Lillian Barbara Board, MBE (13 December 1948 – 26 December 1970) was a British athlete. She won the silver medal in the 400 metres at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, and two gold medals at the 1969 European Championships in Athletics in Athens. Her career was cut short in 1970 when she developed the colorectal cancer that within months would claim her life. It’s no wonder the Express sports desk under him regularly took on and beat both the tabloids and broadsheets. And it is little wonder that he, after leaving the Express, made as good a stab as anybody of giving the UK a specialist sports paper in the image of L’Equipe or Gazzetta dello Sport with his Sport First paper. Ultimately Britain’s obsession for football put paid to that dream but it was a notable effort. Speaking at the time, Miss Boardman said: "He was the type of person who everyone on the street would go to for help. If any of the kids on the estate had a puncture on their bike they'd go to Cheeky - they all absolutely loved him.

Emery… - The Rugby Paper He’s quite some man, that Emery… - The Rugby Paper

In 1974, Emery ran for the United States House of Representatives against incumbent Democrat Peter Kyros and won in an upset, one of only a handful of Republican gains in a year when Democrats gained 49 seats in the House of Representatives. He was reelected in 1976, 1978, and 1980. Lillian Board had been robbed of gold in the last inches of the women’s 400 metres, beaten into second place one-tenth of a second behind Colette Besson from France. The cognoscenti returned a unanimous verdict: at 19 Lillian’s time would come at the Munich Olympiad of 1972. Somebody may have been trying to tell him something, that a bigger, better plan had been mapped out for him, a scheme so grandiose that it guaranteed him a ringside seat at major events across the world, at someone else’s expense. Best of all, he would be paid to be there. In July 2016, Emery was chosen to run for a Maine State Senate seat against incumbent Democrat David Miramant of Camden. He was unsuccessful, receiving 48% of the vote to Miramant's 52%. Rob Bagchi (27 April 2012). "50 stunning Olympic moments No25: David Hemery storms to gold in Mexico". The Guardian.David’s first call was placed to Vancouver to entice former Express sports feature writer Jim Lawton home from Vancouver to be his chief sports writer and columnist.

Lilian Board — Digital Spy

There have been so many tributes from across the industry following the news of the death of past SJA chairman David Emery.Awards from the SJA were won by Jim Lawton, a coruscating columnist and reporter, and myself, who had a licence to roam. According to reports reaching the public at the time of this publication, news is reaching the public that well known journalist died16 months after suffering a debilitating stroke. So far, no further details have been revealed at this time. The public will be updated as soon as more information is made available. David was also a devoted supporter of the Sports Journalists Association for many years. He was a member of the association’s committee and served as its chairman for a period of two years beginning in 1986. David Emery obituary and funeral plans will be released at a later date David Hemery won the first ever British Superstars competition, held in 1973, registering a second victory in 1976, and was recognised as Britain's best Superstar from 1973 to 1977. After leaving the Express, to cap it all he demonstrated entrepreneurial skills in starting up his stable of weekly, specialised sports papers.

David Tennant shows off Doctor Who costume for Red Nose Day David Tennant shows off Doctor Who costume for Red Nose Day

There are so many memories involving David. He was inspirational as a sports editor. He could do every role on a newspaper with consummate ease. About 25 years when I finally stopped after about 400 grands prix, we marvelled at my naivety as we went round Berkshire golf course at a Press Golf Society outing where David, a past captain, would produce the hip flask, and two of his sons and myself would laugh our way way along the fairways. By the time David Emery invited me to move from being rugby correspondent for the Scottish Daily Express to London, I already knew him well, had time to wander the rabbit warren corridors of the Fleet Street building and was keen to go south.When Jim (above) was preparing his latest mini-masterpieces it was not to the sports desk, nor the colleagues next to him in the Press box, he would turn to with his perennial question: “Do you think this works?” It was the mother of his three daughters at home, first in Surrey and more latterly in a little village near Chester. Now friend Shanee Boardman has set up the appeal to support his family with funeral costs and other expenses. After more than 15 seasons and almost 800 issues, The Rugby Paper is still going strong, still reaching parts of the game, not least those at community level, largely neglected through the demise of local newspapers decimated in a post-digital world. In 1956, the family moved to Ealing, west London, where Lillian and Irene, then aged 7, started studying at Drayton Green School. [2] Developing athletics career [ edit ]

Former Express sports editor David Emery on making Jim Lawton

He was known to take illicit drugs, including cocaine, monkey dust and amphetamine as well as prescription drugs which he would buy off the street. An hour later, certainly no more than 70 minutes, Lawton provided the most powerful and coruscating dispatch of his life. A Dylan Thomas-style polemic against the dying of the light, the end of innocence for sport. I can remember seeing photos in the press of her in hospital undergoing treatment for the cancer that eventually took her life. IIRC it was at a private hospital in Switzerland.Just two days later, 20 September, Board lined up for Great Britain in the 4 × 400 m relay. Running the last leg, she came from ten metres down entering the home straight to beat her old rival Besson, who was anchoring the French squad, in a dramatic photo finish, not only winning gold for Britain but also helping to set a new world record of 3:30.8. Having claimed two gold medals, it was no surprise that she was named as 'Best Woman Athlete in the Games'. [19] The relay team, featuring Board, Rosemary Stirling, Pat Lowe and Janet Simpson, was the first British team to win that title at the competition.