MEN'S ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS - TEAM CHAMPIONS

From 1900 onwards, the ‘Adams Shield’ is the biggest and most infamous trophy in British Gymnastics. Photo shows Huddersfield Gymnastics Club, winners in 1967, with the original Adams Shield. Photo Alan Burrows.

Year1stKnown gymnastsCoached by2nd3rd
1900Dundee Gymnastics & Athletic ClubDolobran AC
1901Newport Athletic Club South WalesDundee GC
1902Dundee Gymnastics & Athletic ClubDolobran AC Birmingham
1903Leith Gymnasium EdinburghDublin
1904Leith Gymnasium EdinburghDublin
1905Halifax Gymnastics ClubJ.C. Collins, A. Lumb, E. Dyson, W. Hirst, G. Marsland, H. Cooke, I. J. Lumb, L. ChapmanW. GreenwoodLeith Gymnasium Edinburgh
1906Dolobran Ac BirminghamSamuel HodgettsCity Of Belfast YMCA
1907Dolobran Ac BirminghamSamuel HodgettsCarnegie Gymnastics Club Dunfermline
1908Carnegie Gymnastics Club DunfermlineWilliam Meiklejohn, William O. Paterson, T. Shields, William Fergus, Jas. Cooper, William WattersA. B. HughesBirmingham Athletic Institute
1909Birmingham Athletic InstituteDundee GC
1910Birmingham Athletic InstituteLeith Gymnasium Edinburgh
1911Birmingham Athletic InstituteBradford Town
1912Northampton Polytechnic Institute, LondonP Reitmann, RH Potts, EW Potts, C Simmons, A Reynolds, G MastersBirmingham City
1913Northampton Polytechnic Institute, LondonBernard W Franklin, Henry Oberholzer, E W Potts, R H Potts, P Reitmann, William ‘Bill’ KingBirmingham City
1914Birmingham CityNorthampton Polytechnic Institute, London
1915NO CONTEST DUE TO THE WAR--
1916NO CONTEST DUE TO THE WAR--
1917NO CONTEST DUE TO THE WAR--
1918NO CONTEST DUE TO THE WAR--
1919NO CONTEST DUE TO THE WAR--
1920Northampton Polytechnic Institute, LondonAG Cocksedge, T Scott, G Reynolds, S AndrewRudolf OberholzerBirmingham City
1921NO CONTEST
1922Northampton Polytechnic Institute, LondonA Reynolds, AG Cocksedge, H Brown, Bernard W FranklinRudolf OberholzerSwansea YMCA
1923Birmingham & DistrictJW Dudley, JA Walker, WC Tunstall, Henry J FinchettNorthampton Polytechnic Institute, London
1924Swansea YMCAStanley Leigh, Ernest Leigh, T Hopkins, A B SmithBirmingham City
1925Northampton Polytechnic Institute, LondonJ J Seymour, A Cocksedge, W Bolt, H BrownRudolf Oberholzer
1926Birmingham**
1927Northampton Polytechnic Institute, LondonFH Davis, S Jackson, W Bolt, H BrownRudolf OberholzerSwansea YMCABirmingham City
1928Northampton Polytechnic Institute, LondonGC Raynes, Bill Bolt, S Jackson, H BrownRudolf OberholzerSwansea YMCABirmingham City
1929Swansea YMCACB Best, HS Davies, EGA Jenkins, Arthur WhitfordWalter StandishNorthampton Polytechnic Institute, London
1930Swansea YMCAArthur Whitford, C Best, EGA Jenkins, Harold Davies Walter StandishBradford Gymnastics ClubNorthampton Polytechnic Institute, London
1931Swansea YMCAC Best, EGA Jenkins, Harold Davies, Arthur WhitfordWalter StandishBolton Lads ClubBradford Gymnastics Club
1932Swansea YMCAHarold Davies, C Best, Hugh Evans, EGA JenkinsWalter StandishBolton Lads ClubNorthampton Polytechnic Institute, London
1933Bolton Lads ClubJ Hilton, W Walsh, T Parkinson, S HumphreysE AspinallBradford Gymnastics ClubSwansea YMCA
1934Bolton Lads ClubJ Hilton, W Walsh, T Parkinson, S Humphreys E AspinallBradford Gymnastics ClubBirmingham City
1935Bradford Gymnastics ClubJ Leach, E Walton, L Martin, G WhitakerEddie HirstBirmingham CityBolton Lads Club
1936Bolton Lads ClubH Smith, T Parkinson, W Walsh, S Humphreys Northampton Polytechnic Institute, LondonBradford Gymnastics Club
1937NO RECORD
1938Northampton Polytechnic Institute, London
1939Northampton Polytechnic Institute, LondonAlec Wales, A Bach, E Hulme, J Knight Farnworth & District Physical Culture Club BoltonWoodhouse Sch of Physical Culture
1940NO CONTEST DUE TO THE WAR--
1941NO CONTEST DUE TO THE WAR--
1942NO CONTEST DUE TO THE WAR--
1943NO CONTEST DUE TO THE WAR--
1944NO CONTEST DUE TO THE WAR--
1945NO CONTEST DUE TO THE WAR--
1947Swansea YMCAFrank Edmonds, Ivor Vice, Percy May, Arthur Whitford, Res Glyn Hopkins London GC
1948Swansea YMCAFrank Edmonds, Alec Wales, Jack Whitford, Percy May, Ivor Vice. Walter Walsh
1949London*
1950LondonGeorge Weedon, E Baker, Frank Turner, G White, Vic Element (reserve)
1951London GCFrank Turner, George Weedon, E Baker, and G WhiteBob Smale
1952London GCFrank Turner, George Weedon, E Baker, Vic Element, Reg Gentle (reserve)Norwich Priory GCSwansea Boys Club
1953Swansea YMCAIvor Vice, Grahame Harcourt, Percy May, Colin BeynonArthur WhitfordOrion GC LondonLondon GC
1954Swansea YMCAColin Beynon, Percy May, Ivor Vice, Grahame HarcourtWalter Walsh
1955Army Gymnastics Union, AldershotNik Stuart, Tom Slaven, Dick Gradley, Jack Scrivener, Gerry Moon (reserve) Tommy Slaven
1956Army Gymnastics Union, AldershotNik Stuart, Tom Slaven, Dick Gradley, Jack Scrivener, Terry Norris Tommy Slaven
1957Army Gymnastics Union, AldershotNik Stuart, Tom Slaven, Dick Gradley, Jack Scrivener, Jack Pancott, Rod Coveney Tommy Slaven
1958Army Gymnastics Union, AldershotNik Stuart, Tom Slaven, Dick Gradley, Jack Scrivener, Jack Pancott Tommy SlavenCardiff Central Boys ClubBirmingham Athletic Institute
1959NO CONTEST
1960Birmingham Athletic InstituteGeorge Kunzle, Gordon Yates, Graham Davies, John Bowen, Renee StaufferBernard ThomasArmy Gymnastics Union, AldershotCardiff Central Boys Club
1961Army Gymnastics Union, AldershotNik Stuart,Bert Dooley, Bob Trenholm, Jack Scrivener, Micky Munn Nik StuartCentral YMCA GCBirmingham Athletic Institute
1962Army Gymnastics Union, AldershotBob Trenholm, Jack Pancott, Bert Dooley, Jim Wilson, Wilf Pollard Nik Stuart
1963Army Gymnastics Union, AldershotBob Trenholm, Bert Dooley, Nik Stuart, Rod Coveney, Jack ScrivenerNik StuartBirmingham Athletic InstituteCardiff Central Boys Club
1964Army Gymnastics Union, AldershotBob Trenholm, Bert Dooley, Jack Scrivener, Jimmy Wilson, Jack Pancott Wilf PollardHuddersfield GCBirmingham Athletic Institute
1965Army Gymnastics Union, AldershotDick Gradley, Bob Trenholm, Bert Dooley, Jack Pancott, Bill Cosgrave PT School's gym instructorHuddersfield GCBirmingham Athletic Institute Floor Ex was held outside at Slough College
1966Yorkshire ( A County Team)Dick Gradley, Bernie Cawthorne, Mike Booth, Brian Metcalfe
1967Huddersfield Gymnastics ClubTony Birkhead, Harry Hayhurst, Brian Hayhurst, Bill McLoughlin, Mike Booth Stan BoothArmy Gymnastics Union, AldershotBirmingham Athletic Institute
1968Army Gymnastics Union, AldershotBob Trenholm, Micky Munn, Jimmy Wilson PT School's gym instructorBirmingham Athletic InstituteBillingham Gymnastics Club
1969Army Gymnastics Union, AldershotMicky Munn, Jimmy Wilson, Billy Norgrove, Bob Trenholm, Grahame Rushforth PT School's gym instructorHuddersfield Gymnastics ClubBirmingham Athletic Institute
1970Army Gymnastics Union, AldershotBilly Norgrove, Grahame Rushforth, Bert Dooley, Jim Purvis, Dickie Dart PT School's gym instructor
1971Leeds Athletic InstituteEddie Arnold, Stan Wild, Morgan Smith, John White, - Harrison Dick GradleyCamden TurnersArmy Gymnastics Union
1972Leeds Athletic InstituteEddie Arnold, Stan Wild, Morgan Smith, Jim Brogan, - Huffingley Dick GradleyHuddersfield Gymnastics ClubCamden Turners
1973Camden TurnersTommy Wilson, Jeff Davis, Tony Phillips, Ian Norfield, Steve Morgan Evan TuckArmy Gymnastics UnionDarlington Gymnastics Club
1974Army Gymnastics UnionJimmy Wilson, Jim Purvis, Billy Norgrove, Alan McLean, Les Donkin PT School's gym instructorDarlington Gymnastics ClubLondon A
1975Hendon Gymnastics ClubTheo Charalambous, Ian Norfield, Tommy Wilson, Steve Morgan, Tony Phillips Evan Tuck
1976Darlington Gymnastics ClubLloyd Readhead, Dougie Bertlesen, Peter Collins Hendon Gymnastics ClubArmy Gymnastics Union
1977Leeds Athletic InstituteJim Brogan, Stan Wild, Tony Harrison, Morgan Smith, John White, Eddie ArnoldDick GradleyHendon Gymnastics ClubDarlington Gymnastics Club
1978Hendon Gymnastics ClubTommy Wilson, T Marshall, Ian NorfieldEvan TuckLeeds Athletic InstituteAmber Valley Gymnastics Club
1979Hendon Gymnastics ClubT Marshall, Ian Norfield, Barry Winch, Eddie Van HoofLeeds Athletic InstituteHendon Gymnastics Club A
1980Hendon Gymnastics ClubAndy Rich, Martin Davies, Tommy Wilson, Martin Ling, Eddie Arnold.Billy Wills Not found
1981Hendon Gymnastics ClubMartin Ling, Tommy Wilson, Vince Walduck, Eddie Van Hoof, Eddie ArnoldBilly Wills Bush Harlow Gymnastic ClubSwansea YMCA
1982Bush Harlow Gymnastics ClubIan Dobson, Barry Winch, Jeff Davis, Dave Pumfret, Tony GriffithsMitch FennerHendon Gymnastics Club ASouthampton Amateur Gymnastics Club
1983Bush Harlow Gymnastics ClubMitch FennerNot found
1984Bush Harlow Gymnastics ClubMitch FennerNot found
1985Bush Harlow Gymnastics ClubRichard Ellis, Ian Dobson, David Diggle, Gary Hart, Barry WinchMitch FennerHendon Gymnastics ClubEston Gymnastics Club
1986Bush Harlow Gymnastics ClubMitch FennerSwansea YMCALiverpool Gymnastics Club
1987Bush Harlow Gymnastics ClubGary Hart, Neil Fletcher, Mat Smith, David Diggle, Ian DobsonMitch FennerCulverhay Gymnastics Club BathHendon Gymnastics Club
1988Bush Harlow Gymnastics ClubIan Dobson, Lee Harris, Richard Ellis, Neil Fletcher, Gary HartMitch FennerHendon Gymnastics ClubCentral Manchester Institute of Gymnastics
1989Liverpool Gymnastics ClubDavid Cox, Carl Rainbird, Jason Wink, Neil Thomas, David GriffithsStoyan Deltchev, Paul MackenzieBush Harlow Gymnastics ClubCentral Manchester Institute of Gymnastics
1990Liverpool Gymnastics ClubCarl Rainbird, Jason Bannister, David Cox, David Griffiths, Neil Thomas, Stephen KelsallMa ShiBush Harlow Gymnastics ClubHendon Gymnastics Club
1991Liverpool Gymnastics ClubJason Bannister, David Cox, Jason Wink, Stephen Kelsall, David Carr, Carl RainbirdMa ShiNorth Staffs Gymnastics Club BurslemHendon Gymnastics Club
1992Liverpool Gymnastics ClubDavid Cox, Carl Rainbird, Jason Bannister, Stephen Kelsall, David Carr Ma ShiNorth StaffsCentral Manchester
1993Central Manchester Gymnastics ClubJohn Rennie, Paul Bowler, Marvin Campbell, Craig Heap, Andrew Atherton, Kevin Atherton
Colin LeighNot found
1994Liverpool Gymnastics ClubNeil Thomas, Andrew Minshall, Colin Close, Stephen Kelsall, David Cox, Jason BannisterMa ShiCentral Manchester Gymnastics ClubNorth Staffs Gymnastics Club Burslem
1995Liverpool Gymnastics ClubNeil Thomas, Marvin Campbell, Colin Close, Mark Lister, Jonathon Rutland, Darrell Allcock-BlakeboroughMa ShiNotts Sch of GymnasticsCity of Leeds Gymnastics Club
1996Liverpool Gymnastics ClubMarvin Campbell, Shane Lyons, Jonathon Rutland, Mark Lister Ma ShiCentral Manchester Gymnastics ClubNotts Sch of Gymnastics
1997Woking Gymnastics ClubLee McDermott, Klemen Bedenik, Ross Brewer, Julian Niven Reed, Michael Taylor, Mark Freeman Simon Moore, George PredescuPark Wrekin Gymnastics ClubCentral Manchester Gymnastics Club
1998Woking Gymnastics ClubMichael Taylor, Ross Brewer, Julian Niven-Reed, Chris Gibson, Klemen Bedenik, Simon ElliotSimon MooreCentral Manchester Gymnastics ClubHuntingdon Gymnastics Club
1999Central Manchester Gymnastics ClubJohn Smethurst, Chris Hanson, Lee Moulton, Abid Munir, Gareth Hazelby Colin LeighHinckley Gymnastics ClubCity of Stoke Gymnastics Club Burslem
2000Hinckley Gymnastics ClubBarry Collie, Craig Barry, Jamie Barlow, Tom Sturman, James Boyes, David EatonAlexander Shiryaev, Trevor LowCentral Manchester Institute of GymnasticsCity of Stoke Gymnastics Club Burslem
2001Hinckley Gymnastics ClubEvgenyi Gryshchenko, Barry Collie, Craig Barry, Jamie Barlow, Jon Mutch, Ruslan PantelemonovAlexander Shiryaev, Trevor LowHuntingdon Gymnastics ClubFromeside Gymnastics Club Bristol
2002Hinckley Gymnastics ClubRuslan Pantelemonov, Evgenyi Gryshchenko, Barry Collie, Jon Mutch, Craig PelloweAlexander Shiryaev, Trevor LowHuntingdon Gymnastics ClubCentral Manchester Institute of Gymnastics
2003Hinckley Gymnastics ClubMitchell Edwards, Ruslan Pantelemonov, Evgenyi Gryshchenko, Ivan Bulyha, James Boyes, Charlie HeyesAlexander Shiryaev, Trevor LowHuntingdon Gymnastics ClubSouth Essex Gymnastics Club Basildon
2004Sutton Gymnastics Club, LondonRoss Brewer, Kirk Zammit, James McGranaghan, Ben BrownSimon MooreNot found
2005Sutton Gymnastics Club, LondonRoss Brewer, Kirk Zammit, James McGranaghan, Ben BrownSimon MooreHinckley Gymnastics ClubHuntingdon Gymnastics Club
2006Huntingdon Olympic Gymnastics ClubLouis Smith, Adam Folwell, Robert Payne, Richard Martin, Luke Folwell, Ahmahd ThomasPaul HallLeeds Gymnastics ClubHinckley Gymnastics Club
2007Huntingdon Olympic Gymnastics ClubLouis Smith, Luke Folwell, Ahmahd Thomas, Cameron MacKenzie Paul HallEarls GC, West MidandsNotts Gymnastics Academy
2008Huntingdon Olympic Gymnastics ClubLouis Smith, Luke Folwell, Ahmahd Thomas, Cameron MacKenzie, Dan Keatings Paul HallHinckley Gymnastics ClubLeeds Gymnastics Club
2009Huntingdon Olympic Gymnastics ClubLouis Smith, Luke Folwell, Ahmahd Thomas, Dan Keatings, Alex Hodges Paul HallSouth Essex Gymnastics Club, BasildonLeeds Gymnastics Club
2010South Essex Gymnastics Club, BasildonReiss Beckford, Max Whitlock, Anthony Hughes, David Mott, Robert Neff Scott HannHuntingdon Olympic Gymnastics ClubLeeds Gymnastics Club
2011South Essex Gymnastics Club, BasildonReiss Beckford, Max Whitlock, Anthony Hughes, David Mott, Robert Neff Scott Hann
2012South Essex Gymnastics Club, BasildonMax Whitlock, Reiss Beckford, Brinn Bevan, Anthony Hughes, Anthony Wise Scott Hann
2013South Essex Gymnastics Club, BasildonReiss Beckford, Max Whitlock, Jay Thompson, Anthony Wise Scott Hann
2014South Essex Gymnastics Club, BasildonDave Massam, Max Whitlock, Reiss Beckford, Anthony Wise, Brinn Bevan Scott Hann
2015City Of Birmingham Gymnastics ClubHamish Carter, Dominick Cunningham, Joe Fraser, Joshua NathanLee Woolls, Luke FolwellLoughborough Students Gymnastics ClubTolworth Gymnastcs Club
2016Leeds Gymnastics ClubAshley Watson, Nile Wilson, Loukas Jones, Tom Bourke, Harry O'NeillDave Murray, Tom RawlinsonCity Of Birmingham Gymnastics ClubLoughborough Students Gymnastics Club
2017Notts Gymnastics AcademyRaekwon Baptiste, Pavel Karnejenko, Mathew Boardman Adam Folwell, Sergey SizhanovFalcons Gymnastics Academy BarnstapleWoking Gymnastics Club
2018South Essex Gymnastics Club, BasildonMax Whitlock, Reiss Beckford, Jay Thompson, Tommy Nicolaou and Hayden SkinnerScott HannCity Of Birmingham Gymnastics ClubPegasus Gymnastics Club Maidstone
2019City Of Birmingham Gymnastics ClubDominick Cunningham, Joe Fraser, Joshua Nathan, Donell Osbourne, Korben FellowsLee Woolls, Luke FolwellSouth Essex Gymnastics Club, BasildonPegasus Gymnastics Club Maidstone
2020No Contest Due To Covid Pandemic
2021City Of Birmingham Gymnastics ClubJoshua Nathan, Dominick Cunningham, Joe Cemlyn-Jones, Winston PowellLee Woolls, Luke FolwellSouth Essex Gymnastics Club, BasildonNotts Gymnastics Academy
2022City Of Birmingham Gymnastics ClubJoe Cemlyn-Jones, Winston Powell, Joe Fraser, Dominick Cunningham, Korben FellowsLee Woolls, Luke FolwellSouth Essex Gymnastics Club, BasildonPegasus Gymnastics Club Maidstone
2023City Of Birmingham Gymnastics ClubJoshua Nathan, Remell Robinson-Bailey, Winston Powell, Raekwon Baptiste, Joe Cemlyn-JonesLee Woolls, Luke FolwellLeeds Gymnastics ClubPegasus Gymnastics Club Maidstone
2024Notts Gymnastics AcademyHamish Carter, Liam Jury, Luke Marsh, Sam Mostowfi, Alexander Yolshin-CashJosh ChampionCity Of Birmingham Gymnastics ClubLeeds Gymnastics Club
2025Leeds Gymnastics ClubMichael Goddard, Harry Hepworth, Jonas Rushworth, Jack Stanley, Luke WhitehouseAndy Butcher, Dave Murray, Tom Rawlinson South Essex Gymnastics Club, BasildonNotts Gymnastics Academy
2026Leeds Gymnastics ClubHarry Hepworth, Jonas Rushworth, Jack Stanley, Luke Whitehouse, Elliott VernonAndy Butcher, Dave Murray, Tom RawlinsonSouth Essex Gymnastics Club, BasildonLeeds Gymnastics Club Team B

MOST SUCCESSFUL CLUBS AT THE BRITISH MEN’S TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

Army Gymnastics Union

Northampton Polytechnic Institute

Swansea YMCA

Liverpool GC & with Bush Harlow GC

Leeds Gymnastics Club^ & South Essex GC, Basildon

Gallery of British Gymnastics Men’s Team Champions

A photographic history of the Adams Shield

The Adams Shield was donated by Birmingham’s Councillor Adams in 1899 to the competition for the best team in the country in 1899. Over it’s over 100 years, the tropy been through many iterations as each team has won it and returned it sometimes with damage and parts missing, and in 1977, losing it altogether, meaning a whole new tropy had to be made.

Read more

A photographic history of Adams Shield prints

Click photos to view full size

TEAM CHAMPIONS NOTES
Variations in names are recorded as per the official minutes of technical meetings.
*The 1949 contest was cancelled due to the withdrawal of the Swansea team. Agreed that the London team be declared winners and the trophy and medals to be awarded.
**Minutes state that Birmingham was the only club entered, so they were entitled to the shield & certificates (executive minutes 28/7/26).
^ Leeds Athletic Institute and Leeds Gymnastics Club are the same 

The content on this site is curated by Meg Warren, with assistance from Warren Slingsby and a small but dedicated team of contributors. We are building a comprehensive history of gymnastics in Britain and are always interested in learning more and gathering more historical content, so if you can contribute to this page or any others, please get in touch with the links below. Read about the contributors.

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