ONE of swimmings most respected and dedicated coaches has died after a short and sudden illness.

Alan Moorhouse, who set up the Burnley Bobcats Swimming Club, died last Monday from bowel cancer after only being diagnosed the previous week.

Such was his dedication to the sport that Alan continued to work right up until he was taken ill.

Alan, who served as chairman, secretary and head coach, was awarded an MBE in 1998 for his services to sport - an award he was rightly and thoroughly proud of.

The 68-year-old leaves his wife Sallie, three children Angela, Rosie and Ian and grandson Lewis.

His funeral service took place at Unity Chapel, Padiham on Friday.

Alan set up the Bobcats - which stands for Borough of Burnley Competition Amateur Training Swimmers - in 1977 after realising there was a void in the town for swimmers to realise their true potential.

Since then, hundreds of swimmers have been coached by Alan - many of whom have gone on to swim at county and national standard. Those swimmers included daughters Angela and Rosie who went on to swim at county level.

"He really was one of a kind," said Angela who swam for Lancashire and in the national age group finals thanks to her dad's guidance. "People like my dad don't come around that often.

"He was hugely dedicated to the club and had to juggle it with running his own business.

"I remember when he was awarded his MBE. It came as a shock to him at the time but he was very proud of the achievement. It was a great recognition for his services to swimming."

Angela added: "He continued to work right up until he was taken ill and his death was such a shock to everyone who knew him."

Alan set up the club after approaching Burnley Borough Council with the idea. Trial sessions at Padiham Pool proved to be so successful that the Bobcats were formed soon after.

Alan went on to oversee six morning sessions and five evening sessions a week at the Thompson Leisure Centre and at Padiham.

Back in those days, training started so early that Alan used to have to get the keys off the night watchman to open the pool for the morning sessions.

Swimmers such as Chris Rushton - the club's first junior international - and Martin Handley who took part in the European Youth Olympics and the prestigious Australian Age Group Champions benefited most from his coaching skills.

Despite producing some of the borough's most talented swimmers, Alan never sat any training exams, but his experience more than made up for that.

In 1978, he attended a swimming clinic at Crystal Palace which was held by Doc Councilman and Alan used a lot of his methods.

Alan's dedication was unequalled so much so that the club has had to fold as there was no-one else who could dedicate so much time.

Angela added: "Sadly we have had to fold the club simply because there is no-one else who can do the work my dad used to do. Hopefully all the swimmers will be able to join other clubs in the area."

Lee Stringfellow, head coach at Pioneer 79 Swimming Club, spoke on behalf of the swimming community about the loss Alan will mean to the sport.

He said: "Alan was a dedicated, committed coach who will always be remembered in coaching circles for his love of the sport, and not for the recognition that could be gained from it.

"As a fellow coach he was always courteous, friendly and willing to discuss anything related to swimming.

"His presence within swimming in East Lancashire will be sorely missed."