TWO community sports clubs have teamed up to secure their futures.

Consett Amateur Boxing Club has moved in with Delta Boxing Club, which is based at former Consett YMCA premises on Parliament Street.

Earlier this year, Durham County Councillor Stephen Robinson announced plans to build a new gym at the back of the Grove and Moorside Social and Community Club, near the A692, as it had been using a back room at the premises.

Cllr Robinson said: “We secured the money for it but the build was a huge task.

“There was that much going on to do the new build but Delta came along, we sat down round a table and decided to come in here.

“We have become friends and it is very positive.

“The community building plans we had drawn up have been handed over to the club.

“It won’t be a boxing club though because there is only one boxing club in Consett now and that is this one.”

The amalgamation of the two clubs to form Consett Delta Amateur Boxing Club means they can share equipment, coaching and a ring to spar in.

There are also plans to put on shows to raise money for the club.

Billy Robson, chief executive of Delta North, the charity which left the YMCA earlier this year to focus on its work with alternative education, said: “We have come together and it is working out a treat.

“It is really good seeing everybody enjoying it.

“The new partnership is great because we have got good coaches and a great background team.

“Both clubs were lacking, but we have got everything now and it is all just gelling together.

“It is all about the young people progressing together.”

Both clubs together have over 30 members ranging from primary school pupils to middle aged men who train for fitness with sessions held three evenings a week.

Classes cost £2 a session, £1 for under 16s.

Training is held on Mondays from 5.30pm for juniors, 6.30pm for seniors, and on Wednesday and Friday from 6pm to 7.30pm.

Coach Alan Walker, who trained former cruiserweight world champion boxing Glenn McCrory, from nearby Annfield Plain, said: “The youngsters are doing really well at the moment.

“They train really hard and they love going in the boxing ring to spar with each other.

“The parents are over the moon.

“We had a couple who are just five years old and their mothers just sit watching.

“There is an excellent atmosphere now the clubs have come together and the coaches get on great.

“We would love to produce another Glenn.”