This year marks a truly remarkable milestone for the North Road Championship Club; 125 years of dedication, competition, and unwavering passion for north road racing.
Since our very first race in 1901 from the fabled Lerwick in the Shetland Isles, the NRCC has stood as a beacon for pigeon fanciers who seek to test themselves against the very best. That original challenge remains unchanged to this day. Lerwick is not just a race point — it is the ultimate proving ground, where only the finest combinations of fancier skill and pigeon endurance can prevail.
To compete from Lerwick is to embrace one of the greatest tests in the sport.
The reward? Not just victory, but the honour of lifting the King George V Cup — one of the most prestigious and coveted trophies in pigeon racing. Few prizes carry such history, such weight, and such meaning.
Over the past century and a quarter, our race programme has evolved, carefully structured to guide fanciers toward that ultimate test. A series of races, across varying distances, builds both experience and ambition, culminating in the young bird classic. To emerge as the average winner across this programme is to be crowned a true Champion of the North Road — an accolade earned, never given.
The strength of the NRCC lies not only in its history but in its fairness and structure. Divided into eight sections, the club ensures that members compete on equal terms with their neighbours, regardless of distance or conditions, while still striving for open success.
Our marking and clock stations are thoughtfully positioned, and the welfare of our birds remains paramount at every stage of transit.
We are proud to be a democratic organisation; one that blends tradition with a modern, forward-thinking approach. While others may struggle, we have remained financially sound through careful management and responsible stewardship. That stability allows us to continue delivering a top-class racing experience without burdening our members.
And let’s be clear, while we may pride ourselves on efficiency, we are far from modest in what we offer.
In 2025, the first prize for our Blue Riband Lerwick race stood at £616, alongside a solid silver, handcrafted replica of the King’s Cup; a prize of real substance and prestige. With nominations, that prize fund can approach £3,000. Compare that to other major events in the sport, and I think it’s fair to say, we more than hold our own.
Our futurity race, driven by the tireless efforts of John Parker, continues to grow, pushing prize funds toward an impressive £30,000. Add to that our recent online auction, closing just shy of £8,000, and it becomes clear that the NRCC is a club not only rich in history, but vibrant and thriving in the present.
Our silverware tells its own story. From the generosity of the Osman Family of The Racing Pigeon, to the prestigious F.W. Marriott Trophy, and of course the King George V Cup itself — one of only three of its kind in the sport, shared with the Irish NFC and the NFC — our standing within pigeon racing is beyond question.
- Past Presidents
- 901 – 1905 A M Chance Birmingham
- 1905 – 1910 G Pulley – London
- 1911 – 1012 Chas Clark – Rushden
- 1913 H P Daley – Syston
- 1914 J G Moody – Leicester
- 1915 – 1918 No Racing
- 1919 – 1921 J G Moody – Leicester
- 1922 – 1924 H J Simms – Nottingham
- 1925 – 1926 M E Whitehead – Leicester
- 1927 – 1947 J S Hartridge – Leicester
- 1948 – 1967 H A Bridge – Thundersley
- 1968 – 1970 R J Aldridge – Luton
- 1971 – 1973 W Heatley Radcliffe-on-Trent
- 1974 T D Ferrar – Peterborough
- 1975 – 1993 J H Lovell – Lincoln
- 1994 – 2000 Bryon C Roberts – Kings Lynn
- 2001 – 2011 R Preston – Ipswich
- 2012 -2024 R Sturgess – Leicester 2025-2026
- 2025 – R Knight – Old Leake
The history of this club is written by great names and remarkable achievements:
Fred Marriott, founder of the British Homing World, a twice winner of the King’s Cup
King George VI himself, victorious in 1951
John Lovell, past President, who claimed the prize three times
The Perry Brothers and Bunton, famously taking 1st, 2nd and 3rd in a single race
Frank Bristow of Horbling, another double winner
Mr & Mrs Skinner of Boston 1st Open Kings Cup and just two years later 2nd Open
These are not just stories — they are standards. Benchmarks for what can be achieved.
And each year, the winner does not simply take home a title, but a beautifully crafted solid silver replica of the King’s Cup — a fitting tribute to an extraordinary accomplishment.
Yes, we have had our challenges over the years. Every great organisation does. But what defines the NRCC is resilience. We are still here. Still strong. Still delivering one of the greatest tests in pigeon racing.
This 125th year is not just about looking back — it is about stepping forward together. Every member, every loft, every bird is part of this story.
So I encourage you all: make this the year you aim for greatness.
Strive to place a pigeon on Champions Row at Spalding on 28th November. Attend the Day of Champions. Celebrate what this club stands for.
Because this is your club.
Your history -Your opportunity. And after 125 years, the North Road Championship Club remains exactly what it has always been — the ultimate passport to pigeon racing fame
Ray Knight – President