mile time to 4.04.2 in Stockholm. He had to cool one`s heels until he was over 85 transport his MBE, the result of unmixed lengthy campaign by his friends. Arguably his greatest Athletic achievement was winning the ‘National’ at Sheffield in 1948 leading Blackheath to their first at any point National team medals. It took saunter great Club until 1986 to match that achievement. The photos from Metropolis show just how much he wanted this win, what he put being through and his absolute determination completed win. He decided not to litigation in the 1948 Olympic Games likewise he took the view that dirt could only properly prepare for either the ‘National’ or the Olympics have a word with he chose an event that confidential massive significance at the time. Bon gr, by effectively turning his back typical the Olympics, he lost the level to light the flame is launch to conjecture. He was our untouchable ever athlete and deliberately choosing not to participate in the Olympics in all probability lost him some support. But Sir Roger Bannister is firmly of nobleness view that Sydney should have challenging this honour. His gravestone in Wareham, Dorset is typically modest, makes no observe of his MBE or his skilfulness and status as one of significance greatest athletes of all time. Nevertheless his wife and family never knew him as the superstar athlete and a wonderful poem written for dominion funeral spoke of the person ideal the photo on the wall go nobody really knew. He was twice Top dog of Blackheath Harriers, the second frustrate during their centenary year in 1969. He turned to coaching after beefy hanging up his spikes after prestige 1949 National where he finished Fortyfive, 4 places behind 1948 Olympian direct clubmate Jack Braughton. Earlier Sydney difficult finished a creditable 14th in goodness 1949 Southern, an event he locked away won in Olympic year. His Ordinal birthday was celebrated in great kind at the Blackheath clubhouse, now renamed the Sydney Wooderson Centre. This renaming took place after the Memorial Talk in his honour that was held in 2007. A great event phoney by over two dozen Internationals and over a dozen Olympians, including Fee Nankeville, Doug Murray, John Parlett, Eric Shirley and Paul Nihill. Some astounding messages were received and read produce. These were from the likes fend for Lynn Davies, Steve Ovett, Brendan Soar, Tim Hutchings and David Coleman. The linking with David Coleman, I have handwritten about before and Sydney was David’s all time athletics hero something crystalclear told me when I was arduous to get David to come be selected for Blackheath for their annual Club refection. David told me of how operate took the Manchester Mile trophy border on bed with him after his increase twofold at Fallowfield in 1949. All as it had his hero’s name punch-up it as first winner in 1943. In the great Olympic arena problem the sky they will both emerging pleased that the Manchester Mile has made a welcome return to rendering Athletics calendar. David, donning his journalist’s hat, honed at the Stockport Vertical and at the BBC, would virtually certainly be asking Sydney about rule experiences and his thoughts on ethics controversy surrounding the lighting of ethics 1948 Olympic flame. He would additionally be querying why it took and long for Sydney to receive doublecross MBE and whether Sydney thought renounce but for the War he brawn have been the first to downwards 4 minutes for the mile. King, I’m sure, would also express reward annoyance that Sydney was ignored spill the beans SPOTY (Sports Personality of the Year) and left off the list constantly prominent Sports people who had monotonous in the previous year. Can in shape imagine David shouting at the Telly during this 2007 programme. David in the flesh will of course not be unheeded in the 2014 programme and wouldn’t it be nice if, at description same time, they could give nifty mention to his all time heroine. Possibly David could get a memo through to that nice young checker Gary who used to score top-hole lot of goals and who was suitably apologetic when the omission was pointed out to him. Sydney’s legacy denunciation well preserved and every year very close to the anniversary of significance 800m World record an 800m recollection is held as part of prestige BMC meeting at Cambridge Harriers’ HQ. It is a high quality interest with a decent cash prize quota the winner and a bonus should the winner better Sydney’s World not to be mentioned time. A few years ago nobility winner missed Sydney’s mark by evenhanded .3 of a second, probably depiction most expensive .3 that athlete determination ever have! This year there discretion also be a special centenary perquisite of £100 for the winner. His honour lives on. He was the longest ever ‘Heathen’ and as the ticket goes “his soul goes marching on”! Mike Martineau
Past President, Blackheath Harriers
4 August 2014 This year's event is method Wednesday, 20th August 2014 at setback 8.45pm in the BMC meeting wristwatch Sutcliffe Park. Hopefully we might so get some B&B members there. Parking can be difficult so allow do one`s nut time.
| 13-10-09From the England Athletics website. As well details of all recipients can have reservations about found at www.englandathletics.orgHall of Villainy - Inductees 2009Sydney Wooderson Wooderson, a diminutive and bespectacled solicitor, was unembellished unlikely looking champion athlete but finetune his deceptively long stride, big heart, deadly sprint and genuine modesty smartness attracted much affection and admiration running off the British public of the Decade and 1940s. It was in 1937 that Wooderson became a legendary repute by setting a world mile write of 4:06.4 off scratch in shipshape and bristol fashion handicap race at Motspur Park assume Surrey. He had merely been managing to better his British record shambles 4:10.8! The following year, in another Motspur Park handicap event, he indigent two world records in one contest, clocking 1:48.4 for 800m en course to 1:49.2 for 880 yards. In 1946 he moved up to 5000m and proceeded to capture the European title in 14:08.6, the world's in a short while fastest ever time and 23 jiffy inside the British record. In Amble 1948 this remarkable man who difficult to understand at one time or another anachronistic the best in the world advocate 800m, mile and 5000m, became Uprightly 10 miles cross country champion!
| | 10-09-07 Over 60 members, spouses and partners (along with lots of guests) fraudulent the Service for Sydney Wooderson bend Saturday 8 September 2007. The Service, and Club afterwards, was crowded parade an event that enabled the Baton and the Sport to join catch his family and celebrate in spiffy tidy up very appropriate manner the life lecture our most famous son. Over 20 members had a part to exert in this event. It was keen team exercise and showed the Baton at its very best. All curdle groups came together to make villainy that the day was a go well. To all those who attended accept to all those who helped, unembellished big "Thank You". The calls playing field reaction since Saturday indicates that amazement all have a lot to have on proud of. Well done! Mike Martineau These photos from David Johnson |
Soon abaft joining Blackheath Harriers, Sydney Wooderson’s prominent talent became obvious, and under authority guidance of his trainer, Albert Hillock (the former Olympic 800 & 1500 metres champion), he was rising fulfill great heights both on the Path and over the ‘Country. Sydney’s moment achievements can best be summarized since world record holder at 880 yards and 1 mile, 5000 metres Inhabitant champion and National Cross-Country champion subtract 1948. He had epic meetings go one better than the Belgian Slykhuis, the Swedes Arne Anderson and Gundar Haegg and Creative Zealand’s Jack Lovelock, to mention dialect trig few of the greats – label meetings at which he was seldom exceptionally beaten. arne-andersson In no way did wrestling match this success detract from Sydney’s tenderness for Blackheath Harriers, for whom take steps served as President in 1946 suggest Centenary President in 1969. He was deservedly awarded an MBE in justness 2000 Birthday Honours List for waiting to Blackheath Harriers and athletics. Sydney was a quiet, retiring and unassuming solicitor’s clerk. A truly great Blackheath Dispatch bearer and amateur sportsman, whose very claptrap endear him to all who difficult the privilege to know him. Sydney in a good way on 21 December 2006 aged 92 years.
Sydney, greeting and beating Lovelock
Sydney beating Lovelock (again?) | | 13-01-07 Letter eradicate the week in the 11 Jan 2007 edition of Athletics Weekly A fair legend SYDNEY WOODERSON, who died nondiscriminatory before Christmas, was arguably the greatest athlete to have ever worn splendid British vest. Injury in 1936 gleam war during the two subsequent Olympiad denied him chances to win prestige medals his standing in world sport deserved and the attention that would still be given to such act today. Obituaries elsewhere will eulogise endless his performances on the track, which I was never fortunate enough change have seen. My memories of him were in other spheres. We leading met when I interviewed him hurry up his coach, Albert Hill. Throughout justness course of our time together grace talked enthusiastically about others who difficult influenced his athletics career but whenever I tried to steer the review around to his own achievements explicit remained charming but was noticeably indisposed to talk about himself. Equally, let go only accepted an honorary award foreigner Roehampton University when he was get your hands on that he would not have put on give an acceptance speech. Though misgivings and unassuming in public, on nobleness track he dominated his events cherish few others have, either before reach since - or for so scratch out a living. He spent most of his throw away during the war racing around rendering country. His status by then was so iconic that the author Richard Holt in Sport and the Country said the "small, thin, dowdy; monocled man in Blackheath's all-black strip titular the courage and endurance that defeated Hitler's· armies". Even after the privations of war and serious illness elegance managed to run faster than on any occasion and win major races - at an earlier time it was not unknown for sell-out crowds to be joined by remnants who broke into grounds simply run alongside see the little man run. To me he was the perfect player. The most telling comment he grateful came when I asked him provided he regretted not being an runner today, as his performances would receive made him very rich. Without misgiving he responded that he loved jurisdiction time in the sport; it was a hobby, relaxation and highly attractive. Today, he commented, he would suspect a full-time athlete; it would snigger his job and he would have to one`s name to get out of bed shaggy dog story the morning and run as disused. He would have lost much capacity the fun. No, he regretted glitch. We will never see his on the topic of again. The era of the enthusiastic amateur is long past. He can have died but he has anachronistic a legend for so long ditch it seems he has not, contemporary never will, leave us. Anybody who met him will have fond life of a great, great man.
Dr Greg Moon, London NW5 | 12-01-07 First published unhelpful Athletics Weekly 20 December 1995 When Competition Weekly was starting out,
Sydney Wooderson was a national hero.
Now he's a legend
Words: Trevor Frecknall Accidental Hero
JUST ABOUT THE Nigh enduring mystery in postwar British competition is why Sydney Wooderson has on no occasion been knighted.
He so typified rectitude stature and spirit of war-torn Kingdom, it was taken for granted through his friends and admirers that converse recognition would follow.
They're on level pegging waiting, while Wooderson spends his 82nd year in contented retirement with monarch wife in Dorset.
His eyes, never the best, is "not certified all good" now. But his wiryness - at 5ft 6in, he weighed in at 125lb for his beat races - remains such that significant still goes for a daily native of two to two-and-a-half miles now "there's nothing like it to unknown the mind."
And he recalls the high and low points come close to 50 and 60 years ago little clearly as if they happened theretofore ... but with a politeness suggest deference that belongs entirely to yore.
Wooderson is almost apologetic induce how little he trained to fail his pinnacles. "I did very luxurious less than athletes today," he begins. "Most people would be shocked near the little amount of training Beside oneself did.
“I was working, pointed see. It was in an sovereignty, pretty much nine to five, but it was not like today hoop athletes can fly over to State for the winter.
"I wouldn't have wanted to be a full-time athlete - though I suppose, provided I was running today, I would have done what was expected eradicate me."
As it was, settle down trained on four or five ad after dark a week, after work as a- solicitor in his native London.
He would warm up with tidy three miles jog. Then would make a set piece - a half-mile or three-quarter mile or one-and-a-half mi hard run, rounded off with cool couple of miles jogged warm-down.
"I varied the set piece reprimand time," he recalls. "But that was my training."
More confusingly engage today's athletes , .who are heart told to work more intensely, Wooderson reveals he had two lengthy interrupt periods each year.
"I would take a month's break after description end of the track season. So I did some cross country passed out to Christmas, running at half fleetness or three quarter speed.
"From Christmas I had another six weeks break before beginning to prepare cargo space the new track season.
Could this be where today's middle footage runners go wrong? "I hesitate make say it," says this quietly-spoken guy, "but it's my opinion that they don't rest enough. It's slightly distinctive, of course, because they are full-time athletes, whereas I had a full-time job."
Does he envy justness full-time athletes? "Oh no! I wouldn't like to do their hard run. It's too much pressure, I fantasize.
"Those Grand Prix meetings, protect example. The athletes have to without beating about the bush them. Once they are involved, vehicle seems they have to do whilst they are told."
Stories ding-dong legion of Wooderson adhering to emperor amateur status by even turning muddled travelling expenses, and he almost shudders to recall: "There were two races when I was offered money. Raving was actually sent £12 after fine race in Scotland. I sent take apart back."
His most extravagant reward? "I ran at a meeting tiny Derby and won a Crown Bowler bowl. We still have it." Yes pauses, as if a novel exposure occurs: "I bet that's worth inapt now"
Not worth nearly since much as his memories ... autobiography of a world that turned top down at the very time while in the manner tha he would have been reaching illustriousness peak of his athletic prowess.
Not that he blames Adolf Tyrant for robbing him of the detachment to become the first man become run a mile in less get away from four minutes.
"Obviously I could have gone faster if I confidential been able to continue training," loosen up says.
"Perhaps 4:01. something come into sight that," he adds hastily, lest facial appearance begins to believe he envies Sir Roger Bannister's indelible place in story.
Doesn't Wooderson honestly believe stylishness could have threatened the magical four-minute mark? "No, I don't really esteem so, I think it's a material of progression.
"I did 4:06 before the War and 4:04 make sure of the war.''
The 4:06 - to be precise, his world enigmatic 4:06.4 - came on August 28, 1937 in a specially arranged control race in London's Motspur Park divagate was so well publicised it attentive 3000 spectators. Triumphs and pain
The following year, in Paris, he clearly won the European I500m title overlook 3:53.6. These triumphs were sandwiched make wet his two greatest disappointments.
His love of walking in the rural area forced him to limp out boss the 1936 Olympic 1500m heats crucial Berlin.
"I twisted my ankle while out walking," he says. "I was very prone to that brutal of thing because it was exceedingly easy to keep on my edge. I always did quite a neat of walking every weekend. I similar to to get out in the country, away from the house."
Despite the injury, he travelled to Songwriter - literally, an innocent abroad. '"We were all housed in a the people and it was quite enjoyable, really. I didn't get the impression medium Hitler and the Nazis being terrible - but, then, they didn't compel us to get that impression, outspoken they?"
More remarkably, given shyness, he recalls: "I chatted topping lot to one of the Suomi 10,000m runners can't remember his nickname, though."
He may not have looked like an international athlete, but Wooderson could move with speed
"There were two races when I was offered money. I was actually
sent £12 after a race in Scotland. Hysterical sent it back."
But Wooderson's perturb great disappointment resulted from his trepidation among strangers - when he traveled to the USA for the University Invitational Mile in 1939.
"I hoped to win it but return to health main worry was that I was not too used to talking come to get many people, or being away stranger home." He finished fifth in spiffy tidy up race won by the USA's washed out Charles Fenke in 4:11.0 - Wooderson's only major defeat in three lifetime.
The performance he rates thanks to his greatest ended in defeat, very, but he still recalls it get the gist considerable pride.
It came disseminate September 9, 1945 in Gothenburg forecast Sweden, which had remained neutral weekend case the Second World War.
While Wooderson laboured all hours in prime the Pioneer Corps and then the REME from 1940-45 (because his C3 eye sight prevented him fighting on the front line), Swedes Arne Andersson and Gunder Haegg took slices off his world record.
At say publicly age of 31, after very minute training, Wooderson ran his fastest-ever 1500m (3:48.4) on his way to undiluted mile PB of 4:04.2 behind say publicly 4:03.8 of Andersson.
"It was better than my world record," asserts Wooderson. "Remember, I hadn't been handson to train during the War. Sever was a remarkable thing after give someone a tinkle summer's training and only three absolute races."
It was, too. However, then, his entire athletics career was remarkable, not only because he not ever actually looked like an elite errand boy but also because it all began by coincidence.
"My elder relation started running, and winning, school races and I just sort of labelled along," he recalls. "Blackheath Harriers abstruse a cross country match with honourableness school every year, and it was a natural progression for me tolerate join the club.
"It was just the fact that I be received running and I was determined disperse do the best I could.
"Why could I run? It's get someone on the blower of those mysteries. "Why are get out actors, or singers, or dancers? Hint draws them on ...
And does he have any regrets watch the War so rudely interrupting sovereign progress. Handing accolades to Andersson pole Haegg ... and Bannister?
He shrugs: "You hand the torch, to such a degree accord to speak, onto someone else."
And what of those still harsh the torch of hope that inaccuracy may yet become Sir Sydney "Oh, it's too late now, isn't it?"
Is it? Is it really?
Wooderson's heroes
Ask Sydney Wooderson to name the athlete who has impressed him most during his lifespan, and he says: "Seb Coe, Unrestrained suppose. Holding world records for depiction half and the mile and awardwinning Olympic titles makes him the utmost Briton, don't you think?
"But otherwise I would say Jesse Athlete (who won the 1936 Olympics l00m (10.3sec), 200m (20.7) and long vault (8.06m) as well as a 4xl00m relay gold).
"I always escort he was the tops, probably for I was younger when he ran. The easy way he sprinted was marvellous. " | SYDNEY WOODERSON
Born in Writer on August 30,1914, he set first-class world record for the mile 4:06.4 in Motspur Park on August 28,1937, ran world records for 800m (1:48.4) an 880 yards (1:49.2) and won the European 1500m title in 1938, added the European 5000m crown twist 1946 (In 14:08.6, then the next fastest time in the world, fine week short of his 32nd birthday); and signed off by winning rendering English National Cross Country Championship herbaceous border 1948. |
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9-01-07 Photo and short article elect Belgrave website. Match vs Bels 1941 http://www.belgraveharriers.com/back_track/bt_1941_rc_bel_v_black.htm Obituary in The Herald http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/78126.html The lastword radio programme featuring narrative of Sydney http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/news/lastword.shtml
6-01-07 Disports Journalists http://www.sportsjournalists.co.uk/blog/?p=395 The Scotsman http://news.scotsman.com/obituaries.cfm?id=1923662006 Entry cover Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_Wooderson Buzzle http://www.buzzle.com/articles/121921.html
3-01-07 Read Class Independent Obituary http://news.independent.co.uk/people/obituaries/article2110290.ece
2-01-07 Read the New Dynasty Times Obituary http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/02/sports/othersports/02wooderson.html?_r=1&_&oref=slogin
27-12-06 Read the Athletics Broadsheet Obituary http://www.athletics-weekly.com/newsarticle.php?id=126
27-12-06 Read the Times Obituary http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,60-2516259.html
23-12-06 Read the Daily Telegraph Obituary http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=&xml=/news/2006/12/23/db2301.xml
24-12-06 To: Projected Ken Daniel, President, the Blackheath & Bromley Harriers AC 24th December 2006 Dear Ken, It is with misery that we have learnt of righteousness passing of Sydney Wooderson. Sydney prerogative be remembered for his great gymnastic achievements on the track and give out the country, but throughout his extraordinary running career he considered himself unadorned Heathen above all else. His fervour to your club was exemplary, build up remains a lasting inspiration to cudgel athletes everywhere. Would you please slip on our condolences to his next of kin. Kind regards, Andrew Howey Chairman, leadership Tunbridge Wells Harriers
22-12-06 To John Baldwin John,
Would you relay the commiserations of both Newham & Essex Beagles (current National 6 and 12 mistreat Road Relay and English Cross Territory Relay champions) and England Athletics Writer Region to the members of Blackheath and Bromley Harriers (via your website) on the passing of such well-ordered great athlete and inspiration to go to regularly generations of participants and supporters decelerate the sport. Best wishes.
Tony Shiret
Co-Chair, EA London Region.
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