Shropshire boxing stalwart Colin Hough honoured

Shropshire sporting stalwart Colin Hough, and athletics legend Steve Backley, shared a county stage last night.

Nearly 200 people converged on Shrewsbury Town Football Club for the Energize awards, run in conjunction with the Shropshire Star.

Colin, who has been involved with the town's Severnside boxing club for 63 years, collected the William Penny Brookes Trophy from Roy Rogers, president of the Wenlock Olympian Society, for his outstanding contribution.

Now in his seventies, he is still involved in coaching local youngsters.

Guest speaker Backley, a three-time Olympic medallist and former world javelin champion, praised Shropshire's unsung enthusiasts who help keep grass-roots sport alive.

Among the evening's other winners was Shropshire County Cricket Club, which was named team of the year after picking up its first trophy in 37 years.

Whitchurch haulage company Grocontinental was named Employer of the Year for promoting healthy lifestyles among its staff, and sponsorship of community sports clubs. Energize chairman Steve Peters said: "The calibre of nominations has been exceptionally high."

Full story in today's Shropshire Star