Instructors

Eric Krappinger    |    Ken Harrison    |    Michael Alford    |    Yvette Holyoake    |    John Grantham

Michael Alford 4th Dan

Mike began his Karate training at Lenwood Karate Club, Plaistow in 1985 with Bob Strong & Chris Price 1st Dan as his Instructors.Lenwood were affiliated to the BWKS with Chief Instructor Yoshi Shinohara.

He passed quickly through his Kyu Gradings and passed his 1st Dan in 1988.

Graded 2nd Dan 1991BWKS

            3rd Dan 1994 BWKS

            4th Dan 1999 ELWK/NAKMAS

Mike was successful in Karate Competitions (mostly Kumite though he won some Kata events). He won the BWKS National Championships in Individual Kumite in 1993, 1994, r/u in 1995, 3rd place in 1996. Also 1st place in Individual Senior Kata in 1990.

He fought in the BWKS Kumite squad for many years & also Captained the side from 1993 - 1996. Gregg Francis was brought in to train & prepare the squad on many occassions for their Competition fighting events.

Mike was also chosen to appear in a Childrens Karate Instuctional Video with former Power Ranger - Austin St. John, as a 'baddie' in the good/bad guy action scenes.

He fought in 4 Irish National Championships in Eire over the years, these events were fought with much pride & respect was shown to all Teams, these were not for the faint-hearted! After the competition at the end of the day a few pints & stories would be exchanged in the Bar.

At one of these Competitions in 1995 in Dublin, INWKF Chief Instructor Fran Nangle hired Mike along with other Dan Grades to do Security work for Take That & Lulu.They had to escort the Stars cars safely through their awaiting (hundrerds) fans, from the Hotel to the Dublin Point where they were performing.

In 1995 Mike was asked to audition for Michael Barrymore's new show, where amateur acts would perform at Malls throughout the Country. He took along Ken Harrison with him - to Southend Pavillion, they booked in at 8.00 a.m.& were called some 12 hours later, they performed basic's, Kata's, sparred & broke roof tiles - all in 3 minutes! ( a blistering pace). they passed the audition, but were later on Children were used instead for family viewing.