JACK WINFIELD

JACK WINFIELD OF STANLEY COMMON

(Taken from articles in the West Hallam Parish Magazine March 1983, and the "Pearl Pensioner" - date unknown but about 1987)

John William Winfield was born at Stanley Common but in later life lived at West Hallam. He worked for Pearl Assurance - hence the article in the magazine "Pearl Pensioner." Copies of these two articles were donated by Jack's daughter. 

From the West Hallam Parish Magazine

   When Jack Winfield was 21 years old, he made two important discoveries: firstly, he found his bride-to-be in pretty Dorothy Mee, and secondly, he found that he could run. Dorothy seems to have been Jack's inspiration, and he will laughingly tell you that he has been running ever since!

   Running is Jack's special talent. He was persuaded to join in a race to encourage and support his brother. That was the beginning of a highly successful lifetime in running which has had him globe-trotting and racing to victory for his country.

   In the 1930s running was a "gentleman's" sport. Jack undoubtedly is a gentleman, but not of the Oxford/Cambridge vintage which was so important in those days. Selection boards tended to prefer runners from the universities - and money, as usual, spoke. But Jack had a friend in Harold Abrahams (of Chariots of Fire fame) who chose sheer winning ability for national and international events. Jack Winfield is a winner.

   In the Winfield home, there are many medals and trophies from many countries. There is the prized cup won after beating the world champion Finnish runner Pauvo Nurmi. Each award has its own story, but Jack will admit that often racing tactics won the day. When to put on that extra spurt, when to swing out to force opponents 'wide', how to fool a rival into thinking you had tired were all part of the race, and all a part of Jack's genius on the track.

   When Jack had to take up a job which involved Saturday afternoon work, he had to give up running. He didn't take it up again until he was forty-one years old. Soon he was winning again, and with times beating the world record holders, may well have been chosen for the Olympics had he not suffered a bereavement on the very day of the qualifying heats.

   Derby County used Jack to improve the team's speed. For two years Jack imparted his skill to the players. More recently, the jogging craze has led to Jack showing his heels again. He has run in local marathons with great success. At 75 years old, Jack says he has retired. He still enjoys jogging around Shipley Park - it keeps him feeling fit. He won't hang up his running shoes, but for him the circle is complete - his racing began and ended at Nottingham.

   Fortunately Jack has other interests to keep him occupied. He is a family man. He and Dorothy celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary last year. They are proud grandparents. Jack has his gardening and bread-making to keep him busy, and as soon as the better weather comes we will see him jogging to his well-loved Shipley Park - a living testimonial to keeping fit!

From the "Pearl Pensioner"

   As a young man Jack Winfield (80) was an athlete of international standing, who represented England in long-distance and cross-country championships. But it was quite by chance that Mr Winfield, who was to become an agent in Heanor and Ilkeston, Derbyshire, discovered he had a natural talent for running. His brother, a miner, was spotted by a talent scout for Derby Athletic Club during a miners' road race in Nottingham. Later officials asked the 19-year old Jack to pace his brother on a three-mile run around their village. He recalls: "I was given a three-minute start, and by the time my brother arrived at the house I was already at home and changed into my clothes."

   It was this revelation which started him training regularly with the Derby club, making light work of the junior and district races to eventually become captain of England's cross-country team and represent England in the Commonwealth Games in Canada in1930. His greatest honour, though, was to be picked twice to represent his country at the Olympic Games, in Los Angeles (1932) and Helsinki (1952). Much to his regret he had to turn down the opportunity on both occasions, because he couldn't afford to go. He explains: "There was no sponsorship then like today. We would get our bare expenses paid by the athletics club, a ticket to the race and back, but that would be all. Naturally I was very excited when the letters of invitation came, but I knew straight away that I couldn't go."

   Mr Winfield continued to run six or seven miles most days until his mid-70s; he has often been featured in his local press, and was delighted when ITV Central News came to film his trophies and then film him running in the park. The film was later shown on television with him being connected to the award-winning film Chariots of Fire, about the lives of two famous athletes, Liddell and Abrahams. Jack Winfield knew them personally, even though they were retiring as he was just beginning in athletics.

   Jack Winfield ran for over 60 years until he was 75, and in his last year completed three half-marathons, raising some £325 for charities. Since he 'retired' he has continued to take an interest in the sport: recently he was guest of honour at Derby and County Athletic Club's centenary dinner, and of course he has numerous cups and medals to remind him of his success.

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