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The sweet, sweet smell of success - or is it chlorine?

COACH - TOMMY WALSH

Our club was formed in 1946 and our coach at that time was Tommy Walsh, who was a founder member and perhaps many who remember him would say perhaps the best Ulster coach ever.  Tommy worked as a caulker in Harland and Wolff, and took time off work to get qualification to teach swimming at his own expense and became the coach he was.  He organised walks over Cavehill - leaving the Telegraph clock on Sunday's over the hill by the Cavehill Road and return by the Antrim Road.  Other clubs swimmers on occasion joined in and many of their parents complained at the Ulster Branch meetings about the blisters on their children's feet!

TEACHER - JACK ADAMS

Jack Adams was a neighbour of Tommy Walsh and indeed both worked for Harland & Wolff, Tommy as a Caulker and Jack as a Boat builder (Shipwright).  One night on his way home from work he met Tommy in the street they lived on and said to Tommy "I believe you run a swimming club", to which Tommy replied "yes".  "Can I help you" said Jack and that began a remarkable relationship, Jack became the teacher who taught literally thousands of children who could not swim to be confident in the water.  As soon as their feet were of the bottom, he passed them onto the next coach.  When asked what gave him pleasure, his reply was "just give me the wee childer, Tommy can have the rest".

COACH - DAVY KIDD

Davy Kidd's son joined the club in 1954 and he found himself part of the coaching team working for the club.  He got all those Jack had started with and taught all the strokes to competition level.  Davy was an air-frame fitter during the second world war and was stationed in India working on Hurricanes and Mosquito planes.  On his demob, he found work in 'Mackies' and resumed civilian life.  Davy had an active connection with the club from 1954 to his death in 2003.  During that time he served in every position in the committee with several stints as coach.  His favourite stroke was backcrawl.  He had as much knowledge of swimming and the techniques required as any Coaching professional or amateur in the land, which he demonstrated at a club function were we had invited Ireland's leading Coach to a Q&A session.  Davy was able to answer those questions the expert was unable to, leading the expert to say "why have you brought me here!"  Those who he met with, all remarked that he was a genuine 'Gentleman' in all senses of the word.

SWIMMER - BOBBY MADINE

Many of you will know Bobby Madine.  Bobby was the first champion Alliance had in 1954c.  He won the 100 yard Butterfly in the Ulster Championships and when he was presented with the cup he went straight to Tommy, and said this is your cup coach.  How many swimmers today would give their coach such respect.  Tommy went on to have many champions in the club - Marina Holywood, 12 years old, seven firsts in the 1964 Ulster Championships and a host of others.  Tommy coached with success to the early to mid seventies.  He lived in Alliance estate and it became too dangerous to come out at night, so reluctantly Tommy relinquished the position of Coach.  Tommy lived to the age of 95.  He died in 2003 and never forgot Alliance.  He presented the club with a trophy on the clubs 50th birthday.

SWIMMER - JULIE DOUGLAS

Julie Douglas came to Alliance from Carrickfergus Leisure Centre, and went on to have great success in local competition, winning at Age Group and Ulster Championships.  Julie moved away to University and her swimming improved - she represented NI at the Commonwealth Games and became a member of Bangor SC.