ENGLAND ABA chief executive Mark Abberley was on familiar ground when he visited Hereford Sixth Form College to begin the countdown to February's annual Hereford Times Cup boxing challenge between England and Wales.

The former sixth-form college student brought Commonwealth Gold medallist Scott Fitzgerald with him to meet some of the college's students as well as to get together with principal Jonathan Godfrey, Vince McNally and Richard Williams of Wye Police ABC and City of Hereford Rotary club officials Judy Bolton and Kevin Basden who combine to organise the event.

The group were also able to celebrate the £2,800 raised for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at the 2014 event.

"The England v Wales contest is a fantastic event and Vince and his team did a fantastic job of putting it on," said Abberley. "It’s fantastic for me to be back at Hereford Sixth Form College and to see the sport of boxing doing really well.

"To bring someone like Scott Fitzgerald, one of our Commonwealth Games gold-medallists to be part of this and support the work that happens here is great.

"It’s changed a lot since I was here.

"I think the sports hall is the only thing that’s remained the same -the college has grown and changed dramatically and it’s great to see the way that it has grown and improved in the 30 years since I was here, doing my A-levels.

"It’s great to see it thriving."

College principal Jonathan Godfrey was delighted at the prospect of the upcoming event, which takes place on February 21.

"It means a great deal to the college to have international boxing here," he said. "Our students participate in boxing on occasions and many attend so it is a good opportunity to work with others in the community, City of Hereford Rotary Club and the ABA.

"These events would not take place unless we all worked together in partnership and it’s a great event for the city."

"We're delighted to welcome Mark and Scott to Hereford," said McNally, who was accompanied by the duo to opening of the Wye Club's refurbished gym at Hinton.

"And now we can concentrate on preparations for the event on February 21."