GREAT to hear that former Haydock amateur boxing champion Bob Selby, veteran volunteer within youth organisations, is still going strong as vice-president of Newton Boys and Girls Club, whose roots go back to the 'sixties.

He's still as enthusiastic as ever, but is disappointed that former youth members are not now putting something back into the club that served them so well in organised soccer, hiking excursions, indoor sports activities and a host of other pursuits.

He writes from his home in Buttermere Avenue, Ashton-in-Makerfield: "The club is kept open by a small band of volunteers, assisted by St Helens Council and the Lancashire Boys and Girls Association".

Forwarding the soccer shot (below) of Newton Boys Club football team of 1970, showing himself as coach, Bob adds: "If any of these ex-players could give us some help they'd be very welcome". He invites any former members wishing to be put into the picture to ring him on 01942 201618.

Bob had moved on to coach the boys' club and become assistant leader to the fondly- remembered Ken Dibble after first being the youthful manager of Station Road Colts (also pictured below in 1963). This was a successful trophy-winning junior team made up of Haydock lads, including Billy Starkey, well-known pub landlord at Earlestown and Rainhill before retiring to sunny Spain.

Bob, who was first set on his coaching way by the legendary late Joe Finney, known as Haydock's Mister Football, remains active in soccer at the age of 70, as a North West scout for Manchester City (under-8s satellites and under-16s).

In a footnote to his volunteers appeal, he mentions that he was recently in touch with his old boys' club leader, Ken Dibble, an adventurous climber and Outward Bound fanatic. "He said he was going on holiday to climb the Matterhorn!"