Judo coach rejects hall of fame offer in protest

One of the Black Country's most successful coaches today rejected the offer of a place on Wolverhampton's Sporting Hall of Fame in protest at the way sport is treated by the city council.

Mac Abbotts turned Wolverhampton Judo Club into the most successful in the country while helping to train a string of stars to a clutch of Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth Games medals.

The 63-year-old has run the club with fellow coach Dave Brooks for 44 years. Mr Abbotts had been invited to a dedication ceremony on September 25.

However The father-of-six from Willenhall said: "As much as I would like to accept, I would be a hypocrite after what they are now doing to my club in particular and sport in general.

"The support over the last few years has been disappointing and has now dwindled to next to nothing.

Wolverhampton City Council said it rejected suggestions it had turned its back on the club were working hard to support them.