Sensei Fail began his training in 1997 at Cramlington Shotokan Karate Club, under the instruction of Sensei Stuart Davison & Sensei John Ledger, he obtained his Shodan (1st dan) in 2002. He then left Cramlington and began training at Ashington Shotokan Karate Club (now Northumberland Karate Academy) under the instruction of Sensei Ian Willis and Sensei Keith Burns. Ashington Shotokan Karate Club (now 'Northumberland Karate Academy') is renowned for producing many champions of all ages in kumite, kata and team events at regional, national and world class level. The standard of training is exceptionally high and it was through the excellent tuition of Sensei Willis and Burns that Sensei Fail was selected for the England squad in 2004 & 2005 and obtained his Nidan (2nd Dan) in 2006.
