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When the bell rings at one Bootle church, it means something quite different to a group of young local lads.

That’s because they worship the sweet science of boxing at Bootle ABC, which trains would-be fighters at Bootle Free Protestant Church.

Dave Cooke, son of Bootle boxing legend Johnny Cooke, runs the one-room boxing club Bootle ABC at the back of the church, alongside John and Simon Plumbley,Lee Ponting and Dave Cregeen.

John Plumbley told the ECHO that when the club first opened they had to take a firm stance when some local youths started hanging around in the doorway.

He said: “They thought they could just stand outside all night, smoking drugs. In the end we had to chase them all away.”

Dave said the club had a zero tolerance policy toward drugs and bad attitudes. He said: “If we think any of the lads are on drugs, they will be told to leave. Fortunately the lads who box here police the club. They are our eyes and ears, and will tell us if there is an issue.”

(Image: Geoff Davies)

Dave explained that so called ‘reputations’ did not last long inside the gym. He said: “Bullies and lads who think they are harder than they actually are soon get found out.”

Launched seven years ago, the gym is dedicated to teaching amateur boxing to local lads.

Dave said: “We were in talks at one stage to try and get a bigger premises. Something was offered to us in Crosby, but we turned it down. This club is about being in Bootle.”

The coaches at Bootle ABC told the ECHO how the club was about more than amateur boxing.

John said: “We want the lads to do well at school too. We want them to pass their GCSE’s and move on with their lives. Fortunately my partner works in education, and she can intervene if one of the lads has a problem at school.

"We also promote a healthy lifestyle which is based around regular exercise and a healthy diet. It’s not just about boxing.”

John told the ECHO that one of the first lads through the door when the club opened seven years ago was Paddy Rowan, who played Sean Mercer in the recent Rhys Jones drama Little Boy Blue.

John said: “Paddy is local, and is one of those lads that you know will do well. He comes from a great family.

"I can say that in playing Sean Mercer, he could not have played anyone more different to himself.”

(Image: Geoff Davies)

John explained that the coaches gave the all the lads equal time and treatment.

He said: “We don’t all hang around the talented lads and ignore everyone else. Some of the more famous clubs might do that but its not for us.”

Dave said that British boxing was booming at the moment, and that the success of Anthony Joshua was only good for the sport.

He said: “AJ is brilliant. But Tony Bellew is another great role model. Tony was never the most talented boxer around, but he has fulfilled his potential through hard work and dedication. He is probably the best role model I can think of right now.”

John said: “Too much is made of talent. Some boxers have talent to burn but do not fulfill their potential. They mix with the wrong crowd, or are lazy.”

Dave told the ECHO that he wanted to try and recreate some of the atmosphere of the famous club where his dad once trained all those years ago. He said: “My dad fought out of the old Maple Leaf club which was in the Marsh Lane area. I am looking for some old photographs and memorabilia from the club to put on the walls here. I would love people to walk in and say ‘Oh thats Johnny Cooke’

Bootle ABC meet every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Bootle Free Protestant Church on the corner of University Road from 6pm.

If you are interested in sponsoring Bootle ABC please email davecooke79@hotmail.com