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My name is Gary clarkson only son of the late John...Jack Clarkson whom was martial arts expert in karate.....My father died march 25th 1985 aged 48 yrs from cancer.....a sad and cruel loss...my sister lorraine and i are his only sibbling....i do recall as a young child his business with peter cross...who passed away many years ago.....would like to hear from any one who has photos of my father at this time...thank you.
The Spartan School of Karate was founded in Bloxwich in 1963 by a partnership of Jack Clarkson and Peter Cross. I have no information of the history of Clarkson but Peter Cross had a blue belt in Aikido and they would train together, so some Aikido techniques were migrated into Clarksons ‘Fighting Karate’
Pete Cross is now dead, but I believe Clarkson is till around.
Parallel to the club was a business “Spartan Security” which provided doormen for local clubs, notably the Caves Club in Walsall, they also provided security for other clubs as well as repossessing goods for finance companies.
They had some bad press on this in the form of a Sunday newspaper article “The Frighteners”.
One of the early trainees was an Arthur Wickson who together with some others left Spartan to found the Wolverhampton Shotokan, a Karate Union of Great Britain club.
This club trained at Hilton Hall, a community centre situated in Hilton Road off the Birmingham New Road
I moved to the Wolverhampton club in the late 60s and then after a few years finished with karate. However in the 1970s I rejoined, at that time the chief instructor was Mick Wragg. I also remember a Harry Halford who had done a lot of boxing; Harry was a likeable fellow with whom I got on well.
The standard of karate at this club was very high, and it had a formidable reputation as a fighting club.
Roy Fellows 2012
I enjoyed visiting your site. You have a wonderful aassociation.
I particularly enjoyed the martial arts memories. My instructor,Ken Dicks, used to teach at the Wado Ryu club at the Hen and Chickens pub in Dudley town centre way back in the seventies. He has been teaching at our present club, Coseley Karate, for the past 30 years.
Many thanks
Bryn
Many, many thanks Steve and everyone at Golden Serpent Martial Arts for helping me achieve my 1st DAN. Would not have achieved this without your help/Guidance.
Learnt so much more since joining this club, Many thanks Steve. Really enjoying the Kumite Gata. Looking forward to the thursday class you mentioned if it starts, and learningf the Gojo Ryu Kata's.
Hello Steve.
Just a quick note to say thanks from the Instructors at Bromyard School of Tae Kwon Do for the workshop you conducted at our Centre of Excellence. We had a great insite to the Chin Na system and will no doubt be using it within our self defence syllabus. We all look forward to working closer with you in the future and as a well established club would advise any respectable martial artist to try your system - it works!!
With Respect
Julian C. Burton
I am am from fox martial arts we practice applied karate . Nice tribute to my late friend and sensei gary spiers . Anyone wishing to do one of our gary spiers legacy seminars etc.. please don't hesitate to contact us or check our website www.fox-maa.co.uk
Steve,
I would like to thank you for a brilliant insight into Chin Na all the guys have ask me to pass on there sincere thanks,a great 2hr workshop i will fully recommend you to all the martial arts practioners i know.
Greatest respect,
Andy
Great site, trained last night, first time at this club (31-01-11), really enjoyed it, looking forward to many more sessions......
Well, this is my first visit to your blog! We are a group of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us valuable information to work on. You have done a marvellous job! florists
Hi Sensei.
Im loving the new look web site,well done( the photo gallery is excellent ). I hope to come and train with you soon as it has been far to long.
All the best,
Darren Langston
Great site Steve.I am privaleged to know you and your club.Need to set a date and meet up ! Regards David and Nin
hi, in the photo gallery my names been mispelt as jordon, instead of jordan, doesnt really matter but thought id be picky aha, good website jus need some more pics. :)
Now amended - Admin
Enjoyed the site especially your review of sensei spiers, fond memories of painfull training.
The new site looks great!
It is very good quality!
I like the logo-perhaps we could get some tshirts or sweatshirts with the logo on to advertise the club?
Regards,
Dave
Hi Steve,
excellent web site and thank you for your kind words regarding the time you spent training with me. We must get together at sometime in the future to train and have a chat about 'the old days'.
Yours in Karate
Roger Vickerman
Hi Steve
The site is great. It looks very professional and it is really pleasing for me to see you and the guys being so successful.
I wish you all the best for the future in the martial arts and in health.
Say hello to all the guys for me.
Jim Hulse
Congrats on putting up a tribute page to the late great Gary Spiers . Well Done
