Dan Crowley

At the age of 19, Dan Crowley attracted a lot of attention when he won a 220 yards handicap race at a Polytechnic Harriers meeting at Stamford Bridge. That early promise nearly materialised when he finished second to the defending champion J. R. Major in the 100 yards at that year’s Surrey Championships. Crowley, however, was Surrey champion at both 100 and 220 in 1923. He retained both titles the following year, when he also finished second in the Southern Counties 100.

When the initial squad for the 1924 Paris Olympics was announced, Crowley was a probable for the two sprint events. When the final selections were made, however, he missed out on the individual races but was selected, albeit as a reserve, for the 4 x 100 metres relay. Being English-born of Irish parents, Crowley represented England in the inaugural modern Tailteann Games in 1924, just a few weeks after the Paris Olympics. Like many sprinters, Crowley was an excellent rugby wing three-quarter, and played for London Irish.