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Ivan Marks, the People's Champion, wins again

The late Ivan Marks, whose passion for angling lasted over 50 years, has been voted the peoples’ choice for the Greatest Angler.

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The Likely Lad from Leicester was a true inspiration to me growing up and Ivan is a thoroughly deserved winner of this award
John Ellis, National Fisheries & Angling Manager

Our online poll set out to find out the greatest angler of all time – well, the greatest angler of all time who learned to fish on a canal.

Ivan attracted almost 32% of the vote, ahead of the great Lancastrian Kevin Ashurst who polled 21%, and Billy Lane, England's first world champion, who finished in third spot with 10% of the vote.

John Ellis, the Canal & River Trust's national fisheries & angling manager, comments:

"“Having won numerous local, regional and national championships, Ivan played a key part in changing the face of match fishing, including embracing new tackle innovations, styles and techniques that were to take both him and his team to greatness. The Likely Lad from Leicester was a true inspiration to me growing up and Ivan is a thoroughly deserved winner of this award."

Linda Marks, Ivan's widow, added: “My son Chris and I are extremely moved and happy at hearing the result. Thanks to everyone for taking the time to vote.”

Around 400 votes were cast in total with over 10,000 unique visits to the competition's web pages.

John Ellis continues: “There were several suggestions of names of great anglers who in people's opinion should have made the list. Winning that category was Billy Makin who just pipped Mark Pollard with Bob Nudd, Dave Berrow and Dickie Carr all collecting ten or more votes.

“I'd like to thank everyone who casted a vote, but most of all, thanks to all of our great canal anglers.”

The Greatest Angler results

And those we missed...

Last Edited: 05 December 2014

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