Phil Matthews shoots pool with “Wardy”
SOLARIO RACING’S furthest travelling owners, Edinburgh’s Phil Matthews, Ian Anderson and Gary Headspeath (Chiltern Secret) made the annual pilgrimage to London for the Eclipse Sports Promotions Legends’ Christmas Lunch and as ever, they didn’t let the side down!
I have known the “Scottish boys” for some 13 years and they have been very enthusiastic supporters throughout this time, despite my tips!
We always go to the Eclipse Sports Promotions festive “do” at Balls Brothers in the City when guests mingle with great sporting heroes from the past and play parlour games during the course of a very convivial three course lunch during which the drink flows, old aquaintances are reunited and new friends made.
Ex-West Ham and England centre half Alvin Martin hosted events as usual in his inimitable Scouse humour style. What I always enjoy about Alvin is that I know he’s not going to pick on me as he’s even more follically challenged than yours truly!
This year’s sporting legends included former Chelsea and England striker, Kerry Dixon, Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour, West Ham defender/midfielder, Billy Bonds and from the world of cricket, England batsman and Strictly Come Dancing winner, Mark Ramprakash.
On the Scottish table was Mark Ward, ex-Everton, Man City and West Ham midfielder whose Liverpool humour struck a real chord with the boys from Edinburgh. Not only that but “Wardy” teamed up well with owner Phil Matthews for the shoot pool round which left our table (8) in third place.
Sadly, Table 8 wasn’t quite as good at the darts, so we fell away somewhat and in the end Mark Ramprakash and his table cohorts finished at the top of the leader board.
Nevertheless, some 130 guests had a great time and the Scottish boys after a few more drinks, made their way back to Edinburgh, via London’s City Airport. It was a great afternoon with so many sporting legends on show. However, spare a serious thought for Nathan who was on Table 8. A former member of the British Navy he was forced to retire from active service after sustaining serious head injuries on the front line in Afghanistan.
Now that’s a real legend!
