Athletes did a runner and formed their own club
THESE young athletes were all members of Dudley Harriers, who came about as an offshoot of their more famous neighbours a couple of miles down the road.
Dudley Harriers were formed in 1924, when a small group of athletes broke away from Tipton Harriers, considering they had enough runners and jumpers to form their own club. Their first secretary was Matt Weaver, who is pictured here fifth from left in the middle row. Matt got the ball rolling by putting ten shillings of his own money into the kitty,
The club’s headquarters was the Gipsy’s Tent pub, at the junction of Stafford Street and Steppingstone Street at the top of the town – so there’s every chance that this picture was taken in the pub’s back yard.
The club also had a women’s section, which was formed twelve years later in 1936. Among their high achievers were Joan Taylor and Betty Sankey, who won medals in competition with other clubs for cross country and road and track walking; her greatest achievement was finishing third in the national One-mile Walk at White City just after the Second World War. ■ Can you tell us anything more about Dudley Harriers? Email gjones@blackcountrybugle.co.uk, or give us a call on 01384 889000.