Club History & Roll of Honour
Mossley Hill Archery Club is a small section of the parent club, Mossley Hill Athletic Club situated in a leafy suburb of South Liverpool. We can be found on the Field of Hope, to the rear of the parish church. The club was formerly known as Liverpool Archery Club and was founded in 1949, joining Mossley Hill Athletic Club in 1960, and incorporating in 1974.
Mossley Hill Archery Club is a small section of the parent club, Mossley Hill Athletic Club situated in a leafy suburb of South Liverpool. We can be found on the Field of Hope, to the rear of the parish church. The club was formerly known as Liverpool Archery Club and was founded in 1949, joining Mossley Hill Athletic Club in 1960, and incorporating in 1974.
First 150 years |
A Skip through the archives: |
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1781: March, Mersey Bowmen founded. If this club had not dropped archery, in favour of tennis, it would be the longest existant archery club in this country, and older by a month than the Royal Toxophilite Society.
1861: G.N.A.S. founded in Liverpool at a meeting held in the Adelphi Hotel. 1949: May, Liverpool Archery Club founded, the shooting grounds were at Earle Football Club, Church Road. Wavertree, following a proposal by Mr F. Pugh. Elected officers, Mr George Horn as Chairman, Mrs Barbara Ruston, Secretary and Mr B.A. Fell as treasurer. Fees £1p.a. |
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1950's & 1960's
1950: thirteen members.
1951: L.A.C. badge designed. Mr. E. H. Hawksley sets British national record for a St. George round with a score of 489. 26 members.
1952: club coach elected Mr Ernest Handcock.
1953: club tassel designed and registered, green and red quartered with silver cord. 23 members. Southport Archers invite clubs to shoot the Frost-Bite round, adopted by the British Archer magazine, and still shot for as a monthly postal match during November to March.
1954: Robb Wilton cup instituted for Gents championship, to honour their president, purchased by the membership. Robb Wilton was a renowned comedian of music hall, radio and screen. He was a regular at the Black Bull pub, Gateacre, which the club used as their ‘gathering place’ and at which they shot indoors over the winter, and used the gardens for short range shooting during the summer. The Landlord was a Mr George Formby, (not the ukulele player) who donated a shield which the club still shoots for. Liverpool Arrow donated to M.A.A.
1955: York round selected as the Gents championship round.
1956: fees £1-10s.p.a. (£1.50p).
1957: Grounds moved to University fields at Wyndcote, Mossley Hill. Robb Wilton dies, new president Mr James Pownall C.C.
1958: Rodney James Fleming (Jim), sets British national record for a Windsor round 108-858-61, and Short Western 95-763-58.
1959: Ground move to Oak Farm, Springwood Avenue, Allerton. Jim Fleming awarded the Worshipful Company of Bowyers medal.
1960: ground move to Mossley Hill Athletic Club.
1961: Jim Fleming, shoots for British Team, team 2nd individual 8th. Bill Wales wins the Scorton Arrow. The Scorton is the oldest competed for sporting trophy in the country, 1673.
1962: fees £2-10-0.p.a.
1963: fees held at £2-10-0.p.a.
1964: a beginner’s bow purchased.
1965: due to ongoing problems, new members were to be informed that they are under ‘an obligation’ to assist in the putting out, taking in and maintenance of equipment.
1966: two members qualify as ‘instructors’. Ron Sheil wins the Scorton Arrow. An error on the part of the previous year’s winner, in not retuning the Arrow to the meeting, led to a decision that in future the Arrow must ‘remain in Yorkshire’.
1967: members objected to the proposed increase in national fees by the G.N.A.S. in an attempt to cover the envisaged cost of their ‘two year crash programme’. There had been a depletion in membership following the paraplegic members joining a specialised club for their needs.
1968: a complaint received from Southport relating to the length of grass on our shooting area.
1969: vandals break into the storage room and cause damage. Balance sheet down to £8-3-10d. Mossley Hill Athletic Club start a ‘pavilion fund’.
1951: L.A.C. badge designed. Mr. E. H. Hawksley sets British national record for a St. George round with a score of 489. 26 members.
1952: club coach elected Mr Ernest Handcock.
1953: club tassel designed and registered, green and red quartered with silver cord. 23 members. Southport Archers invite clubs to shoot the Frost-Bite round, adopted by the British Archer magazine, and still shot for as a monthly postal match during November to March.
1954: Robb Wilton cup instituted for Gents championship, to honour their president, purchased by the membership. Robb Wilton was a renowned comedian of music hall, radio and screen. He was a regular at the Black Bull pub, Gateacre, which the club used as their ‘gathering place’ and at which they shot indoors over the winter, and used the gardens for short range shooting during the summer. The Landlord was a Mr George Formby, (not the ukulele player) who donated a shield which the club still shoots for. Liverpool Arrow donated to M.A.A.
1955: York round selected as the Gents championship round.
1956: fees £1-10s.p.a. (£1.50p).
1957: Grounds moved to University fields at Wyndcote, Mossley Hill. Robb Wilton dies, new president Mr James Pownall C.C.
1958: Rodney James Fleming (Jim), sets British national record for a Windsor round 108-858-61, and Short Western 95-763-58.
1959: Ground move to Oak Farm, Springwood Avenue, Allerton. Jim Fleming awarded the Worshipful Company of Bowyers medal.
1960: ground move to Mossley Hill Athletic Club.
1961: Jim Fleming, shoots for British Team, team 2nd individual 8th. Bill Wales wins the Scorton Arrow. The Scorton is the oldest competed for sporting trophy in the country, 1673.
1962: fees £2-10-0.p.a.
1963: fees held at £2-10-0.p.a.
1964: a beginner’s bow purchased.
1965: due to ongoing problems, new members were to be informed that they are under ‘an obligation’ to assist in the putting out, taking in and maintenance of equipment.
1966: two members qualify as ‘instructors’. Ron Sheil wins the Scorton Arrow. An error on the part of the previous year’s winner, in not retuning the Arrow to the meeting, led to a decision that in future the Arrow must ‘remain in Yorkshire’.
1967: members objected to the proposed increase in national fees by the G.N.A.S. in an attempt to cover the envisaged cost of their ‘two year crash programme’. There had been a depletion in membership following the paraplegic members joining a specialised club for their needs.
1968: a complaint received from Southport relating to the length of grass on our shooting area.
1969: vandals break into the storage room and cause damage. Balance sheet down to £8-3-10d. Mossley Hill Athletic Club start a ‘pavilion fund’.
1970's & 1980's |
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1970: further vandalism to the club. A depletion in members.
1971: fire in club room, and all equipment stolen.
1972: M.H.A.C. introduce 'nominated and seconded proposed' membership forms.
1973: indoor venue secured at Vernon Sangster Sports Hall, Everton. Rod Lyons makes his first longbow.
1974; M.H.A.C. requests that L.A.C. drop its name and become a section of the main club, due to the head lease requiring that the ground cannot be sublet. This also required the club to inform Mr James Pownall C.C. that he could no longer be their president, as M.H.A.C. could not have two separate presidents. A design for the M.H.A.C. badge was requested by the club, the submitted designs were over ruled the club chairman in favour of a design he had produced, (a knight with sword). It was indicated that if the section wanted their own design they could! (The section design was of a roundel containing five floret rings, bound by an endless rope and having a target in the top most ring)
1975: hosts the Merseyside Archery Association annual championships. Mrs. J. Worthington, the wife of the M.H.A.C. chairman is invited to be ‘lady paramount’.
1976: membership 29. A new trophy is donated by Mr Ralph Goldman to replace the displaced Pownall Rose Bowl.
1977: Ron Sheil dies.
1978: depletion of members due to loss of juniors drifting into university and work life. Five members obtain ‘instructors’ certificates.
1979: Membership 29.
1971: fire in club room, and all equipment stolen.
1972: M.H.A.C. introduce 'nominated and seconded proposed' membership forms.
1973: indoor venue secured at Vernon Sangster Sports Hall, Everton. Rod Lyons makes his first longbow.
1974; M.H.A.C. requests that L.A.C. drop its name and become a section of the main club, due to the head lease requiring that the ground cannot be sublet. This also required the club to inform Mr James Pownall C.C. that he could no longer be their president, as M.H.A.C. could not have two separate presidents. A design for the M.H.A.C. badge was requested by the club, the submitted designs were over ruled the club chairman in favour of a design he had produced, (a knight with sword). It was indicated that if the section wanted their own design they could! (The section design was of a roundel containing five floret rings, bound by an endless rope and having a target in the top most ring)
1975: hosts the Merseyside Archery Association annual championships. Mrs. J. Worthington, the wife of the M.H.A.C. chairman is invited to be ‘lady paramount’.
1976: membership 29. A new trophy is donated by Mr Ralph Goldman to replace the displaced Pownall Rose Bowl.
1977: Ron Sheil dies.
1978: depletion of members due to loss of juniors drifting into university and work life. Five members obtain ‘instructors’ certificates.
1979: Membership 29.
1980: range orientation changed from south/north to north/south. Distance pegs set in ground. Postal match held with Oakleigh City Australia (no return score received). 24 members.
1981: Nick Brace chosen to attend pre-Olympic training. Pam Strettle and Lance Burn attain their Master Bowman classification.
1982: chairman Mr Nick Brace. Constitution changed so as to ‘hold committee meetings as and when required’. Fall in participation of domestic shoots.
1983: concerns raised at lack of coaching at Wednesday’s club nights.
1984: concerns raised that the section were becoming insular to main club, and that not enough use was being made of the range, risking other users to take over. Catering facilities introduced within the main club.
1985: donated trophy and introduction of ‘highest aggregate’ Frost-Bite score award. First winner Mr Rodney Lyons with a score of 1564.
1986: hosts M.A.A. annual championships. Continued concern for lack of use of the range. 17 members.
1987: unbeaten in the British Archer winter postal league. Stephen Franklin wins M.A.A. junior indoor championship.
1988: Pam Strettle wins Lancashire indoor championship. Pat Prentice 3rd place at National indoor championship. 25 members.
1989: metal container obtained for storage. Winners of M.A.A. summer league. 26 members.
1981: Nick Brace chosen to attend pre-Olympic training. Pam Strettle and Lance Burn attain their Master Bowman classification.
1982: chairman Mr Nick Brace. Constitution changed so as to ‘hold committee meetings as and when required’. Fall in participation of domestic shoots.
1983: concerns raised at lack of coaching at Wednesday’s club nights.
1984: concerns raised that the section were becoming insular to main club, and that not enough use was being made of the range, risking other users to take over. Catering facilities introduced within the main club.
1985: donated trophy and introduction of ‘highest aggregate’ Frost-Bite score award. First winner Mr Rodney Lyons with a score of 1564.
1986: hosts M.A.A. annual championships. Continued concern for lack of use of the range. 17 members.
1987: unbeaten in the British Archer winter postal league. Stephen Franklin wins M.A.A. junior indoor championship.
1988: Pam Strettle wins Lancashire indoor championship. Pat Prentice 3rd place at National indoor championship. 25 members.
1989: metal container obtained for storage. Winners of M.A.A. summer league. 26 members.
1990's & 2000's
1990: tennis section presents a scheme to take over part of the range, scheme proves to be non-viable. Shooting line paved. Pam Strettle gains M.B. classification.
1991: winners of M.A.A. summer league and British Archer winter postal league. Pam Strettle 1st and Allison Hanton 3rd and Matthew Kennerley 1st junior at M.A.A. indoor championships. 29 members.
1992: Mr Larry Kinrade elected as Honorary Member for his services to the section over many years. Compound team entered for B.A. winter leagues.
1993: indoor venue secured at the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, via Mr Barry Redden. 29 members.
1994: John Whitfield dies. Team event 1st at S.A.M.P.A. field archery tournament. Club Captaincy protocol dropped (the winner of the gents championship becomes club captain) due to multi bow styles being used.
1995: donation and introduction of a Longbow trophy to honour Mr Rodney Lyons.
1996: 14 longbows enter trophy shoot, winner Mr John Woollam.
1997: combining of trophy shoots to condense calendar.
1998: Caroline Jobson and Barry Marsden secure 9th and 10th places in the National field rankings. Pam Strettle and Barry Marsden selected for the English team squad. 39 members.
1999: celebration of the 50th anniversary of the foundation of Liverpool Archery Club and the 25 anniversary of the integration into M.H.A.C. Mr Mark Halliday wins three indoor championships, M.A.A., Lancashire and North Wales.
1991: winners of M.A.A. summer league and British Archer winter postal league. Pam Strettle 1st and Allison Hanton 3rd and Matthew Kennerley 1st junior at M.A.A. indoor championships. 29 members.
1992: Mr Larry Kinrade elected as Honorary Member for his services to the section over many years. Compound team entered for B.A. winter leagues.
1993: indoor venue secured at the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, via Mr Barry Redden. 29 members.
1994: John Whitfield dies. Team event 1st at S.A.M.P.A. field archery tournament. Club Captaincy protocol dropped (the winner of the gents championship becomes club captain) due to multi bow styles being used.
1995: donation and introduction of a Longbow trophy to honour Mr Rodney Lyons.
1996: 14 longbows enter trophy shoot, winner Mr John Woollam.
1997: combining of trophy shoots to condense calendar.
1998: Caroline Jobson and Barry Marsden secure 9th and 10th places in the National field rankings. Pam Strettle and Barry Marsden selected for the English team squad. 39 members.
1999: celebration of the 50th anniversary of the foundation of Liverpool Archery Club and the 25 anniversary of the integration into M.H.A.C. Mr Mark Halliday wins three indoor championships, M.A.A., Lancashire and North Wales.
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2000: portrait gallery presented to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of LAC and the 25th anniversary of its incorporation into MHAC.
2001: plans put in hand for an extension to the main club buildings
2002: introduction of novice mentoring.
2003: Child Protection Officer, appointed.
2004: Fees £40 sen. And £20 junior.
2005: adoption of new ‘club’ colours maroon and gold tops with black trousers or skirts.
2006: fees £45 sen. and £20 junior.
2007: two members qualify as level1 coaches, Mark Murphy and John Woollam.
2008: 300th recorded shooting for the Scorton Arrow, three members Rod Lyons, Vincent Ng and John Woollam attend the event, which was held at Scorton village, Yorkshire.
2009: Caroline Jobson, placed 2nd at the British Field Championships. Mark Halliday wins Northern Counties Field Championships, in Compound Unlimited class.
2001: plans put in hand for an extension to the main club buildings
2002: introduction of novice mentoring.
2003: Child Protection Officer, appointed.
2004: Fees £40 sen. And £20 junior.
2005: adoption of new ‘club’ colours maroon and gold tops with black trousers or skirts.
2006: fees £45 sen. and £20 junior.
2007: two members qualify as level1 coaches, Mark Murphy and John Woollam.
2008: 300th recorded shooting for the Scorton Arrow, three members Rod Lyons, Vincent Ng and John Woollam attend the event, which was held at Scorton village, Yorkshire.
2009: Caroline Jobson, placed 2nd at the British Field Championships. Mark Halliday wins Northern Counties Field Championships, in Compound Unlimited class.
2010's
010: initial plans for bowling green rejected.
2011: new lease signed by the city Council for 25 year period. John Woollam wins the English Field Archery Bare-Bow championship, and the Northern Counties title.
2012: John Woollam sets three Lancashire Bare-Bow field records, 24 Un-marked, 307, 24 Marked, 280, and 24 Combo, 562. Mark Murphy qualifies as level 2 coach.
2013: an EGM was held regarding the renewed interest in Stonehouse playing fields. There were takers to move home but too few offers of help set up the move or under take the work involved. The main club chairman expressed his appreciation that the section were not going to move. John Woollam sets two Lancashire Bare-Bow field records, 24 Mixed, 554, and 24 Mixed Double, 554
2014: John Woollam sets a Lancashire Bare-Bow indoor record, Stafford, 620.
2015: John Woollam sets a Lancashire Bare-Bow indoor record, FITA 25, 514. Mr Rob Monaghan registered as a Level 1 coach.
2016: membership 50. Fees £90 senior and £ 25 junior. Pressure put on shooting line capacity.
2017:Archery GB, requires grounds to be ‘registered’. Two new level one coaches registered Mrs Dianne Sorensen and Mr Aaron Cunliffe. 47 members, 37 senior and 11 juniors.
2018: Membership 44, senior fees £90, the additional coaching is assisting greatly in lifting numbers.
2019: Membership 54, senior fees £95, a continual building of members, with a capacity to almost optimal.
2011: new lease signed by the city Council for 25 year period. John Woollam wins the English Field Archery Bare-Bow championship, and the Northern Counties title.
2012: John Woollam sets three Lancashire Bare-Bow field records, 24 Un-marked, 307, 24 Marked, 280, and 24 Combo, 562. Mark Murphy qualifies as level 2 coach.
2013: an EGM was held regarding the renewed interest in Stonehouse playing fields. There were takers to move home but too few offers of help set up the move or under take the work involved. The main club chairman expressed his appreciation that the section were not going to move. John Woollam sets two Lancashire Bare-Bow field records, 24 Mixed, 554, and 24 Mixed Double, 554
2014: John Woollam sets a Lancashire Bare-Bow indoor record, Stafford, 620.
2015: John Woollam sets a Lancashire Bare-Bow indoor record, FITA 25, 514. Mr Rob Monaghan registered as a Level 1 coach.
2016: membership 50. Fees £90 senior and £ 25 junior. Pressure put on shooting line capacity.
2017:Archery GB, requires grounds to be ‘registered’. Two new level one coaches registered Mrs Dianne Sorensen and Mr Aaron Cunliffe. 47 members, 37 senior and 11 juniors.
2018: Membership 44, senior fees £90, the additional coaching is assisting greatly in lifting numbers.
2019: Membership 54, senior fees £95, a continual building of members, with a capacity to almost optimal.
2020's
2020: Season cut short even before it began due to a national lockdown as part of the Covid-19 restrictions to try and stop the spread of the virus.
2021: Second year of shooting restrictions due to Covid-19 .
2022: Shooting resumed.
2023: During this season we sadly lost a leading member to cancer. Mark Murphy was a key part of the section and had held positions of secretary and chairman at various times during his membership, he will be much missed. There was a steady return to the shooting line, and membership stood at 35, however there still remained a reluctance to participate in competitive shooting. Club fees were £100 for senior members, with reductions for disability and junior status members. Archery GB revised the handicap and classification schemes, and brought the indoor handicaps and classification in line with the outdoor schemes, introducing a numbered rating for handicaps as opposed to the lettered scheme.
2024: This year saw the combination of a number of anniversaries, it was Mossley Hill’s 100th year as a sports club and was celebrated with a diner and presentations from some of the younger sections, including archery. This coincided with archery’s 75th year since the of foundation of Liverpool Archery Club, and there are still members who were members of LAC, and the 50 anniversary of the amalgamation of LAC into the MHAC club. A shoot was held to celebrate these events and to remember Mark Murphy.
The membership stands at 35, and the fees are £100.
2021: Second year of shooting restrictions due to Covid-19 .
2022: Shooting resumed.
2023: During this season we sadly lost a leading member to cancer. Mark Murphy was a key part of the section and had held positions of secretary and chairman at various times during his membership, he will be much missed. There was a steady return to the shooting line, and membership stood at 35, however there still remained a reluctance to participate in competitive shooting. Club fees were £100 for senior members, with reductions for disability and junior status members. Archery GB revised the handicap and classification schemes, and brought the indoor handicaps and classification in line with the outdoor schemes, introducing a numbered rating for handicaps as opposed to the lettered scheme.
2024: This year saw the combination of a number of anniversaries, it was Mossley Hill’s 100th year as a sports club and was celebrated with a diner and presentations from some of the younger sections, including archery. This coincided with archery’s 75th year since the of foundation of Liverpool Archery Club, and there are still members who were members of LAC, and the 50 anniversary of the amalgamation of LAC into the MHAC club. A shoot was held to celebrate these events and to remember Mark Murphy.
The membership stands at 35, and the fees are £100.
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© 2024 by Mossley Hill Archery Club.
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