A gaping hole in our lives

Joe Ashcroft

THE athletics community is in mourning following the shock death of Joe Ashcroft MBE, president and long-standing member of Oldham and Royton Harriers.

Mr Ashcroft, from Chadderton, died suddenly at home on Sunday aged 70, just a day after officiating at the Greater Manchester Cross-Country Championships in Stockport.

Tributes have poured in from across Oldham and the North-West.

John Hudson, Harriers chairman, said: “Joe had been club president for the past eight years or so, but had been involved in the club for many years as a runner, a coach and an official.

“He’d completed the London Marathon a couple of times and was very much involved in all types of athletics. He was a graded timekeeper and also reached the highest level in coaching. He coached hundreds of athletes over the years and was happy coaching anyone, from beginners to professionals. He even helped out with national cross-country events if they were held in the north. He had such enthusiasm and commitment. He will be sadly missed.”

Among his many achievements, Mr Ashcroft officiated at the 1991 World Student Games in Sheffield and was a volunteer at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

The joint founder-member of Chadderton Park Junior Football Club was awarded the MBE in 1993 for his voluntary work in the community as part of the Queen’s birthday honours list.

Mr Ashcroft, who was married to Carole and father to Stephen, won the Oldham Coach of the Year award in 2001 and was also a keen member of Chadderton sub-aqua club.

His brother Alan said: “His death has left a gaping hole in everyone’s lives. A lot of people knew him through his work as a sports technician at Hopwood Hall College, a job he only retired from in September, 2011.

“Nothing was ever too much trouble for him and he put people half his age to shame.

“When he was awarded the MBE, he couldn’t understand why he’d been singled out, but he was extremely honoured and quite humbled.

“The family have been overwhelmed by the amount of people that have contacted them and have been taken aback by the the response from the community and their kind words.”

Adam Howard, a long distance runner and cross-country champion, was coached and mentored by Mr Ashcroft for the past five years.

The 16-year-old said: “It’s all so sudden.

“I saw him on Saturday at the championships in Stockport where I was competing and he was timekeeping.

“He always used to congratulate me and help me to do my best, sometimes he’d just come to the races to watch.

“He was always happy and smiling and loved every minute of running and athletics.

“When the other club members were told at Monday’s training session, a few of the older ones were crying. We held a short silence as a tribute to him and a way for us to remember him.”

Louise Howard, Adam’s mother, said: “Joe helped Adam with everything over the years. He was always there to support and guide him.”

Northern Athletics, which runs competitions across the North of England, paid tribute to Mr Ashcroft on its website and said it were deeply saddened to learn of his unexpected death.

Posts on its home page described Mr Ashcroft as “hugely respected” by all in the athletics community in the North-West and beyond.