Today (April 16th) marks the 35th anniversary of Trackspeed1 coach John Powell taking his first coaching exam at the very venue he has coached at for every one of those three and a half decades - Crystal Palace!
Aged 17, John was verbally examined by Linford Christie's coach, Ron Roddan for his then 'Assistant Club Coach' badge, blissfully unaware at the time what a massive impact on his life - and that of countless aspiring athletes - his role as a coach would have.
Since that auspicious day in 1976, many names have passed through his hands, or have been recruited to the sport during his time as one of the most successful youth team managers in the country with Blackheath and later on Belgrave Harriers. Joice Maduaka, Phillips Idowu and Chris Lambert will be the better known names of recent years, but the number of athletes graduating from club to international level through his Trackspeed1 squad - so named only a few years ago - exceed all but the most senior coaches in the UK.
"I simply can't imagine life not being a coach," said John, who is a Police Superintendent in the Metropolitan Police, "and I reckon I'll be doing even more of it later this year. To say time flies is a cliché, but it really does, and after 30 years in the Police this year, I can retire on a full pension. My athletes won't know what's hit them when I get all that free time!"
John's CV as a coach is attached to this website, and it is clear that is efforts have not been restricted to these shores. His link with Harvard University through graduate athlete Chris Lambert were cemented with an appointment to their casual coaching staff, and his links and partnerships with individuals and groups all over the globe have made Trackspeed1 a brand unto itself.
"It's no secret that it has been a very sore point when it comes to athletes moving on," said John. "I've never really learned to take those sort of knocks on the chin, and I still get riled when it's clear that outside forces have been at work. Athletes here get a seriously good deal, but the grass is so often made to appear greener. But very few sprinters have ever improved after leaving, which surely counts for something. That's why I hold such respect for athletes like James Ellington, who moved to another coach, but was big enough to admit it wasn't working, and come back. And now he's setting PB's again!
"The job satisfaction from coaching is unique, and it's incredibly addictive. But coaches in track and field are hugely under-rated - few people outside the sport see the trials and tribulations we have to suffer for the sake of success."
A production company are shadowing John and his squad this year with a view to producing a documentary film on what lies behind success on the track. Supported by Adidas, it promises to link his Policing role, the Met-Track scheme he founded in 2005, and a number of the athletes in his squad. Set against the background of London as the Olympic city in 2012, it will graphically illustrate just how tough it is to reach the top.
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