Tribute to cycling hero
TRIBUTES have been paid to an Olympic cyclist from Manchester, who has died aged 90.
Alan Geldard won a bronze medal in the team pursuit at the 1948 Games in London.
He was famously rewarded for his exploits by being sacked from his job after having taken time off to prepare for, and compete in, the competition.
However, Alan – originally from Rochdale and who later moved to south Manchester – remained a fanatical cyclist throughout his life becoming a coach, mentor and official at a number of clubs.
He was also an official torchbearer in the lead up to the 2012 Olympics in London and was an advocate, and regular face, at the National Cycling Centre at the Velodrome near the Etihad Stadium when it opened in 1994, ahead of the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
The last surviving member of the four-man medal-winning team from 1948, Alan died on February 26 at Salford Royal Hospital surrounded by his family and friends after suffering a cerebral haemorrhage.
He leaves behind his wife of 69 years Enid, 90, as well as sons Roger, 64, Keith, 61 and daughter Carol, 60, and three grandchildren.
Alan became a national hero along with teammates David Ricketts, Tommy Godwin and Wilfred Waters when they won bronze 70 years ago.
Alan married childh ood sweetheart Enid soon after and went on his honeymoon.
But when he returned he discovered he had lost his job as a commercial artist as he had been away for too long.
In 2012, he said: “That was my reward for winning a medal for my country.”
There was also a mix-up and he only received his Abbotsford Park, Manchester medal in the post. Wheelers – where
Alan also competed in he was a contemporary of Helsinki in 1952 and Melbourne the legendary Reg Harris in 1956, and made – Dinnington Racing Club, a four-month trip the Altrincham Road club to New Zealand and the Westmead Team for the 88. Empire Alan was also a talented Games – drummer and played in a the forerunner number of bands. of Carol said: “Everything the Commonwealth he turned his hand to he gave it his all and was good at. He was just Games – that kind of person. And and won he definitely passed that numerous work ethic on to us. national “He always loved championships. cycling. Him and my mum moved to Withington to Daughter be near the Fallowfield Carol said Alan’s family track. He was always and friends were involved in some way, extremely proud of everything even after he finished racing, he had achieved, on he was a coach, mentor and off the track. and official.
Throughout his life he “He was a massive was a member of a number champion of cycling here of clubs including in Manchester and he was over the moon when the Velodrome opened, he was a regular visitor.
“He was always very humble about it and it’s lovely for us to know he inspired so many people.”
Alan suffered a stroke in 2001. He worked so hard on his rehabilitation that he managed to start cycling again.
“As well as being a brilliant athlete he was also a fantastic dad, supported us in everything we did and that’s how we’ll always remember him,” Carol added.
Alan’s funeral was due to take place on Friday at The Old Chapel at Manchester Crematorium.