Eric Shirley (born 3 April 1929) ran the 3,000 metres steeplechase final at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia for Great Britain with team mates Chris Brasher and John Disley; coming in 8th with a time of 8.57. He also competed in the 1960 Olympics in Rome Italy.
He was a member of Finchley Harriers (founded 1877). In 1966, this club was amalgamated into Hillingdon Athletic Club, of which he is still a member.
Currently still an active athlete and British Record holder for the 80 year old indoor 800m. One of the few former World Class Athletes from the 1950s still competing.
Father of Eric Shirley (Junior) member of the GB Athletics Team Management at the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Olympic Games and former UK Athletics High Performance Director for London. Currently a Sports Agent and Managing Director of ESTeam Athlete Agency.
Famous quotes containing the word shirley:
“Victorious men of earth, no more
Proclaim how wide your empires are;
Though you bind in every shore
And your triumphs reach as far
As night or day,
Yet you, proud monarchs, must obey
And mingle with forgotten ashes, when
Death calls ye to the crowd of common men.”
—James Shirley (1596–1666)