History

In the late seventies a group of local Stratford athletes led by the Morris brothers met on a regular basis at the Rugby Club as the nearest Athletic Club was in Leamington. It so happened that, in 1978, Alan Wood a lecturer at Stratford High School asked permission to use the school playing fields in Summer and the Gymnasium in Winter to form an athletics club. On hearing of this development the Morris brothers group together with other interested adults and youngsters joined them, and in 1979 the Stratford Athletic Club was founded. Alan became Chairman, Graham Collins Treasurer, with John Dell looking after the Club Kit. The club kit was based on Stratford’s official colours, yellow and black and also the town’s badge used by most clubs in Stratford. It was in 1195 that Richard the Lion Heart presented this badge, taken from the coat of arms a chevron and three tiger heads to the town.

The running boom that reached this country from America in 1982 swelled the membership of the club and an endurance running section of the club became known as Stratford Striders. This brought lady runners into the club and lifted adult membership to 30. In 1985 after putting in 5 years hard work Alan Wood relinquished the Chair to Jim Bayliss, who continued to consolidate the work of previous years. Under his guidance the club became better organised, and very much a road running club. Jim stood down in 1986, and in recognition of the work he undertook to make the club prosper, was made a Life Member of the Club.

John Dell took the Chair and wanting to build on Jim’s success made the number one priority a proper home for the club. A letter was sent out to all clubs in Stratford with playing fields who might be able to help us, and after a tour of inspection of the different offers the club moved to the Cricket Club by the river Avon. Unfortunately, this move proved unsatisfactory, as members could see no future there, and nowhere to have an athletics track. Later in 1986 came the offer of a home at the Home Guard Club, Tiddington.

This provided better facilities, and provision for a future Athletic Track around the Alveston F.C. football pitch, which was constructed a year later.

Up until 1986 the Club had promoted an annual race called 'The Roman Nine' Road Race which had always started and finished at the Rugby Club, Loxley Road. With the move to the Home Guard Club, the course was altered so that the start and finish was at the club's premises at Tiddington - this happened in 1987.

With membership increasing, and assisted by Graham Collins, John Dell launched the junior section for youngsters between 8 and 16. The first major success saw them win the bronze medal at the Sportshall Athletics, Birmingham in 1988.

The senior section were taking part in all the new races around the country that had been founded due to the running boom, including events like the London Marathon, Race the Train, and Fell Running at the Snowdon International Race. Cross Country races also became a special part of the club’s activities.

Early in his chairmanship, John devised and organised an annual race known as the Cotswold Hilly 100, which was a long distance 100 mile relay race from Stratford through the Cotswolds and back. Local running clubs were invited to participate by providing teams of 10 runners each running a 10 mile leg, with the money raised by each team being devoted to charitable causes. The race has been hugely popular over the years, and still maintains a place in the racing calendar to this day.

Following years of consolidation, John was the driving force for the club to have its own running track, and, with the Committee, set up a series of fund raising events known as Track Attack to raise the required money. After many years, together with a £10,000 loan from Stratford Town Council the track was finally constructed in 1994. After 10 years, upon relinquishing the Chairmanship, John was offered and accepted Life Presidency of Stratford Athletic Club.

In April 2003 following a steady increase in membership to 80 members, and coinciding with the construction of an eight lane all weather running track in Stratford , the club moved to the Sports Club in Swans Nest lane. The club welcomes runners of any standard from complete beginners to four-minute milers, and works on the principle that if someone is interested in running, then SAC is interested in them.