IN a coaching career spanning more than 40 years, Bolton Olympic Wrestling coach Tony Morris has seen many young proteges picking up hundreds of medals at top competitions but the 69-year-old was on the receiving end with an award.

Officials from GB Wrestling decided the British Senior Championships was the perfect occasion to give Morris an 'Honourary coaching certificate' in recognition of developing young stars in the sport.

The 69-year-old said: "I was not expecting it to be honest.

"I was very honoured and they said it was for all my efforts over the years in the sport.

"I was going to have to re-apply for my coaching certificate and then they came and gave me this award which means I will be okay for future.

"It came out of the blue as Bolton have five UKCC coaches and they still want me to be head coach.

"I never thought when I started that would be picking up an award like this.

"You don't do it for that kind of recognition."

Morris has no plans on hanging up his whistle and taking a back-seat from the mats just yet.

He got involved coaching in Bolton in the 1980s after he finished competing.

He said: "I was made a regional coach as well as a GB national coach for 17 years up until the 1990s.

"Coaching is brilliant when you find young people improving and the other coaches are also helping you too.

"You can see how your work is paying off and I find it so rewarding.

"When you see them winning medals and doing so well it makes all the hours you work with them even more enjoyable."

Smithills School staged the British Senior and Junior Championships last year which was hosted by Sharples Wrestling Club and Bolton Olympic Wrestling Club.

But Morris insists he still gets excited about competitions.

He said: "When you are running events at the club I still get a buzz from it.

"It is also great to see the juniors progressing into the senior ranks.

"All their hard work is paying off too."

Craig Pilling is a shining example of the top talent coming off the production line at the club.

The Bolton star was in action at the Commonwealth Games last year and became the first ever Welshman to win a medal at the competition when he brought home a bronze.

Morris was delighted to see his success.

He said: "He was superb and it was not me who coached him as he had Welsh coaches and then Jesse Bradbury from the club too.

"It was a great feeling because he has been at the club since 11 or 12 and I can remember him when he first started and then he went on to win a medal.

"He is still hoping to go along to the next Commonwealths and try to win another."

Meanwhile at the British Senior Championships, Morris was delighted with the results of their competitors.

Among the highlight included: Mark Johnson taking silver in the 74kg category despite being in the junior ranks still, Byrom Asgharyzadegan was second in the 71kg mens greco wrestling.

Molly Winton was a runner-up in the women's freestyle while Hussein Asgharyzadegan was third in the veterans section and Tony Collin was third in the freestyle veterans at 97kg level.