David Voyle stands as a cornerstone of Lancaster & Morecambe AC's rich history, embodying the spirit and dedication that defines the club. With a legacy built on remarkable athletic achievements, commitment, friendship, kindness and humour.

Voyley not only excelled in his sporting endeavours but has also inspired countless members through his mentorship and support. His contributions have left an indelible mark on the club, making him a deserving inductee into the Hall of Fame. As we celebrate his accomplishments, we honour a true gent of our community, whose impact resonates far beyond the track and field. 

Voyley was born in Belfast in 1940 to an Irish mother and a Welsh father. His family moved to the valleys in 1942, where he attended junior school. David had a strong passion for sports and was known for his cheeky sense of humour and running initially for Rhondda Valley AC winning junior titles on the track over 1500m.

The photos with this do not fully capture the significance of the moment, but one noteworthy detail we discovered is that in 1958, Voyley was selected to represent the Queen's message route from Talbot Green to Pontypridd for the Empire Games. Little things lots of people were not aware about this great man.

He began working in the mines and with the coal board at 15 and continued until he was 21, during which time he remained physically very fit. At 21, Dave qualified as an electrician, marking the beginning of his UK roadshow.

Relocating to Newport, Dave worked at the power station and became a valued and competitive member of the Newport Harriers. From there, he continued to advance in his career, moving to Bristol and later to Southampton. According to his wife, Elaine, he was successful in obtaining every job he applied for, which highlights the high regard in which he was held by everyone on and off the track.

Voyley and his family relocated to the Lancaster area in the mid-1970s. However, it wasn't until the 1980s that LMAC (Lancaster and Morecambe Athletic Club) had the fortune of having him as a member. Dave was a planner and somehow managed to combine his work life, running commitments and also raising a family with Elaine which was made up of 3 children but he did it with his usual enthusiasm and commitment.

Demonstrating remarkable versatility as an athlete, Dave competed in events ranging from the 800m to the marathon. He approached each race with unwavering commitment, effort, and dedication. Voyley was a prolific racer, participating in cross-country events for their strength-building benefits, road races, and various other competitions. However, his true passion always lay with track events.

One of his proudest achievements was breaking the 2-minute barrier in the 800m. While he often joked about it…’only once’ was often the call after telling you, he was still incredibly proud of this accomplishment. 

Dave trained with the prolific group headed by Geoff Taylorand he believed that anyone could go to Geoff and they would become an incredible 800m runner. There was a funny moment one training night in which Geoff’s group including junior athlete Mark Gardner who had just joined the squad. Mark recalled  “The club was using both the college and the newly built Salt Ayre Track and Geoff gave us a lift back to the college one night with about 6 of the group in the back of the van. However, Geoff went into autopilot and went home with us all falling around in the back, Dave joked and said at least we might get our tea for free!”. He always saw the funny side and could make people feel at ease.

Dave was always eager to take on a challenge and was consistently one of the first names on the team sheet for relay events, whether on the road or cross-country. You could count on him to give his all whenever he lined up for the team. There was an occasion on a hot day in Southport in which the relay saw legs going up and down the promenade. People were scattering as Dave came charging down the finish like a fiery Welsh Dragon who was not to be messed with!

Dave wasn't just a great runner; he excelled in standout races, earning titles as a masters athlete and being selected to compete for his beloved Welsh team was potentially his proudest moment. 

Voyely ran three marathons in total recording but his finest performance came with a time for a 50-year-old with 2hrs 43mins. As we said earlier, Dave had some range!

Stephen Perry recalled some incredible memories of Voyley with the first being the story of the Hi-Tec Silver Shadows. Dave never gave up on his Silver Shadows and rather than throw them away he would have them regularly reheeled to get every inch of life out of them! But that was Dave, never giving up on something. 

He also recalled a time when there was a wedding evening reception in which Dave attended and instead of buying a round of drinks, he got everyone a round of crisps and told them to focus on their training! Classic Voyley!

Sadly, there came a time when Dave began to feel the effects of his running career and started spending more time on the other side of the stopwatch. Supported by his long-time friend and fellow club member Colin Gemson, Dave dedicated himself to supporting, guiding, and nurturing the next generation of young athletes. He was a selfless volunteer who regularly gave up his time to help others.

Dave also served as a coach for the University Athletics team, contributing not only during club nights to assist LMAC athletes but also going the extra mile to support everyone, often behind the scenes. He didn’t seek the limelight or make a fuss; he simply did his part to improve the lives of athletes.

As a respected official, timekeeper, and marshal, Dave thrived on the excitement of track and field events and was a regular for many years at a variety of meetings supporting the club, its athletes and scoring valuable points. 

He was a familiar face at club-organized events, including his own marshalling spot at the Festive 4km, where he cheered on the back markers as they made their way to the finish line. He was also a regular at the Power of 5km, where he served as a timekeeper and supported every single participant he encountered.

Outside of athletics, Dave was an avid fan of Welsh choirs and delighted in listening to their passionate performances. His love for his homeland extended to his enthusiasm for Welsh Rugby, and he always enjoyed engaging in friendly banter about matches against England.

Always active, Dave often chose to explore the stunning views across Morecambe Bay on his bike rather than just running the promenade but little known to many Dave was also a big fan of Westerns! 

The club may never see someone like him again—a true competitor, a friend to all, and someone with a kind yet cheeky sense of humour. We all miss you, Dave, and we’re grateful for the impact you made on our lives and our club.