Ray Clemence was born in Skegness on 5 August 1948 and, for a goalkeeper who was to become one of the best in the English game, the early part of his career was less than spectacular. He first joined Notts County as a junior, but signed for Scunthrope … Read More
One of then most recognisable cricketers of the modern era, Robert Croft MBE played county cricket for 23 seasons, proving testament to his reputation as a hugely reliable and consistent performer for both club and country. Representing both England and Wales during his career, Croft has played in … Read More
Ronnie Irani was born in Greater Manchester with an Irani-descended dad and Lancashire mum but it is with Essex that he will always be associated. He moved from Lancashire to Essex in 1994 and had a great rapport with the Chelmsford supporters over the following thirteen years. Ronnie … Read More
Garfield St. Aubrun Sobers, was born in Bay Land, St. Michael Parish, Barbados. Undoubtedly the greatest cricket player of his era (1952 to 1974), he was knighted by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II in 1975 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to international cricket. In 1998, Barbados declared him … Read More
Born in Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire in 1941, Geoff Hurst secured his place among the World Cup greats when he became the first player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final (the feat has not been repeated since). Overlooked for the first three World Cup games despite finishing the 1965-66 season as the First Division’s leading … Read More
Sir Ian Botham was one of the greatest all-rounders ever to step foot on a cricket pitch, and he later turned his enormous energy and stamina to marathon charity walks, raising millions of pounds and earning a knighthood from the Queen. He scored 14 centuries and took 383 … Read More
Steve Kindon was born in Warrington on 17th December 1950. He attended Wade Deacon School in Widnes, and joined Burnley FC as an apprentice straight from school after the manager Harry Potts had seen him playing on a local park. Steve made his league debut just eighteen months … Read More
Will Carling famously described the Rugby Football Union Committee as ’57 old farts,’ and has lost none of that blunt and humorous approach in his after-dinner speaking routine. A daring and darting centre with Harlequins, he was the youngest ever England captain at twenty-two and steered them to … Read More
Willie John McBride is a rugby legend – the boy from Ballymena in Northern Ireland who became captain of the Ireland rugby team and captain of the British Lions for their unbeaten tour against South Africa in 1974. He has remained at the centre of rugby life ever … Read More
