Club History

Move to London

Neville brought with him his reputation as one of the country's top coaches and two outstanding swimmers, Alyson Jones and Sarah Kerswell, later to be joined by Nigel Goldsworthy from Kelly College. Alyson had competed in the 1974 Commonwealth Games, trained with Neville during medical training and qualified as a doctor in time to move south when he took over at Swiss Cottage. During that first year (1980) the Club made the final of the National Inter Club Championships at Coventry with much help from the three new members who still hold club records to this day.

Sarah Kerswell made three finals in the 1982 Commonwealth Games. Nigel Goldsworthy was National Champion over 50m freestyle in 1981 and 1982 and 100m freestyle in 1982 and he represented Great Britain from 1981-1984. Gillian Hill, a home grown swimmer, became a Junior International.

Neville Cross decided in 1984 to take a degree at Edinburgh University. His going was much regretted but he made amends by recommending to us his replacement, Dave Hobbs. Successes continued under Dave with Alyson's 10 Golds at the National Masters in 1984 followed by National titles for 50m and 100m freestyle in 1985. The latter led, in the same year, to her recall to the Great Britain team for the Europa Cup and in 1986 to a place in the Great Britain B Team. Between 1987 and 1990 Alyson set six European Masters records and in 1991 and 1992 helped to better four Masters Relay records as well as achieving an individual record in 1993 for 50m backstroke. An inspiration to the club, she took over as Chair.