WRESTLING coach Mike Roles, who died earlier this year, has been remembered by his former colleagues who have commemorated his legacy in Cumbernauld.
Former Tryst manager Ron Rodgers, who helped open the centre, said: "I wish to offer a belated tribute in honour of the late Mike Roles who I first met in November 1969 when I opened the Greenfaulds Temporary Sports Centre.
"Mike had been a freest
yle amateur wrestler and volunteered to start a wrestling club. Within a few months three or four boys aged ten to 12 acquitted themselves very well in the Scottish Boys Champs and the club's first champion was Mike Cavanagh, who is presently involved with the Glasgow Commonwealth Games Committee.
"Within the next four years Mike coached numerous Scottish champions in various age and weight categories and many of them became British champions plus an entry in the World Junior Championships held in South America.
"The opening ceremony of the Tryst Sports Centre was marked by a torch relay run by the champion wrestlers bringing the flame of sport from Greenfaulds to the new complex where success continued to a long list of British Senior Champions and Commonwealth Games participants.
"Some of the names I remember were Michael Cavanagh followed by Bobby McLucas, Brian Miller, Paul Nedley, Paul King, Chas McHarry and the present coach of the club Steven McKeown.
"At Mike's cremation on April 30, he had left a musical request that the service should end with the large gathering of family, friends and fellow sports participants singing the Gracie Fields song 'Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye'.
"Cheerio Mike! A great sportsman and coaching legend with a great sense of humour."
Ron adds that coach Steven McKeown is following in Mike Roles' footsteps "giving his public spirited devotion to the young people of Cumbernauld and still producing champion wrestlers".
Steven credits Ron's foresight for the successes of many local wrestlers, saying: "Mike put many young wrestlers on the path to success and honour for their club and country. For that we are and will remain profoundly grateful."
The 44-year-old provided these articles from the News & Chronicle archives - and highlights how Mike was the founder member of the Cumbernauld Amateur Wrestling Club, now known as the Tryst Lions Wrestling Club Cumbernauld.
And explaining the club's history, current head coach Steven said: "Cumbernauld A.W.C was formed in 1969 by Mike and his wife Evelyn.
"The club's first Scottish Champion was Michael Cavanagh, who in May 1970, weighing in at five stones, won the 1971 British Championships along with Brian King at six stones and Bobby McLucas at six and a half stone."
Stevie himself won his first Scottish Championship at four stone in 1973, and in 2002 competed in the Commonwealth Games in Manchester at 74kgs.
The coach also points out other wrestling successes that Mike helped with, stating: "1978 saw Bobby McLucas (74kgs) become Cumbernauld's first wrestler to compete at the Commonwealth games, travelling to Edmonton, Canada.
"1982 saw Michael Cavanagh compete at 68kgs in the Commonwealth games in Brisbane, Australia.
"Three Cumbernauld wrestlers took part in the 1986 Commonwealth games: Dave Connelly (48kgs), Paul Nedley (57kgs) and Brian Miller (62kgs), with Dave winning Bronze in Edinburgh.
"1994 Tryst Lions Wrestling Club Cumbernauld was able to send David Connelly (52kgs), current assistant Tryst Lions coach, and Paul Nedley (57kgs) to Victoria in Canada.
"Without Mike's foresight, much of the above wouldn't have been possible."
