The following tribute has been shared by Blackpool Fylde & Wyre Running Club.

David Wood was the Gazette Athletic Correspondent for Blackpool, Wyre & Fylde AC (BWF AC) for many years providing detailed reports of the athletic achievements of many club members over that period and therefore it is with great sadness that BWF AC has to announcing his passing earlier this month.

David was a Blackpool lad attending Thames Road Infant School before moving on to Palatine and upon leaving joined the Civil Service where he worked all his life. He became interested in running in the early 1990s, initially joining Red Rose Road Runners, but in 1995 transferred to North Fylde AC (NFAC) based at the Norcross Social Security Offices. 

He soon made a name for himself with his friendly manner and keenness to compete and would always volunteer to make up the team if it was short. He was an athlete you knew would never let you down and if he said he would compete he would be there – a true man of his word.

When NFAC & Blackpool & Fylde AC merged in 2006 to form BWF AC David’s running career was coming to a close due to injury. However, instead of disappearing as so many do, he found a new interest in Sports Photography and over the years honed this skill producing excellent photos of club members in action and also those in the other local clubs. He would then offer his photos to the clubs for their websites, social media pages and to the athletes themselves at no cost at all.