A boxing stalwart today defended his club’s bid to hold another event in Shrewsbury – despite objections from the police after trouble flared last year.

Colin Hough, who has been involved with Shrewsbury and Severnside Amateur Boxing Club for 64 years, said without such events the club could be forced to disband, and news of the police objection was a ‘kick in the teeth’.

The club has applied to hold a boxing tournament at the Lord Hill Hotel on February 17.

Police have objected after trouble at an open boxing event held by the club at the same venue in October, which saw officers using CS spray after a fight broke out. Two people were arrested.

In their objection to Shropshire Council’s licensing act subcommittee, police say they believe there is ‘a realistic possibility of a disorder situation developing’.

But Mr Hough said the club was being unfairly treated because of an incident which he said did not involve anyone at the club.

He said February’s event would be a dinner show, with guests mostly coming from town businesses, whereas October’s show was an ‘open event’ which meant anyone could buy tickets on the door.

He said: “People assumed the brawl happened during the event but nobody in the main room had a clue about what was going on outside.

“There was no damage at the Lord Hill Hotel and it’s not our responsibility for what happens in the street.

“I would never hold another open event again and the difference between that and a dinner show is like black and white. I have done more than 100 dinner shows over the past 30 years – usually to raise money for charity – and there’s never been a hint of trouble.

“All we can hope is that true boxing fans will continue to support us because if the public don’t turn up then the club is not going to be viable any more.

“We’ve given far more than we’ve taken over the years and it feels like a kick in the teeth that the police have objected.”

The matter will be discussed at Shrewsbury’s Licensing Sub Committee meeting at Shirehall on January 5 at 10am.