IT WAS a proud day for Blackburn Harriers as the club opened its new George Kirby Stand at the Witton Park Arena.

The stand is named after the Harriers’ club president, and the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Councillor Alan Cottam, was there to open it alongside members of George’s family and past and present athletes from the club.

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Harriers chairman Tony Wood paid tribute to the role that George has played in the development of athletics in the community over the past 60 years.

Tony said: “It is fitting that George’s contribution to athletics and to education in the borough - not only at the Harriers but as a national coach and national official, and also as a teacher and for numerous other community activities - has been recognised by the local authority as well as many in the community and in the world of athletics generally.”

Athletics greats such as world record mile holder Derek Ibbotson, Olympic champions Lynn Davies, Seb Coe and Steve Ovett, and world marathon champion Paula Radcliffe have all competed at Witton Park down the years.

And after the stand unveiling was completed, youngsters aiming to make it to the top of the sport showed off their skills in the opening UK Youth Development League Northern West One match.

There was Under-20s men’s success for the Harriers with Joe Monk (3000m A), Joseph Campbell (3000m B), Jamie Bamber (200m hurdles A), Joseph Howe (2000m steeplechase A) and Morgan Phillips (800m B), on the track.

While in the field events Cameron Massey (discus B), Joseph Pierce (long jump A, high jump A) and Ben Aspinall (triple jump A) also powered to victories on a fine day for the host club.

And there were U17s men’s wins for Ross Liddle (100m hurdles A, 400m hurdles A), Massey (400m hurdles B) and Jacob Roberts (hammer).

Katie Buckingham, Polly Pierce, Phoebe Howe and Grace Handley teamed up to take the U20s women’s 4x400m relay title.

There were also individual U20s women’s triumphs for Buckingham (800m A), Howe (800m B), Rebecca Orrell (hammer A) and Jane Saothong (javelin B).

Women’s U17s victories went to Handley (1500m A, 3000m A), Morgan Angland (80m hurdles A, 300m hurdles A) and Esmee Pierce (80m hurdles B, 300m hurdles B).