Fresh findings have revealed that the Orpington & District amateur boxing club's origin is more historical than first believed - and it dates all the way back to 1936.
Club Chairman Oliver Watson explained that recently found old newspaper clippings have revealed that the club appears to have begun in the pre-WWII era.
This extra detail has added to the club’s already known history, which had been verbally passed down through generations of coaches.
It was originally believed that the club’s establishment was in 1962.
According to the unearthed articles, the club was founded by ex-pro boxer Harry Taylor in 1936, a good 26 years before Alf Reilly reestablished it in Petts Wood in 1962.
However, before it’s boxing days it was originally founded as the Orpington Lads Club in 1912 by the St Mary Cray Scout Troop.
This scout group, based in St. Mary's Cray, established the club to support underprivileged young men in the Orpington area.
Over the years, the boxing club has moved to various locations, including Rosecroft, the Queens Head, and Tillingbourne.
Back in 1936, the club showed its community spirit by organizing a fundraising event for Cray Wanderers.
George Collier, owner of Colliers Barbers in Petts Wood, was instrumental in organizing matches at the Orpington Civic centre serving as the club's matchmaker.
However, many club members left after WWII.
A fresh start at St. Joseph's Boys School was brought forward by veterans Alf Reilly and George Collier, who had experienced boxing while serving in the war.
Their contribution led the club to again find its footing in 1962.
The club is not just a boxing training ground, but a touchstone of local heritage as members fondly remember the times spent at Rosecroft and the Queenshead.
The club encountered difficulties in the 1990s when the closure of the Royal Standard pub in Westerham led to the shutdown of all three associated clubs: the Spitfire, Sir Winston Churchill, and Orpington ABC.
This resulted in temporary closures due to a lack of venues and funding. However, in 2007, the Cray Valley Boxing Club in Poverest adopted the Orpington & District ABC name and briefly reopened, producing regional champions under coach Olly Rutherford.
The club closed once more in 2013 due to funding shortages.
A new chapter began this year with the club's move to Petts Wood, signing a 15-year lease for the space.
The venue move hopes to bolster the local amateur boxing scene and nurture fresh talent.
Since reopening a month ago, the club has seen the enrolment of 50 new boxers of varied ages.
Former boxers from the club's rich history popped in, with some extending their assistance in coaching.
These revelations sparked discussions about its branding, and it may be that in the near future a new logo will be created, reflecting the club’s heritage that stretches back to 1936.
The club even once had its base at Petts Wood in 1966, marking this year's move as a return to somewhere familiar.
With continued support, this treasure chest of the Orpington community is certain to build upon its legacy role in shaping local amateur boxing talent.
The club is now run by ex-boxers & family members of the original Orpington & District ABC under the affiliation of England Boxing established in 1880.
Club Chairman, Oliver Watson, said: “It is worth noting that the club's roots in Pettswood/Orpington are not new. As one of the oldest and longest-running boxing clubs in history, its legacy stretches back decades.
“Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to explore the fascinating history of Orpington & District ABC. Let's keep the spirit of this iconic boxing club alive.”
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