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Tommy
Godwin was one of this countries greatest track racing cyclists and one
of cycle racings greatest ambassadors. Born in 1920 in the USA he spent
his adult and working life in Birmingham. He was national sprint
champion and an Olympic medalist winning two bronze medals at the 1948
London games in the team pursuit and the 1km individual time
trial. Tommy also won a further bronze medal at the 1950 British Empire
Games. Tommy was also manager of the British National Cycle Team at the
1964 Tokyo Games.
Tommy's first bicycle was a Wrenson's (the grocers) delivery
bike and he soon discovered he could ride and deliver eggs and bacon faster than anyone
else!
Tommy joined the BSA in 1936 as an electrician and worked there till 1950 when
he left to set up his own cycle shop in Silver Street, Kings Heath, which he ran for 36 years.
In between working at his shop Tommy was the national cycle
coach and coached and encouraged many a future champion. He was the manager of the British cycling team
at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo and later bacame president of the Solihull Cycling Club
He
ran the first British training camp in Spain (Majorca) and the first
national cycle track racing course at Lileshal Hall in Shropshire.. He
founded the Birmingham Racing Cycling Club. He was one of the first
training coaches,training and mentoring a generation of British
track racing cyclists, many of whom won national and international
titles and medals.
IIn the 36 years that Tommy was in business he was agent for
BSA, Raleigh, Phillips, Viking, Dawes, Claud Butler, Sun & FC Parkes. There
was also a Tommy Godwin own make cycle, the frames being at one time built by
Tommy in the rear of the shop. Eventually because of his coaching work the
frames were built by the Derby company of Mercian.
At 87 Tommy is still president of the Solihull Cycling Club. In 2007 he completed his auotobiography, It wasn't that Easy
which is an excellent book worthy of the attention of any sportsman as
it exposes some of the trickery and trechery surrounding sport at a
time when the public would have been very ignorant of such goings on.
The book at times is controversial and especially brings into question
the reputation of Reg Harris, at that time a household name. Tommy's
father also comes in for some criticism for the way he manipulated the
boy and tried to profit from his success in an appaling manner. It's a
mark of the man that despite his fathers treatment Tommy admits he
still loved his father.
A book not to be missed about a figure that should have been recognised a long time ago by an MBE or similar award.
It wasn't that Easy: Tom Godwin. John Pinkerton
Memorial Publishing Fund, 2007. 200 pages paperback, £15. ISBN978-0-9552115-5-3
If you are intersted in purchasing this book please contact me on
bihsenquiries@gmail.com
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