Boxing world champion Richie Woodhall, javelin Olympic medallist Steve Backley and former Wolves and England striker Steve Bull are among more than 30 nominations received for a campaign to honour Telford’s top sporting heroes.
The Sporting Champions scheme was launched by Telford & Wrekin Council last month in a bid to recognise the borough’s favourite sporting stars of past and present – as well as giving publicity to future stars.
Council leisure bosses asked townsfolk to put pen to paper and nominate their favourites.
Funding is in place to create a display with photographs and written accounts of the stars’ success stories to go on tour around libraries and other venues in the town in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics in London.
And with a couple of weeks still to go until the closing date for submissions, chiefs are urging those who have not yet done so to get their nominations in.
Councillor Miles Hosken, cabinet member for culture and leisure at Telford & Wrekin Council, said: “Here at Telford & Wrekin Council, we believe that real life experiences will really help to motivate others to strive to be the best they can.
“That’s why we want people to tell us about anyone they think could be a sporting champion – so we celebrate their achievements and motivate others.
He added: “It is hoped this project and event will raise the awareness of local sporting champions and in turn inspire local people to get involved in sport and physical activity.”
One such nomination has come in for 67-year-old former amateur featherweight boxer, Morton Hughes. Mr Hughes, of Dothill, had his first fight at the age of eight and continued to compete until the 1960s.
Mr Morton said: “The highlight of my boxing career was probably when I was the Featherweight Junior Amateur Boxing Association Champion in 1958.
“I boxed for England and internationally.”
For a nomination form, e-mail sportsdev @telford.gov or call 01952 382889.
