MIKE Jelley, the Bury Amateur Boxing Club coach who guided Amir Khan to an Olympic silver medal, has won a Sport England Coach of the Year award.

Jelley, whose family are steeped in the boxing history of the town, came out top in the Performance category.

The Sport England Coach of the Year Awards take place annually to reward the country's most dedicated coaches, from grass roots to elite levels.

The accolade is just reward for the 40 years' service Jelley has given to the organisation his father, Joe Pop Jelley, founded 70 years ago.

"I am very honoured to receive this award and Id like to dedicate it to my family," he said.

"My wife and daughters have been a big support and have to put up with me spending a lot of time on the road with the lads.

"Since I took over the club from my father I have seen thousands of youngsters pass through the doors.

"My whole life is run around Bury ABC and I cannot ever remember missing a session.

"It's hard work at times but I thoroughly enjoy coaching the, boys and I wouldn't know what to do without the club.

"And we have other kids with a great deal of potential too."

As well as the quality work he's done with Khan, Jelley also played a big part in the formative years of professional fighter Ady Lewis, Bury's double British champion, who won national titles at both flyweight and bantamweight, as well as a coveted Lonsdale Belt.

Minister of Sport Richard Caborn said: "Congratulations to Mike Jelley and the other award winners on their fantastic achievement.

"Coaches are the backbone of our sporting nation. They are not only vital to motivating and inspiring our youth, but also helping drive our elite athletes to Olympic success."

Chief executive of Sport England, Roger Draper added: "Mike has helped Amir through an outstanding year.

"It is his skills as a coach and mentor that have led Amir to winning his Olympic silver medal.

"We look forward to seeing yet more success for Mike and Amir as they continue their work towards the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne."

Mike joins three other Sport England Coach of the Year 2004 winners: Debra Hampton from Hampshire, and Bob Bellew from Tower Hamlets, who won Female and Male Community Coach for their work in gymnastics, and Tim Janvier, who won Coach of Disabled Persons for his work in basketball.

This year the awards received a record number of entries in all four categories, reflecting the outstanding levels of effort and commitment coaches produce across the country.