Accrington judo legend Phil Smithson dies at age of 71

Phil Smithson was given the responsibility of running the Bredakwai Judo Club in Accrington at the age of 16 and continued to run the club for more than 45 years.

During this time, he met his wife Eileen, a judoka herself, and between them, they supported thousands of children, young people, and adults through the power of judo and their compassion and tutorage.

Phil with his wife Eileen and daughter Sami (Image: BJA)

Phil was also the coach of the North West Women & Girls judo squad.

In 2018, he was recognised and awarded the Hyndburn Sports Awards lifetime achievement award for his stellar work in supporting the community of Hyndburn and the surrounding areas.

Among his many achievements in this role, he listed helping children overcome speech impediments, giving children a safe space to be themselves outside of the challenges of education and home life, and never turning away a child for being ‘too difficult.’

Phil and Eileen were the trailblazers for adaptive judo, with fully inclusive classes, and during the 1980s and 1990s, they added regional squad managers to their portfolio.

Phil competed into his 70s (Image: BJA)

They were formally recognised by the British Judo Association in 2012 with a Volunteers of the Year award, and Phil is still on the Hyndburn Sports Centre Wall of Fame for his sporting achievements.

Phil embraced the opportunity of leading the North West Women & Girls squad and took on challenging policies in order to get equal funding for girls and women, thus enabling more from the North West to start their judo journeys.

During their tenure, Phil and Eileen ran many successful trips to national and team championships, bringing home the first Women & Girls National Team medals.

Phil receiving a lifetime achievement award at the Hyndburn Sports Awards (Image: BJA)

At this time, Phil also competed around the veterans’ circuit, winning national and international medals and inspiring many others to continue their competitive journeys.

He continued to compete in veterans’ championships until just last year at the age of 70.

Performance was never Phil’s sole focus, and his top-rate coaching enabled several members to gain full international representation, including his daughter Sami.

He was extremely proud of all his former members, some of whom have gone on to lead their own clubs and even excel further, including Nathon Burns, who competed for both Great Britain and Ireland, the latter of whom he is now head coach of.

Nathon said: “Phil was a giant of a man, his actions throughout his life have left incredible footprints on so many people who had the opportunity to be around him.

“His personality was so infectious, and he created and made some of my absolute fondest memories.

"He’s one of the very few humans who helped me fall in love with judo and create a fire I have never lost for the sport.

Phil with some of his fellow judokas in the 1980s (Image: BJA)

“More importantly, he instilled key principles in me and I’m just one of many people who feel like this and am extremely thankful I had Phil in my life growing up.”

Phil leaves behind his best friend and wife Eileen, children Steven and Sami, and grandchildren Jessica, Neve and Pippa, along with his brother Jimmy and nieces and nephews.

He died unexpectedly at his home on Tuesday, September 24.

The British Judo Association said: “The judo family will be forever grateful for Phil’s contribution to many hundreds of children and adults falling in love with judo.

“He will be sorely missed by everyone who had the pleasure to know him.

“We wish all of Phil’s family our heartfelt condolences at this sad time.”