BOXING coach Martin ‘Paddy’ Brennan admits he was sad to leave the Tenbury sporting scene.

The final bell rang out for Tenbury Amateur Boxing Club after a move to premises in Berrington Road fell through.

Paddy’s club is now known as Paddy Brennan Boxing Academy and Fitness Centre and is based at his home in Bleathwood.

“I had no choice but to pull out of Tenbury after several funding applications fell through,”

said Paddy. “I was trying to go for charity status and limited company status for the Tenbury club but it didn’t work out.

“I was trying to secure funding from Malvern Hills District Council and Tenbury Town Council but neither worked out.

“It’s sad that Tenbury has lost its only boxing club because it was seen by the police as one of the jewels in Tenbury’s crown.

“If something ever happened to me, then the boxing club I founded in the town would have been my legacy for Tenbury.

“But I live in Ludlow and the club has now been rebranded.”

Paddy has converted a building on his property in Bleathwood.

And Stuart ‘Bomber’ Lewis was the first boxer to fight under the new Paddy Brennan Boxing Academy name.

Lewis lost a tight contest, 35- 33, in the Bill Meddings Memorial Cup on the Birmingham card against the UK All Stars Elite show.

People from Tenbury are still heavily involved in the club.

“We are now having 170 people through the door each week and it’s a full-time job,” said Paddy.

“I am running fitness classes for women and personal training and last week I ran a selfdefence class at the women’s institute in Knowbury.”

Tenbury Boxing Club had been based above the Bridge Inn since April 2009.

However, the owner of the Bridge Inn, Bobby Webb, wanted to re-use the space being taken up by the club.

“I really appreciate all who helped and supported me when I was in Tenbury and now is a new chapter and I have lots of new helpers,” said Paddy.

“My club is officially affiliated to the Amateur Boxing Association of England and there are exciting times ahead.”

For more details about Paddy’s club, call Paddy Brennan on 07904 396465.