DEREK JOHNSON, stalwart of the cycling world, sadly passed away on Wednesday, August 3, aged 80.
His presence and influence throughout the UK cycling fraternity was palpable.
Born in Little Sutton, Wirral in 1931, he spent the majority of his life domiciled in Wirral. He trained as a draughtsman at Cammell Laird Shipyards in Birkenhead and moved to Newton, near West Kirby, where he resided for many years.
As a young man and enjoying cycling as a pastime, he soon became an active member of the Chester Road Club, later transferring to the Birkenhead North End C.C.
In 1985 Derek, together with a small group of friends, was instrumental in re-inaugurating the Birkenhead Cycling Club, originally founded in 1898.
He soon moved on to competition and progressed through the ranks to become Liverpool Area Individual Time Trial Champion in 1968, 1972 and 1974 and West Cheshire Champion in 1967, 1968 and 1972. Other notable victories were achieved in the prestigious Oldbury 12 hour Time Trial and the 62 mile Birkenhead North End Mountain Time Trial. In this latter race his fastest time wasn’t beaten for a number of years.
Derek was a dear friend who will be missed by all.
