Text: Prospect for Perth 2-Ron Killey.

To the inexperienced eye Ron Killey looks anything but an athlete. But to people in the game his slight frame, thin legs and gaunt expression indicate the physical equipment of a hill-climber.

He is the first to admit, and with a certain amount of pride that most of the races he has won have been decided on the climbs. He is one of the best road racing cyclists this Island has produced.

At 31 Ron Killey, chairman of the Manx Road Club and this year of the Isle of Man Cycling Association, is one of the oldest in the game. But the fact that he is still riding his bike and with success clearly shows that he does not feel that athletically a man is finished after about 25 years.

He has revealed that he will retire from the competitive side of the sport after this season.

His record shows that he has raced off the Island, in all parts of the United Kingdom, 25 times and been placed in the first six on 17 occasions. Since he began racing in 1950 Ron has notched up 48 open road race wins racing from 10 mile time trials to 12 hr. events.

He has held the Best All Rounder trophy four times and agrees that his best season was in 1956 when he finished 10th in the Manx International. That year the race was won by the Italian Ercole Baldini, who went on to win the amateur and professional World Road Race Championships!

The same year Ron competed in 1,000 mile Tour of Britain and finished 3rd with one stage win. Since then he has figured prominently in races.

In 1957 he was short listed for international competition by the British League of Racing Cyclists - now defunct.

He weighs 9 stone 12 lbs. and measures 5 ft. 8 ins. His hill-climbing ability is well known and his fellow club-mate Peter Callow is the only other local rider who can stay with him when he decides to 'make a break' on climbs during races.

An employee of the Isle of Man Water Board, Ron is married with a four year old daughter Janette. His wife Diana cycled at one time and she still shows interest in her husband's athletic career. She herself is a very talented ballet dancer.

'Show Biz' seems to be in the family because one of Ron's off-the-bike activities is acting and he had several small parts in the Douglas Choral Union's 'Kismet' production. He dabbles in writing and is "Cotter-pin" in the Ramsey courier.

Back to his sporting life, Ron tells me that like John Killip, featured last week, he is a supporter of the vitamin fad. He believes in a scientific approach to the sport and his training includes yoga. He is happy with his present rate of progress, has been getting in 200 miles a week on the bike, and hopes to do some additional training when he takes an early season holiday this month. Ron firmly feels that dedication is essential to success, he finds that he can cope with 7 hrs. sleep and is not a food fanatic although he keeps off fatty foods and likes his tea very weak, he neither smokes or drinks.

He has been selected to ride in the Irish Tour of the North 3 day race, at Easter and on March 23rd goes to Liverpool with a club-team to ride in the 66 mile Frankby Road Race.

This season he hopes to ride on the track. He has not starred as a track rider previously, but thinks he might remedy this.

Last year he finished 6th in the Viking Trophy and wants to ride in this year's International "I feel confident internationalwise and feel I can produce the results and that is what matters. Local events are not so important."

He would like to see a Manx team competiting in the International - 3 laps of the T.T. course - every year but realises that although the riders are available they will not give good account of themselves for at least another three years.

On giving up the sport, which I know will take some courage, Ron wants to devote his time to organising and if possible coaching up and coming riders. With his wealth of experience this might be what local cycling needs.

If Ron Killey - coureur formidable - does get a ticket to Perth, it will be his second Empire Games. He was in the Manx road race team which competed in Cardiff in 1958. When he did not finish this time he is out to make amends.

Text: Cyclists' Long Ride

Isle of Man cyclist Ron Killey (32), rode the 126 miles from Perth to Collie last Friday - for a training spin. He is pictured soon after arriving here.

- Photo by Bill De Boer.

Training for the Empire Games 120-mile road race, Killey decided to ride to Collie to act as manager for the Isle of Man team, and to sharpen up his training programme.

The wiry cyclist rode the 126 miles through wind and rain, in six hours 40 minutes, including a stop of one hour for lunch.

He described the journey as very pleasant, especially the last 25 miles through Roelands. He was assisted with a tail wind for the last stage of his journey.

Killey has been cycling for about 12 years, but says that he will retire after the Games.

Long distance road racing, Killey said, needed much stamina and he usually covered up to 250 miles a week in training and competitive events. His programme comprised about 180 miles training each week and 70 miles racing.

With an impressive record behind him Killey hopes for a good ride in the Empire Games event. He said that he is impressed with the King's Park course, which would call for good pace and stamina.

The longest race Killey has ever ridden in was the 1,000-mile tour of Britain in 1956 which lasted eight days. He finished a creditable third.

This year he won the title of the best all-rounder in the time trials for Isle of Man cyclists. Another major success was first place in a 75-mile road race in Wales, which included a top-class field.

With the adverse weather conditions prevailing on Saturday, Killey decided to travel to Pinjarra on the Games cyclists' chartered bus and ride from there to Perth.

Many Visitors: Despite The Weather

In spite of wintery weather on Friday many visitors came to Collie for the pre-Games cycling events which unfortunately, had to be abandoned because of the unfavourable weather conditions.

Among those first to arrive was Mr. Dick McDonald, president of the Australian Schoolboys Cycling Association. Mr. McDonald, who works for Dunlops in Perth, travelled to Collie with the New Zealand team. He has been interested in cycling for many years and has played a big part in the schoolboy cycling events in Perth during the past six years.

Another visitor was Mr. S. Griffiths, an official of the Western Districts Club in Perth. An ardent follower of amateur cycling in Perth for many years, Mr. Griffiths was an official at the Australian cycling track championships held in Perth in 1959. His son Dennis (26), who also came to Collie for the carnival, belongs to the same club.

Among the personalities in town was Mr. Frank Thompson who, as chaffeur to Sir Charles Gairdner, travelled to Collie on official business. Mr. Thompson, of Rossmoyne, is a member of the Royal Car Visit Unit stationed at Perth.

Mr. Ray Hammond, of Perth, was another official here for the carnival. A handicapper for the W.A. Amateur Cycling Union, Mr. Hammond acted as manager for the nine amateurs who travelled to Collie. He has been connected with amateur cycling for 15 years.

Tom Godwin (England) and Alwyn Pennington (New Zealand) were the only official managers in Collie for the carnival. Both have been connected with amateur cycling in their respective countries for a number of years and have won the respect of their team members.

Isle of Man road rider Ron Killey acted as manager for his team. The Welsh riders were without their manager, who had to attend a conference in Perth on Friday.

A number of Pressmen visited Collie, among them Mr. Reg Monkhouse, editor of the South-Western Times, Bunbury, Daily News sporting writer Ross Elliott and several overseas journalists, including some from Canada.

Mr. Nelson Burton, president of the W.A. Amateur Cycling Union, was in Collie acting in his official capacity and also as the cycling correspondent for several city papers.

Versatile Young Sportman

Twenty-two year old Isle of Man cyclist Roger Kelly has represented his country at both track cycling and motor cycling.

Like many other track and road cyclists, Kelly turns his attention to motor bike racing during the winter because weather conditions on the Isle of Man are unfavourable for cycling.

It is too cold and wet during the winter, and road and track cycling is considered unsafe.

Kelly became interested in motor cycling about five years ago, and represented his country in 1959, 1960 and 1961 in the 250 c.c. class. He competed in international scratch events.

He is one of the few track cyclists, possibly the only one, ever to represent the country at both sports.

The other article, "A Confident Rider From Wales", is about Wales champion cyclist, Don Skene.

Text: Fine Show by the Island Quartette

Ron Killey was the third best Great Britain rider and sixth in the race in the 120 miles British Empire and Commonwealth Games cycling road event over 31 laps of the 3.78 miles King Park circuit at Perth, Western Australia last Saturday.

And Peter Callow rode the race of his life against injuries received the previous Thursday evening to finish 12th and fifth best Great Britain rider.

Roger Kelly's painful injuries in the 10 miles track event naturally raised questions of him starting in the road race, but courageously - and after treatment by an Australian masseur - he did so and for 2½ hours he remained with the field until his right leg would take him no further.

He had his reward a few minutes later when he relaxed at the roadside outside the Isle of Man pit tent under the shadow of the park trees.

The Duke of Edinburgh strolled up and sympathised, and stayed chatting with the Manx boy for 10 minutes. His Royal Highness and Roger were laughing and cracking jokes by the end, and the Manx party were thrilled at the gesture from the Games President.

Meanwhile, Killey, Callow and Killip were putting up a wonderful show in the race - a tough but fascinating race in which it soon became clear that the only riders who mattered were going to be the teams from England, Australia, New Zealand and the Isle of Man.

Constantly the public address commentators round the park road circuit had the "Isle of Man" boys on their lips.

Story of the Games Cycle Road Race

The Manx boys figured prominently thoughout - and were a real credit to the Island.

The race began at 7 a.m. in early morning sunshine and fortunately the temperature did not rise too steeply. In fact it was akin to the best conditions that would be experienced on a sunny warm day in the Island in June, with a cool breeze blowing off the Swan river far below.

The pace at the start was sedate and nobody was ready to rouse the field to action in the early stages.

Always up the front well placed for any moves were the Manx quartette.

The first break came when John Killip went out with three others to build up an attack, but it was too early to be taken seriously - although John himself had his moment of glory. He paid for it later.

The first real attack came when Ken Nuttall of England, a New Zealander and an Australian broke loose.

This trio built up a big gap which stretched to over 3½ minutes. It was a danger move, for the group contained one from each of the big teams and it was mainly left to the Manx trio (Roger had retired by this time) to do much of the work to keep the race under control. At this point Killey was riding strongly and intelligently. Callow was always there with him, and so was Killip. But if the gap was to be closed, the Isle of Man had to do it. The rest of the field was either not inclined for team reasons or was just not good enough.

Eventually, the Australian team manager for some reason ordered the Australian in the leading group to desist. He peeled off, and immediately Killey led an attack to close the gap. This he did as Nuttall and the New Zealander tired.

The field was together again - but not for long. Two New (continued on Page 9)

From Page One ....

Games Cycling Road Race

Zealanders attacked fiercely and got away (at one time there were three of them). The race was now on. The Australians and the England teams had to respond - and it suited the Manx boys finely.

But Australian Frank Brazier (who was being kept for the finish) sat tight. The other Australians were not good enough, and in any case, one had shattered himself in the three-man break. Mason for England sat tight. Nuttell had sold out. Addy of England was not good enough. Butler, the national champion was suffering.

Again it was the Manx contingent who had to fight to cut the gap made by the Kiwis. Killey led this pursuit lap after lap ably supported by Callow and Killip, until John at 100 miles had to call it a day. He was sold out.

Ensconced in this fierce race now was Peter Callow, with Ron Killey leading the raid on the New Zealand threat. Slowly the gap closed and with 16 miles to go, the Kiwis "died" in their attempt to keep away.

The field was now whittled down: Mason, Butler and Nuttall of England; four New Zealanders, three Australians and Killey and Callow - with N. Ireland surprise number Johnston.

The attack came with two laps to go. The commentator sized up the position: one England rider, two New Zealanders, two Australians, two Manxmen and an Irishman.

It looked all set for a battle to the line between Brazier of Australia (who beat Stuart Slack by inches for the silver medal at Cardiff) Mason of England - and Peter Callow.

These three had kept themselves going in the groups throughout and were obviously best fitted for sprint battles at the end. The New Zealanders were always a big threat but the query was whether their attacks and breaks had worn them down.

Excitement in the Manx pit ran high as the field swept by with two laps to go.

It was satisfying and thrilling to hear the Isle of Man challenge constantly referred to by the loud speakers.

Then Peter's experiences on the Thursday evening took toll. At 115 miles he "came of the back" - fighting desperately and dramatically to hold on.

This great young Manx rider gave everything he had to stay on. But the gap opened and opened. He strove onwards alone, dazed, parched, grim and full of suffering.

On went the group, now one less. Killey was left. A rider without a great finishing sprint, Ron had only one hope for the major honours: a final onslaught on the hill as he climbed it for the 31st time. He had a go - he tore at himself to get loose but his tremendous pursuits early on left him physically weaker. The spirit was there and the fierce determination - but the legs would not respond.

So up the hill the surviving group of seven. Oh, for a Peter Callow on top form was the wish of the Manx supporters at this moment.

But all eyes now on the leaders as they diverted from the course down the Park avenue to the descending finishing straight.

And Mason - winner of the Viking Trophy in 1961 in the Isle of Man - came out to win by many lengths from the two New Zealanders, with Brazier next, Johnston of N. Ireland and Killey next (Ron was sixth) and Powell of Australia lenghts behind Killey.

Two New Zealanders and an Australian came along some moments later in single file, then on his own British national champion Keith Butler (once a Clypse Handicap winner in June) - and then the lone, tiring, shattered figure of Peter Callow, determined to the end and fifth best Briton.

A long string of riders followed him home - most of them coming through up to ten minutes later as they were up to two and three laps in arrears.

The Manx boys had given everything they had. The scene at the finish was proof of that. But inside an hour they had recovered well, and were holding the "inquest" and had forgotten their desperate fatigue.

Much of the credit for the Manx team's fitness for the road race must go to the Manx team attache and his wife, Bob and Nell Bestman. To overcome the disadvantages of living in the Games Village the night before the race (the last nights in the Village can become noisy with most competitors finished their events) Bob and Nell had arranged for the four boys to sleep in their own luxury flat in Perth, five minutes ride from the race start, and two friends in the flats gave beds to two of the boys too.

The team arrived at the flats at 6 p.m. the previous evening and went early to bed and at the 4 30 a.m. call for breakfast were rested with the best night's sleep possible - and a superb breakfast cooked by Nell (with steaks and chicken and eggs supplied by the Games Village Catering Director).

At 6.25 a.m. the red track suited team followed the team car through the streets of the city to the control check for the race at 6.30 a.m.

This hospitality by the team attache and his wife did much to ensure that the boys started and raced with the best possible preparation.

An Australian masseur took immediate charge of Roger at the pit tent to give his right leg treatment to enable him to start with a chance and Roger began happily and content that he had played his part - which he had already done to the full.

The time for the race was 5.20.26 - about 22 m.p.h., but the last 50 miles were much much faster than the first 60. Total distance was 117¼ miles.

And remarkably, not one puncture was reported during the race! There were no spills. Two riders collapsed with cramp. There were 23 finishers, last rider being half an hour behind the winner.

Top left picture caption: Revealing his complete exhaustion and giving everything he had in the road race - Peter Callow at the finish with Roger Kelly.

Top right picture under "Royal Joke With Roger Kelly" caption: His right arm and leg heavily bandaged following his track crash, Roger Kelly retired in the Empire Games road cycling race after 2½ hours in the saddle. Sympathetically H.R.H. Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh came to the Manx pit and consoled the young Manxman with lively conversation.

Top page, bottom right picture caption: The Isle of Man road cycling team in their smart turn-out at the start of the Games road race at Perth on Saturday. Picture note: Ron is on the right.

Bottom page, top left picture caption: The Isle of Man Team Pit at the cycling road race. On left team attache Bob Bestman and on right Derek Killip from Canberra whose wife Stella talks to Peter Crellin.

Bottom page, top right picture caption: The Scene At the finish of the Empire Games road race on Saturday with Peter Callow approaching the line.

Bottom right picture caption: Busy Scenes at the Games road race after passing the pits. Peter Callow (No. 31) has just taken a sponge.

Text: Ron will still keep the wheels turning.

By Colin Brown.

A connection with the Manx civil service stretching back over 40 years ended on Wednesday when Ron Killey left his desk at the Department of Highways, Ports and Properties.

But it will be no feet-up, pottering in the garden, type of retirement for Ron. After years of helping the civil service wheels go round he is turning his attention to wheels of another kind. On Sunday he assumes the title of driver and official attache to the United States team in cycling's Milk Race

This goes on for a fortnight and Ron's task will be to drive the van containing the team's equipment and to look after the welfare of the riders between stages. The invitation to perform this function came through race director Phil Liggett. With extra teams entered this year he was looking for experienced helpers to supplement teams personnel and Ron fitted the bill.

So instead of being at his desk at the DHPP on Monday morning he will be driving from London to Bournemouth with the United States team on the first stage proper of the race. He has been a team manager for a regional team in the event before but this will be the first time he has been a driver.

At 59 Ron decided to retire a year early so he devote more time to his other main interest - cycling, and the Commonwealth Games in particular - at an especially busy time.

He has been secretary of the Commonwealth Games Association of the Isle of Man since 1982 and under the constitution he will be attending next year's event in New Zealand. This is so that he can attend to the administrative needs of the team and also to attend the general congress of the federation which is usually held while the Games are in progress.

With 1990 being games year there will be a lot of paperwork for Ron to get through before the Manx team leaves for Auckland. He will almost certainly have another task to perform while he is there. Last time he was assistant team manager as well and before that he was cycling team manager.

Another major factor which influenced his decision to retire early was the visit to the Island this summer of his daughter who lives in Toronto. Janette - a former ballet dancer - will be bringing the Killey's grandchildren over for a six weeks holiday.

The Killey's son Neil (26) trained in the Manx civil service computer section for 2½ years before leaving to become a free-lance computer analyst and programmer.

Like his father he has the travel bug. Having worked in the United States and Holland on short term contracts, Neil is now back in England.

Cycling has been part of Ron Killey's life since around 1950. He raced at a high level from 1950 until 1962 and represented the Isle of Man as a competitor at the 1958 and '62 games - finishing in 6th place in the 120 miles road race at the latter one.

He has attended every Commonwealth Games since the Island first competed at Cardiff in 1958. This will be his ninth.

However, cycling isn't Ron's only hobby. He explains: 'Another big interest is walking and I am chairman of the footpaths section of the Conservation Council. In addition I play bridge every week and am also a keen photographer, so I certainly won't be lacking in things to do in my retirement.'

He will also have certain domestic requirements in his leisure time. Wife Diana will be carrying on work as personal secretary to the Chief Constable so Ron will be assisting with the household chores - although not so much on the cooking side as his wife is a very good cook. 'I'll maybe peel the odd potato or two.'

As regards his career, Ron started with the civil service in 1946 as a temporary messenger. After 20 months national service he took up a position as temporary clerk at the General Registry and then moved on to the Revenue Office - the former income tax payments section.

An appointment as assistant clerk at the Water Board followed in 1952. He remained there until 1971 when he transferred to the Assessment Board as executive officer grade 2. The next move came five years later, this time to the Highway Board as executive officer grade one.

He has stayed in the department, now called the DHPP, ever since. Over the years he has acted as assistant secretary to the Board, Clerk to the Road Traffic Commissioners; secretary to the Road Safety Committee; and Registrar of the Driving Instructors Register, as well as dealing, latterly, with airport leases.

What changes has he seen in the civil service? He replied: 'It has certainly changed dramatically in the last two years through the ministerial system.

'There has been an attempt to rationalise and streamline the service and I know that in this department we are under tremendous pressure because it has been streamlined too much. I think this is now being recognised as we are getting a few more staff in the near future.

'Morale has been low because in some cases pay scales are below those in the UK and there are so many opportunities in the private sector. A lot of people have been drifting out of the department and we have lost some excellent officers in recent years.

'Hopefully this is now changing as pay scales have been brought into line. But there is no doubt that the ministerial system has made life extremely hectic for the officers who are trying to carry out their duties.

'Under the old system you would hold a board meeting where a lot of items could be dealt with quite easily, now we have to prepare papers for virtually every matter we deal with which have got to be approved by the minister. It has increased the paperwork considerably.'

Top picture caption: Cheers! Staff of the Department of Highways, Ports and Properties, drink a toast to colleague Ron Killey who has retired after 40 years in the Isle of Man Civil Service.

Top picture note: Ron is in the middle (left) shaking hands with Bill Vincent.

Middle picture caption: Kissogram girl Karen Saunders was a special, if unexpected, guest at Ron's [sic]

Bottom picture caption: Ron Killey (right) receives a retirement gift from DHPP Administrator Bill Vincent, on behalf of the staff, at a special ceremony at the Sea Terminal. The main present consisted of a telephone for use in Ron's office at home. He is secretary of the Island's Commonwealth Games Association and anticipates a busy retirement.

Text: Now Ron prepares for his investiture at the Palace.

Back from his 11th Commonwealth Games is seasoned traveller and organiser Ron Killey, who as secretary of the Isle of Man Federation has been in Kuala Lumpur with his wife Diane.

No sooner back and unpacked, they are off to London and to Ron's investiture at Buckingham Palace, when he will receive the OBE for services to sport over a long period.

For the Killeys it will be a family reunion with their 35 year old son Neil, who is travelling from Sacramento, California, where he is a computer analyst programmer with Deloitte Touche, working for the California goverment.

Originally with the Manx Government, as with his father, Neil has been working internationally but has been in the States for the last seven years.

His sister Janette, who was in Canada for a time, now runs her own Alexander School of Dancing in California and she too will be at the Palace to share her father's proud moment.

Diana Killey's cousin, editor of Dance Express, is organising members of her south of England family to join them all in a luncheon reunion after the investiture.

Recalling the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, Ron said it had been the happiest Manx team he ca remember.

The weather had been very hot and humid and the climate had taken its toll on competitors and officials alike.

Diane has responded well to the climate, unlike previously, Robin Oake (chairman) spent a day in hospital and then his wife Chris was laid low.

Dursley Stott, as a president, sailed through and, with the Oakes, gave the Manx team a lot of support.

The Killeys, Oakes and Dursley were pleased to be entertained by Peter and Waveney Jenkins, who spent most of the year in Kuala Lumpur but who have a home in the north of the Island near Mrs Jenkins's widowed mother, Mrs Howson Devitt.

The Manx officials were taken to lunch at the Kuala Lumpur CLub and then to see the Jenkins' new home in the country, with its Malayan house in the grounds.

Note: Janette's Alexander School of Dancing was actually in the Isle of Man and not California as stated in the article.

Text: Happy Ron at Palace.

Sunshine crowned a wonderful London visit when Ron Killey received the OBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

As the picture above shows, it was a really happy occasion for the family, who were reunited with son Neil, who is with Deloitte Touche in California and who has been there for more than eight years.

After a period in Canada daughter Janette has returned to the Island and is now running her own school of ballet in Douglas.

Well briefed by friends who have recently been honoured at the Palace, the family were early arrivals and so were able to obtain front row seats in the ballroom.

Ron joined other recipients for a rehearsal and instructions and there he was able to observe golfer Colin Montgomery, who received an MBE, and actor Leslie Phillips (the 'toff' in the Carry On films), who received an OBE.

Ron was a deserved recipient of an honour for his great work in sport life on and off the Isle of Man over a period in excess of 40 years.

Honour.

He was a well known cyclist and competitor and then undertook duties with the Isle of Man Commonwealth Games Association, resulting latterly in th honour of being on the federation of Commonwealth Games countries.

The Queen told him 'You have done very well' after Ron told her he had now retired from the federation bout would continue to act as secretary to the Isle of Man Association.

The sun shone for the photographic session before the family went on to meet Diane Killey's sister Janet, formerly Alexander, and both educated at the Douglas High School.

Other relatives joined a champagne lunch at their hotel, the Vanderbilt. Diane, who retired from the civil service as a private secretary to His Excellency at Government House, wore a wool dress and jacket in golden beige with a matching and hat.

Janette wore a striking navy blue suit with pleated skirt and a large navy hat.

Next day the Killeys went to see the restored Albert Memorial at Kensington, the National Gallery, paid a first visit to Harrods and then lunched in Covent Gardens.

'It is something we will never forget,' they said.

Text: A lifetime dedicated to sport

Ron Killey has been nominated for the sporting achievement category of the Isle of Man Newspapers/BA CitiExpress Pride in Mann awards by Eunice Salmond for his services to sport in general and the Isle of Man Commonwealth Games movement in particular.

The Isle of Man Commonwealth Games Association had quite a void to fill when Ron Killey OBE stood down as honorary secretary last year.

His dedication to the Games was quite unique. In all he gave 45 years' continued service to the movement, attending 12 Commonwealth Games on behalf of the Isle of Man, twice as a competitor and 10 times as an official.

The highlights of his own personal sporting career were finishing sixth in the 1962 Commonwealth Games cycling road race in Perth, Australia and gaining a similar result in the Manx International road race over three laps of the TT Course during the 1950s.

Ron was a member of the Council of the Commonwealth Games Association of the Isle of Man as a cycling representative from 1963 to 1982 and was appointed honorary secretary of the Manx Association in 1983, retiring from that post in April, 2003.

On retirement from cycle racing, he undertook a British Cycling Federation coaching course at Lilleshall, Shropshire in 1965 where he qualified as a senior cycling coach. He was then appointed by the IoM Cycling Association as the national team manager and coach, a post he held for 17 years until 1982.

During this period, the coaching system he set up on the Island resulted in many Manx cyclists achieving a high standard of excellence which enabled them to represent the IoM at the Commonwealth Games and Great Britain in many international events, such as the Milk Race and World Championships.

Three Manxmen went on to become top British professional cyclists, namely Steve Joughin, Nigel Dean and Mike Doyle. Steve won the British Professional road race championship title on two occasions.

Due to his success in the field of coaching, Ron Killey's name was included on the British Cycling Federation's list of international team managers and he was chosen to manage British teams in the 1972 Milk Race, the 1982 Scottish Milk Race and events in France and Norway in the intervening years.

He remains president of the Isle of Man Cycling Association and still regularly officiates as a judge and timekeeper for local cycling events.

After representing the IoM at the Commonwealth Games Federation's general assembly and advisory committee over many years, he was appointed by the Commonwealth Games Federation at the 1990 General Assembly in Auckland, New Zealand, as vice-president of Europe.

In 1994 he was appointed to represent the European Geographical group as a member of the Commonwealth Games Federation's Sports Committee and held the post until 1998.

Ron has an outstanding record of commitment to the youth of the Island through his lifetime support as a key official in the sport of cycling and he was honoured with an OBE presented to him by Her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace, London, in November 1998.

Picture caption: Thanks: Ron Killey is pictured being presented with a crystal bowl upon his retirement last year by Dursley Stott (right) and Robin Oake, president and chairman respectively of the IoM Commonwealth Games Association. Ron was succeeded as honorary secretary by Graham Jones