Sporting Legends Relay

The Knowsley Sporting Legends Relay sprinted across the borough from 18 – 23 July.

The 6-day sporting event was a celebration of the borough’s rich sporting heritage and certainly packed a punch in what it delivered.

Starting at Everton FC’s training ground in Halewood on Monday 18 July, the relay travelled the length of the borough with support from local communities, sporting groups and local sportspeople, before reaching its dramatic climax on Saturday 23 July at the Eddie McCardle Playing Fields – in the shadow of Liverpool FC’s AXA Training Centre.

Significantly a whole host of Knowsley’s sporting legends joined in the action including boxing heroes John Conteh MBE and Tom Stalker, Liverpool FC’s Alan Kennedy and Steve McMahon, Everton FC’s Ian Snodin and Peter Reid and also former Tranmere Rovers player Steve Jennings.

And importantly the relay celebrated local sporting heroes including local nurse Gill Verdin who has run more than 100 marathons, Olympic 2012 torch bearer Mike Dooling and GB wrestler Tony Collins. Many Knowsley sporting clubs and schools also took part in the events including Tower Hill ABC, Knowsley ABC, Kirkby Milers, Knowsley and St Helens Girls Football Team as well as pupils from Malvern and Yew Tree Primary schools.

The relay was a highlight of Knowsley’s year as Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture and here is a rundown of the relay’s PB’s…