The Alma Amateur Boxing Club was founded in 1974, following closure of the boxing section of the Five Star Youth Club in Harold Hill. The closure, it transpired was temporary but founders Roy Quince, Lenny Wilson and Dave Maxwell had by then found training premises and gained the support of local businessman Dick Speight. The name of Speight was well known in the area as the families chain of bakeries, a restaurant in central Romford and the Alma Arms pub on Navestockside nr Brentwood formed part of Dicks business empire. In appreciation of a donation of £500 towards equipment, a considerable sum in the 1970's, the new kids on the block adopted the Alma name, a fitting tribute to the first battle of the Crimean war of the mid 1800's for Haverings first new club for many years. From humble beginnings the Alma ABC set about establishing itself and following a brief period of turbulence when it seemed the training quarters would change every month, the Harold Wood Neighbourhood Centre in Gubbins Lane, Harold Wood that became their home in 1975 continues to be so.