Glynn overwhelmed by fundraiser response

Over 1,000 people packed into the nightclub to witness a Battle in Batley boxing show, which saw amateur rugby league players competing against each other.

Twenty-five-year-old Ryan broke his neck while playing for Shaw Cross Sharks in March and spent around eight weeks in hospital, during which time he underwent two operations at a specialist unit in Sheffield.

Ryan continues to improve each week but the Shaw Cross club has arranged a number of fundraising events to help aid is recovery, with last Sunday’s boxing the biggest yet.

Ryan admitted he was proud of everyone who had taken part in the event and passed on his gratitude to all the boxers and organisers.

The former Dewsbury Rams player said: “It’s been absolutely awesome.

“When you look around this is what rugby league is all about.

“I enjoyed every single fight and even the guys who lost put their bodies on the line.

“You have to remember they are rugby players not boxers but everyone put a lot of work into it and I’m proud of all of them.

“Mick Turner put a lot into arranging this but there are a lot of people to thank, my dad (Mick), Matty Oldroyd and Clive Hannon and everybody else who made it happen.”

Rising St Helens star Alex Walmsley and Castleford Tigers’ Lee Gilmour were among the crowd, which included many former and current rugby league players from the area.

Sky Sports presenter Mike Stephenson, who is also president of the Shaw Cross club, addressed the crowd from the ring, saying: “I have to congratulate all concerned in putting on this event for such a wonderful cause. From the organisers, the boxers and medics and everyone here at the Batley Variety Club who has bought a ticket, it has been a wonderful afternoon.”

Dewsbury’s former IBO light middleweight world champion Steve Conway and unbeaten professional Tony Aitcheson acted as judges, while Mickey Vann, who has refereed over 170 world title fights, officiated some of the bouts, which included players from Shaw Cross, Dewsbury Celtic, Thornhill Trojans, Dewsbury Moor, Batley Boys, Hanging Heaton, Birstall Victoria, Ossett Trinity, Eastmoor and Milford.

News of Ryan’s injury had touched people all over the world and former Dewsbury Moor junior Sam Burgess sent a South Sydney Rabbitohs shirt as part of a huge auction to boost funds.