War veteran, 90,'¨is leading the way

Meet the great grandad who's running rings around people almost half his age.
90-year-old Jack McIlroy celebrates his birthday playing badminton with fellow members of the All Hallows Church Tueday Afternoon Badminton Club90-year-old Jack McIlroy celebrates his birthday playing badminton with fellow members of the All Hallows Church Tueday Afternoon Badminton Club
90-year-old Jack McIlroy celebrates his birthday playing badminton with fellow members of the All Hallows Church Tueday Afternoon Badminton Club

Retired army captain Jack McElroy goes swimming three times a week, walks four to six miles each day, and is a valued member of his local badminton club at Bispham Parish Church - all at the ripe old age of 90.

The spritely pensioner celebrated his milestone birthday at the club this week.

He said: “I delight in winning against younger people!”

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Great-grandad-of-three Jack, who lives in Cleveleys, joined the badminton club after retiring to the Fylde coast with his wife Veronica in 1987.

He previously fought in the Second World war, joining the army in 1944 and going onto serve in Austria, Germany, Palestine, Egypt and Gibraltar during his 30-year career.

He said: “I got into badminton during my army days.

“I can’t stand being sat in the house all the time. You must get out and do something.

“I’m still able to join in and make the most of it.

“I had a bad couple of months with my legs - I could hardly walk - but I go swimming three times a week at the Norbreck Castle Hotel.

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“I joined the badminton club more than 20 years ago and I’m the oldest member there by far. I’ll keep going for as long as I can.

“I’ll be there until they tire me out.”

Lynne Bramhall, organiser of the badminton club which meets every Tuesday afternoon, said: “I think all of us would agree that we’re all getting on a bit in years, but every time we feel like we’re getting too old for it we look at Jack.

“He’s such a nice man and he’s never a bad sport.

“He’s always there first and he sets everything up for everybody else when he comes.

“He suffers badly with leg pain but you can guarantee if he can get up and walk he’ll be here.

“We’re all very fond of him and we’d like him to come into his 100s.”