WITH little outside funding, Hereford Amateur Boxing Club still operate from the Lads Club building - their base for more than 25 years.

Gone are the days of their once-popular Hereford-shire shows at the Richmond Club, Worme-low, the Welsh Club and the Railway Club.

In fact, the organisation is now involved in just one Herefordshire-based boxing show at the Shire Hall which is run each November in association with Hereford Lions Club.

"We used to run our own shows but it's too expensive to run a show now," explained stalwart Viv Bennetts, the club's treasurer, secretary and fight organiser.

"Unfortunately, the club itself operates with no outside support, other than the sizeable donation from Hereford Lions Club."

The Hereford club still boast six licensed fighters, however, who box regularly at senior and youth level.

And the club attract about 20 people to their twice-weekly training sessions between September and May.

Three former club members have progressed to professional level, including lightweight Phil Found and former ABA amateur champion Darren 'Dazzo' Williams.

Joe Lock, Roy Preece, Andy Father, Cliff Lugg and Mark Trumper are the training staff, who put members through their paces.

Bennetts added: "We have been to Coleford Rugby Club, recently, and, for a number of years we put on a show for the Ross Round Table at the Chase Hotel. It's very sad that there are not any other boxing clubs around here."