Tribute paid to Morecambe boxing legend who has died aged 61

Frank Harrington, founder and owner of Coastal Amateur Boxing Club, died on Tuesday December 6.

Coastal Amateur Boxing Club paid tribute to Frank Harrington on their Facebook page.

They said on Wednesday: “It is with great sadness that our founder and owner, Frank Harrington passed away last night.

“Frank has positively impacted countless young peoples lives through the gym and is known and loved, far and wide within the boxing community and wider. We are all deeply deeply saddened and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this sad time.

“We won't be running any boxing sessions for the immediate future out of respect to Frank.

“We understand there are many young boxers who will want to pay respects or may want to talk to someone about this, therefore, coaches will be in the gym tonight for this reason.

“Rest in peace Frank, it's hard to put into words how much you'll be missed, just know we are all absolutely devastated.”

Frank founded the Coastal Amateur Boxing Club and Red Rose Community Centre in Morecambe, giving youngsters the opportunity to train, get physically fit and learn boxing.

The community centre on West End Road also hosts fitness and martial arts classes, and aims to give young, deprived and disadvantaged people a place to come together, stay off the streets and get physically fit, with the opportunity of gaining employment.

He set up the community centre to help underprivileged kids and get them off the streets.

He also promoted many local amateur boxing shows and 'white-collar' fight nights at venues all over the area.

A book which lifted the lid on the professional boxers from Morecambe and Lancaster from days gone by featured the tale of the late Frank Harrington’s career.

Boxers from the Bay was written by Larry Braysher, whose previous book Boxing by the Sea was about the history of boxing at Morecambe Winter Gardens.

Hard punching Frank Harrington was a pro in the 1980s and early 90s with a vaunted left hook.

He was best known as a trainer and amateur boxing promoter in Morecambe.

As a promoter he also brought boxing back to Morecambe Winter Gardens after many decades' absence.

In 2012 at the age of 50, he returned to the ring himself to battle British boxing icon Nigel Benn on a famous fight night in Lancaster.

In an article in The Visitor newspaper he said: “It was by far the best show I’ve ever put on and I’ve fulfilled a lifelong dream by being in the ring with one of my heroes.”

The following year, Frank boxed again, this time in an exhibition against the former world super middleweight champion from Ireland, 'The Celtic Warrior' Steve Collins, held at the University of Cumbria in Lancaster.

The Coastal club has also been used and visited by many of Morecambe and Lancaster's best-known boxers, including world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, and other professionals including Isaac Lowe and Reece MacMillan.

Frank will be much missed by his family, friends and all his colleagues in the boxing community.