Cycling: Dailey’s lifetime service to cycling is rewarded

Jan 2 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

KIRKBY Cycling Club life member Doug Dailey has been awarded the MBE for services to the sport of cycling.

The former manager of Kirkby Sports Centre, who is originally from Orrell Park in Liverpool but now lives in North Wales, has been at the heart of the hugely successful GB Cycling Team as logistics manager for the past 11 years.

Dailey was also national coach for 10 years as well as team manager for GB and England at many Olympic and Commonwealth Games events.

The 63-year-old has been a member of Kirkby CC since its formation and before that was a leading junior riding for the Melling Wheelers.

He enjoyed a highly successful amateur career spanning 26 years, and on his 40th birthday, when qualifying to race in the veteran class, he promptly went out and won the Veterans National Road Race Championship.

He was twice the British Amateur Road Race champion and represented Great Britain on numerous occasions, including the 1972 Olympic Games, several Milk Race Tours of Britain and international events throughout the world.

Dailey received the prestigious Merseyside Golden Cycle award in 1969 and 1984.

British Cycling’s President Brian Cookson OBE paid tribute to Dailey, saying: “I’m particularly pleased about this award to Doug Dailey. Doug has been a superb member of BC’s professional staff in several different roles over many years. As national coach in the difficult pre-Lottery funding years, Doug nevertheless achieved some great successes and helped to set the foundations for today’s successful elite programmes. More recently he has been the epitome of our backroom staff, providing totally reliable logistical and management support for major Games and Championships throughout the world.”

British Cycling’s chief executive, Peter King, also welcomed the news saying: “Doug is one of the longest serving and most loyal members of the staff team at British Cycling. After an outstanding career as a competitive cyclist he served the federation well in a number of key roles prior to the advent of the World Class Performance Plan in 1997. Since then he has played an absolutely pivotal role in the success of the GB Cycling Team and has been at the heart of the operation throughout the glory years.

“I know I speak for everyone at British Cycling – but particularly for all the medal winners – when I congratulate Doug on a well-deserved honour and thank him for everything that he has done for us all.”

Kirkby CC President Ken Matthews added: “I cannot think of a more deserving cause to receive this award and the contribution made by Doug to the success of his club is immeasurable.”

ANDY Wilkinson (Port Sunlight Wheelers) returned to winning ways when he won the Christmas inter-club 10-mile time trial at Thornton Hough.

Riding a mountain bike, he completed the course in 25 minutes 16 seconds. Next was team mate Roy Sumner in 26.15 and third Dave Hitchen (New Brighton CC) in 26.53.

Port Sunlight Wheelers also had the winning lady, Jill Hume, who did 29.53 and Sam Richards (29.18), who was the fastest male junior.