Audley Harrison and Jay Bothroyd were among many to praise the impact Ron Hagland had on the local community

Islington Gazette: Former Arsenal youngster Jay Bothroyd won his only England cap against France in 2010 (pic Nick Potts)Former Arsenal youngster Jay Bothroyd won his only England cap against France in 2010 (pic Nick Potts) (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

Islington Boxing Club paid tribute to founder member Ron Hagland after he passed away late last Thursday (March 15).

He played an instrumental role in the establishment of the club in 1974 and went on to be a secretary, treasurer, honorary secretary and life vice-president at Islington BC.

The club announced his passing last week and paid homage to Hagland with a moving statement which added ‘we will miss you terribly, we hope to make you proud.’

“It is with great sadness that at 9.30pm yesterday (March 15), Ron passed away,” read a statement from Islington Boxing Club.

“Ron was one of the founder members of Islington Boxing Club (originally known as Kings Cross ABC and later Islington Boys Club) and it was largely down to him that this club is what it is today.

“Ron certainly put down the foundations for others to follow. Many friends and ex-members often came into the club to ask how he was.

“It is quite humbling to know that he was held in such high esteem by so many and helped, guided and advised hundreds of people in life.

“‘The Club’ was his life right up to the very end. I know it has made him extremely happy that IBC is really thriving nowadays and that his family are heavily involved in its running.

“We will miss you terribly, we hope to make you proud and keep progressing the club into the future.”

Tributes were paid from various different sporting personalities including 2000 Sydney Olympic gold medallist Audley Harrison.

He said: “Sad news – I was there at the club for a year – he ran a great operation and will be missed by a lot of people. Rest in Peace.”

Ex-Arsenal youngster Jay Bothroyd, who earned one cap for England in 2010 and currently plays for Japanese outfit Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, hailed the impact Hagland made not only at Islington Boxing Club, but outside of the ring.

“Rest in Peace. Ron done so much for the community, he got a lot of kids off the streets of north London and helped them do something positive,” said Bothroyd.

“I started going Islington BC when I was six or seven-years-old and I still go today in my off season for training. We will miss you.”

Hagland’s son Lenny is currently chairman at Islington BC, while his grandson Reggie also works there and Ron’s legacy will live on forever.