Prior, Alfred Hall - The Running Reverend

The only known picture of Alfred Hall Prior, here with his undergraduate chums at St. John's College, Cambridge, in 1878. The man who was to become the 'founding father' of Derby Athletics Club is sitting at the front on the extreme right

The Reverend Canon ALFRED HALL PRIOR was born at Clapham, Surrey, in 1858, and baptised on 25 March of that year. On 12 October 1876 he was admitted to St. John's College, Cambridge, and graduated with a BA in 1880 and an MA in 1883. He was ordained Deacon in 1881 and Priest in 1882.

Whilst at Cambridge he had enjoyed sporting pursuits, particularly running, and this came to have a bearing on the history of sport in Derby.

His first clerical appointment was as curate of St. John's - in the 'West End' of Derby off Ashbourne Road - and he remained in that post from 1883-86. As an advocate of the doctrine known as 'Muscular Christianity', Reverend Prior was keen to supplement religious study with vigorous exercise. To that end he introduced running to the St. John's men's bible class.

They took to it with great enthusiasm, and in 1887, soon after Reverend Prior had begun ministering to another flock, a formal club was instituted.

It initially took the name St. John's Harriers, but in time became known as the Derby and County Athletic and Cycling Club, which has since been shortened to the Derby Athletic Club.

Canon Alfred Hall Prior may therefore be regarded as the original founding father of Derby Athletic Club, which since its inception has produced both international athletes and Olympic Games participants, as well as winning a number of national club championship events.

Most of Canon Prior's appointments after St. John's were in Derbyshire:

Vicar of St. Barnabas, Derby, 1886-94:

Vicar of St. Andrew's, Derby, 1895-1901:

Vicar of Horsley, Derbyshire, 1901-03:

Vicar of St. Peter's, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, 1903-10:

Rector of Morton, Derbyshire, 1910-23:

He was also a Rural Dean several times, and a Prebendary of Southwell 1900-28. He was married on 6 April 1893 to Georgina Forster, youngest daughter of George Baker Forster of Corbridge-on Tyne.

Canon Prior died aged 79 on 12 April 1937 at Watergates, Blackbrook, near Belper, and was buried at Morton, Derbyshire. To him is owed a debt of gratitude by Derby Athletics Club for getting the sporting folk of Derby 'up and running' over a century ago.

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