Chris Marshall (1973-80)
| Chris Marshall | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | c1962 |
| Died | c2006 (aged about 44) |
| Cause of death | Bone cancer |
| Other names | Kif (nickname) |
| Education | Boston Grammar School (1973-80) |
| Employer | Barclay's Bank |
| Notable work(s) | English Schools Champion (110m hurdles) |
Chris Marshall (b. c1962, d. c2006) was a student at Boston Grammar School from 1973 to 1980.
Chris was an illustrious athlete. He was English Schools senior champion at 110m hurdles in 1980[1] and was beating future athletics stars such as Colin Jackson before being forced into premature retirement by injury.
Chris won the senior boys' 110m hurdles at Kirkby-in-Ashfield in 1979. The only ESAA winner ever from BGS. He was included in the UK all-time list (twice): 14.58 Perugia, Italy 20 Aug 1980 and 14.5 Edinburgh, 16 Aug 1980.[2]
In The Bostonian
An article by C Marshall (4A) from the 1976 issue of the Bostonian
Athletics - under 15
The U15 Athletics team had a successful season last summer, doing well in the relays as well as in the individual competitions. The relay team (D Edmunds), C Marshall, T West, and D Redman) started the season badly, but went on to win the Holland and Lincolnshire trials at Spalding.
On the individual side 29 Holland colours were gained; plus 4 Lincolnshire colours - these being won by T West, P Hubbert, D Redman and C Marshall, most of whom had respectable performances in the three counties meeting at Leicester, and the six counties meeting at Northampton.
The highlight of the season was undoubtedly the winning of the Holland Schools' Championship at Spalding. This victory gave a true picture of the depth and potential of school athletics in this age group.
It was a great disappointment, however, that, with the relay squad rather below form, we did not win the Lincs. GS U15 (Junior) section at Cranwell.
The athletes trained hard, and went from strength to strength, to record outstanding individual and team successes throughout the season. We would like to thank Messrs Dunn and Anderson, both for transport and managing the teams at the meetings.
Lincs County Colours 1975
- C Marshall (80m hurdles) & Relay
- D Redman (100m & Relay)
- T West (Hammer and 800m)
- P Hubbert (Shot)
At the 1975 sports day Chris broke school 3rd year record for the 100m, bringing the time down from 12.3 to 12.0 seconds as well as being crowned 3rd year Victor Ludorum for Gannock.
From the 1978 issue of the Bostonian
(paraphrasing) Chris represented the county in the intermediate 100m hurdles at the All-England Championships which took place at Chesterfield. He achieved National Standard in all of his three races (13.8 seconds, personal best), and reached the final.
From the 1979 issue of the Bostonian
Chris Marshall, on reaching the All-England Schools Athletics Championships for the third year, made excellent progress to the final in the Senior Boys 110m Hurdles, where he finished fourth (personal best 14.0 seconds, recorded in his semi-final).
Chris Marshall in 1977 (photo Boston Standard)
From the 1980 issue of the Bostonian
(paraphrasing) Chris left BGS for a position with Barclay's Bank, Boston.
International Honours - Christopher John Marshall
by RA Dunn
Yes, Boston Grammar School has made history in the world of sport! How pleasing to witness yet another outstanding achievement by a boy from the school - this time the success story has come from the field of athletics, and 1980 will always be remembered as 'the year of our International Athlete'. Let's just sit back and take note of the following headlines:
- "Golden Boy clears his biggest hurdle yet" - ([[Boston Standard|Lincs Standard 18/08/1980)
- "England Call for Chris - (Lincs Standard 25/07/1980)
- "Chris strikes Gold in sun" - (Lincs Standard 29/08/1980)
- "Chris ends term with a champion rating"
It is hard to accept that the same 'small' 14-year-old boy who threw the javelin for the school in 1975 at the Holland Schools U14 Championships, would develop into a high hurdler and proudly wear the tag of United Kingdom No 1 Junior Men 110m Hurdler 1980. Like most activities, success has been due to many factors. A love for athletics and the desire to compete immediately comes to mind, plus hard work, dedication and the will to win. Such qualities should be foremost in anyone wishing to aim for the top in the field of sport.
Following Chris' 4th placing in the All-England Schools Championship of 1979 at Nottingham, the 3A's selected Chris for training with the National Junior Men's Hurdles Sprint squad (i.e. U20 age group) for 1980. In addition three weekly trips to RAF Cosford and training with midland Counties squad were fitted in. Naturally, all this external training under the guidance of the National Youth Coach - Mr Graham Knight - was built around the daily training schedule at school, whether it be mobility work, hurdling technique or spring training.
The breakthrough of 1980 was heralded with a professional run in the final of the All-England Schools 110m Hurdles at Kirkby, Liverpool. This was the fiftieth year of these Championships.
- Heat 3: 1st 15.0secs
- Semi-Final: 1st 14.4secs (Personal Best)
- Final: 1st 14.2secs (Personal Best)
This was another first for the school - BGS's first National Athletics Champion.
A fortnight later, the 3A's notified Chris of his selection for England in the Home Counties International at Meadowbank. An International debut for any sportsman is in itself a great ordeal, and it was most gratifying to see people from Boston witness a creditable 3rd placing behind Wales and Scotland, and in doing so pushing the England No 1 into fourth place.
The Centenary U20 (Junior Mens) Championships at the Alexander Stadium, Birmingham became the next important engagement. A competent win in the heat (15.19) gave Chris great satisfaction, as he defeated Scotland's No 1, Stuart McAslan who had gained the 2nd spot in the Bell's Whisky International at Meadowbank a fortnight previously. The final produced a nightmare start - that dreaded 'freeze' as the gun fires which all sprinters fear.
Nevertheless, though two metres down on his chief rivals, superb hurdling technique gained him 2nd place over his Scottish rival (15.40/15.42), although Nigel Walker of Wales was the undisputed winner. Yes, the 2/100s of a second margin made the dream come true and the aim of 1980 had been achieved by athletes and coaches - a Great Britain (Junior) Vest.
Great Britain v Italy. Venue, Perugia, August 20/21 1980. With passport, International luggage labels displayed on all luggage, the 6.20am train was boarded from Boston to join the rest of the International Athletes - including full Internationals, Linsey MacDonald and Sandra Arthurston - at Heathrow for the flight to Rome.
It is impossible to describe on paper the feeling that our own athlete had on his GB debut and the excellent treatment he received from the party officials and athletes alike - both British and Italian. But one thing can be readily said. Chris expressed his thanks to all concerned with his performance on the track.
This win, and timing, put Chris at the top of the Junior UK 110m Hurdles ladder for 1980. This perhaps does not sound anything special until one realises that only two people each year in Great Britain get the chance of running in such competition.
It was an incredible performance by a boy who was born and educated in Boston and who learnt his hurdling in our school.
At the Senior 3A's Centenary Championships at Crystal Palace, Chris qualified for the final of the 110m Hurdles, and as many of us saw on television, finished 6th behind Rod Milburn (USA) =- Olympic Champion 1972 and Mark Holtom (GB Senior No 1) - and completed the season by gaining No 10 UK ranking at Senior Level. His target fir 1981 is the Junior European Championships in Utrecht, Holland.
Thank you, Chris for the pride you have brought to the school and the pleasure you have given to numerous people.
(paraphrasing) In school competition that year Chris was team captain at the Holland Schools' Championship, winning his own high-hurdles competition and leading the school to overall victory over Spalding Grammar School. "The only disagreement the team had in its ranks was which way round the track they should go on their lap of honour. Yes - the cup with one handle on it went one way and heaven knows where the other handle went!" As well as being All-England Schools Champion, and a competitor for England and Great Britain Juniors, Chris was captain of the Lincs Boys' team.
From the 1981 issue of the Bostonian
Success breeds success
by R Dunn
Nineteen-eighty in the athletics field, marked the school's first international athlete - Christopher Marshall. In the 110m high hurdles (3 ft 3ins) he highlighted his school athletics career by winning the All-England schools title and through further efforts competed for England's junior men in the Home Counties international at Meadowbank, following this by running for Great Britain over 3 ft 6ins hurdles v Italy in Perugia - and winning too! Hence, who can follow that!
It is a delight to refer to such outstanding achievements - both from the results angle plus the quality and character of the individual concerned - and to say openly to others it is possible to succeed and be successful if you put your mind to the task in hand. Effort, dedication and the right attitude are essential ingredients, plus a gifted, healthy body.
One wonders whether the 1981 track season, with the ever-increasing success at county level of the school's athletes came about indirectly from the earlier achievements of Chris Marshall; there must be some transfer somewhere along the line.
Well, what about our up and coming top performers in this highly competitive field of athletics?
Six county schools' competitors, and the highest numberof All-England Schools performers the school has had nominated for any single national event...
Chris Marshall with awards
Chris Marshall in action
External Links
References
- ↑ English Schools Championships (boys) - gbrathletics
- ↑ United Kingdom All-Time Lists - Junior Men - gbrathletics