Boxing: Golden Star ABC fighter Gary Egan earns coaching licence as new club takes shape

Nov 16 2011 by Alec Doyle, Ellesmere Port Pioneer

A YOUNG Golden Star ABC fighter has taken an early first step toward life after he hangs up his gloves.

Ellesmere Port boxer Gary Egan is only 18 but has just earned his assistant coach’s licence from the English Amateur Boxing Association (ABA).

That licence is the first step toward Egan possibly becoming a coach once his fighting days are behind him and also allows him to train youngsters at the Golden Star, Ellesmere Port’s oldest surviving boxing club.

“We are all really proud of him,” said club head coach Carl Teasdale. “He is looking to the future not just for himself but for the club.

“Having him as a qualified coach is a big boost for us.”

Soon after he discovered he had his licence, however, he received a blow.

Egan had qualified for the Merseyside and Cheshire Novice semi-finals at Nantwich Civic Hall.

But a chest infection took its toll and doctors pulled him out of the 54kg fight.

“He was gutted because he had worked so hard,” said Teasdale.

“But the doctors said he was not well enough to fight and that was that.”

Work is continuing on Golden Star’s new home at the former Princes Hotel on Princes Road.

The club has started to move some of their equipment into the former public house as they refurbish it as their new home.

The opening date remains unclear, however, as the club awaits approval for a funding application it made to help complete the work.

But local businesses have begun to come to their aid.

As well as Michael Simpson donating the building, Alchem Skips have given their services to remove rubble and waste from the site and Mersey Signs are designing a sign to hang outside the club.

“Some local businesses have been fantastic in coming forward to help,” said Teasdale.

“But we still need more to get the club completed.”

If you would like to help, email golden-star-boxing@hotmail.com.