About
Welcome to the website of Andover Athletic Club
Andover Athletic Club was founded in 1950's and is based in Andover, Hampshire. We have a long and proud history of excellent coaching and members competing at both regional, national & International level
The club has both junior and senior members, competing in track & field (jumps and throws), cross country and road-running. The youngest boys and girls usually join us from the age of 9 years. We have groups in age bands until the athletes are old enough to choose to specialise in particular events.
As a club we are extremely fortunate in having dedicated and loyal coaches for all the athletic disciplines. These coaches voluntarily give their time and knowledge to help all members achieve the best standard possible.
The clubhouse is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6.00 pm. Actual start and finish times for each group is dependent upon the coach concerned. The clubhouse is located at the Charlton Sports and Leisure Centre in Andover (SP10 3LF)
Just come along to meet the coaches and athletes. Everyone is welcome. If you feel that you would like to speak with someone before attending, please telephone 01264 362 997.
History of the club
Andover Athletic Club was founded in 1950’s and was very successful, producing some exceptional athletes.
The following is taken from the Andover Advertiser of 31st August, 2012 within an article “Looking Back……1956″
Athletics also made a start that year as former Salisbury Athletic Club captain Cliff Bulpitt announced that he wanted to form Andover Amateur Athletics Club. Based at Batchelors Barn Road, Cliff trained children the year before at Kellys ground including 16-year-old David Webb from Little Park, the Wiltshire Cross Country Champion. He called a public meeting in February and 250 attended at the Old People’s Club in Suffolk Road. A week later, on February 12, the club was formed and the Borough Council stated that they would help with the new sports field off Vigo Road which would have a grass running track and would be an extension of London Road ground.
There were 80 athletes and 50 volunteers including young Webb who won the cross country at Parliament Fields from 250 starters.
Article from Andover Advertiser of 22nd March, 2013 “Nostalgia – A Look Back to 1959″:
The outdoor season began with Andover Athletics Club ladies winning the Chamber of Commerce Trophy at the Basingstoke AC meeting at Queen Mary School. The full side finished third.
Later that summer the club lost talented runner David Webb, who emigrated to Australia having won both Hampshire and Wiltshire titles while Ruth Reynolds was county mile champion in a time of 6min.06secs.
Later that summer Andover AC held a top class meeting billed as the biggest ever in the town. More that 400 athletes from Aldershot, Salisbury, Portsmouth and Southampton competed with two trophies on offer. One of the top names was three mile champion Bruce Tulloh, ran in bare feet.
Martin Hyman was the six mile champion at the meeting held at the Motordrome in Weyhill Road, now covered by houses. It was the only field big enough to cope with a 440 yard track and spectators, but it proved a huge disappointment for coach Cliff Bulpitt, who announced that it was the first meeting and could well be the last.
The international athletics meet between GB and Poland on the television was cited as the main reason for the poor attendance.
Round up of 1960's - 1980's
The club ceased to operate in the early 1960’s.
Andover Athletic Club was reformed during the season 1964-65 after a successful period in the 1950’s. Training from various sports field and the roads around Barlows Lane the club’s young athletes, under the watchful eye of coach John Mullen, soon became highly respected across the south of England.
District, County and Regional honours quickly followed with gold and silver medal positions secured at National cross country competitions and Andy Barnett in the first five years after the club was formed.
The club’s headquarters established itself at the former civil defence ‘bunker’ next to theWalled Meadow/Swimming Pool/Fire Station in London Road.
John Mullen was the inspiration for the club and was succeeded by Martin Hedges before his emigration to Australia. Ian Oldacre became the club’s first AAA qualified coach in 1972 and he has been succeeded by a host of excellent coaches.
After being rejected for a running track in the 1970’s because the town was too small, the club moved to its Charlton site in 1983 after much fundraising. This was long before any track, pavilion or car park was in place. With no electricity, a portable generator was the first thing to be attended to when opening the doors for the members each training session during the winter months. In summer the lighting was fine as the building at that time had windows and skylights.
The days of uneven grass or cinder running tracks were finally over with the advent of a purpose built all weather running track and field facility.
To be Written.....
Key achievements
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Andy Barnett, 13, set the fastest mile time in the world for his age 1969.
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Rosalind Few, 14, secured second place in the UK high jump rankings in 1969
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John Mullen, coach, voted Andover’s outstanding sportsman of the decade
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Andy Barnett, 14, World Age Record 1500mts 1970
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Rosalind Few becomes British No 1 Indoor high jumper 1971 and Olympic hopeful
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David Martin, 16, runs 3000mts in the Rome All European RC Championships 1972
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Rosalind Few selected for Munich Olympics High Jump 1972
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Paul Thomas sets new record to win National Association of Boys’ Clubs 800mts title 1973
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Chris Wake, 11, World Age Record 1500mts 1974
