ANNOUNCEMENT - 21 MARCH 2020

JOHN BETHELL 1933 - 2020

The term “traditional clubman” doesn’t begin to do justice to John Bethell who passed away on 17 March.

John joined the Wheelers as a junior in September 1949 and filled many roles in the club over the years, including president and general secretary, as well as being the editor of Fools Nook (the old club magazine) and press reporter. Indeed, there are few positions in the club that John didn’t occupy at one time or another. His wife, Brenda, his sons (Mark and Paul) and his grandchildren, have all been members of the club as well. It was in recognition of his contribution that the club made him a life member.

John was an unlikely recruit to cycling, having suffered from polio as a child and chronic asthma in his teenage years, but proved to be a gifted athlete in all disciplines. Among his many achievements, he was Best All Rounder four times (1969, 1971, 1972, 1974) and held the Shrewsbury and Back record in 1958 and 1973. His commitment to the Club extended way beyond racing and he also held the award for attendance on the greatest number of club runs in 1970, 1971 and 1972. He was tireless in his promotion of the sport and encouraging others. Many of us remember his advice and encouragement on club runs. In a press interview he recalled the time that he begged a set of track bikes for the club’s schoolboys to use, and then drove them to track league meetings in an old van which was also used to take them to circuit races and cyclo-crosses. Our multiple British, European and World track champion, Chris Higgs, remembers when John lent her his track bike for a women only velodrome session with the legendary Peter Keen. The rest, as they say, is history.

John was a natural organiser and administrator who promoted his first time trial in 1953 and his first road race in 1955. Mike Roberts recalls John amusing himself by working out the Handicap points for the Wheelers’ club 10 mile series each week during his lunchtime at work. He was the Manchester section registrar for the old BLRC, a BCF road race commissaire, a British Cycle Cross Association senior commissaire and a member of the LVRC Executive Committee. He was a key figure in the development and success of The League International (TLI) and also part of the team who managed the change to the organisation we now call TLI Cycling. He occupied senior roles in both organisations for many years. John let organisers get on with running events but was always there to advise or offer suggestions on how things could be improved. He loved cycle racing, and wanted it kept simple and hard fought.

John made an outstanding contribution to both the Wheelers and to cycle sport in general. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

The club extends its deepest sympathies and condolences to all his family at this sad time.