Athletics coach John Hyland has slammed the "foolhardiness" of having two athletics clubs in Colchester.

The Colchester and Tendring Athletics Club coach says the sport would flourish in the area if his club joined forces with rivals Colchester Harriers.

But despite repeated calls for them to unite, some officials in both camps believe the clubs should remain independent because they specialise in different events.

Hyland said: "Although Colchester and the Harriers are slightly more amiable to each other than in the past, they're still no nearer to discussing a merger than five years ago.

"It's a farcical situation. Recently, to cut expenses, the two clubs travelled to a meeting in Hemel Hempstead together and shared the same coach.

"Then they had to compete against each other and finished second and third respectively. A united Colchester would have won the meeting quite comfortably.

"This creates an 'us and them' situation which generates down into schools, doing very little for the image of athletics which needs all the help it can muster at grass roots level."

Hyland urged those against a merger to have a rethink for the benefit of athletics. And he blamed a lack of strength in depth at the clubs for creating a situation whereby the fortunes of both experience peaks and troughs.

Last year one of the mens' teams in the town got promoted while its counterpart was relegated.

He added: "The situation does little to raise standards. It's a sure way of losing our better athletes to other clubs at a time when we desperately need to attract and keep new blood in to the sport.

"Surely it's not beyond both clubs to sit down in partnership and come up with a compromise so athletics in the area can go forward united and stronger. Clubs bigger than Colchester have seen the sense in merging. I hope sense prevails."

Harriers captain David Wright said he was in total agreement about the merger.

He said: "The situation has rumbled on far too long and there is so much history between the clubs. But the bottom line is that everyone would benefit.

"Something has to give one day but to be honest, I've more or less given up hope."

Harriers chairman Rick Thompson refused to comment.

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