THAT’S DEDICATION
Two Brighton members show their commitment to the EBA cause
I’VE spoken before about the importance of EBAS and their members supporting other EBAS, but Brighton members Rob Benson and Jimmy Butler went far above the call of duty in their efforts to attend Croydon’s February meeting at The Orchard.
They arrived as the meeting was about to end, explaining there had been problems with the trains. “We left Brighton at 9.15am, then had to get out at Three Bridges because of engineering works on the line,” Rob said. “They laid on a bus to Redhill, so we got that, and then there was a delay on the train from Redhill because a smoke alarm went off!”
But they made it, and everyone at Croydon was delighted they did. They missed the formal part of the meeting, but were able to buy raffle tickets, and happily each won a prize. The raffle incidentally raised £115 – a fine result.
We also welcomed two newcomers, both former amateurs. Joe Reid boxed for Kingston ABC, winning 19 out of 23. “I never went pro,” he said. “I was married with a family, and had a good job as an ambulance driver. It wasn’t really on.”
A January newcomer, Ian Martin, brought his son, Lewis, who boxed for the South Norwood & Victory ABC for about three years. Both Joe and Lewis were made very welcome, and both said they’d come again.
It was announced that Brighton President Ernie Price had recently had a lung removed, and subsequently been given the all-clear. Ernie does a lot for Brighton, and the EBA movement generally, and I’m sure all my readers will join me in wishing him a full and speedy recovery.
I was pleased to hear from Membership Secretary Terry Clarke that last month’s Home Counties meeting, at Bricketwood Social Club, was a success.
“We had a really good turnout,” Terry said, “as we were installing former Welsh featherweight champion Terry Rees as our new president following the recent death of our much-loved president, Terry Downes. The Rees family were out in strength to support Terry, and, with Chairman Bob Williams in great form on the microphone, it made for a very joyous occasion.
“Our raffle was well-supported, as usual, and it gives us funds to distribute to worthy causes, some within boxing and some to others that our members bring to our attention. Our next meeting is on March 11, when all will be welcome.”
That last says it all – for every EBA. All will be welcome. You don’t need to have boxed, amateur or pro – if you like boxing, go along to your local EBA. They’ll be delighted to see you.
Punch Lines, Essex EBA’S newsletter, has an update on the Manor Place Baths Reunion, set for April 21 – 12pm until 8pm. Medals will be awarded to every boxer who competed there, and there will be certificates for all those involved in ‘nobbins’ bouts, all those who boxed there five or more times, and all those who made their debuts there.
There will be a record book on sale on the day, detailing all the contests held there – going back to 1908. There were about 230 shows, and around 1,500 bouts.
Anyone wishing to place an advertisement in the book can contact Tommy Burling on 07917 142 409. Tickets (£10 per head) can also be obtained from Tommy, or from Essex Secretary Raymond Lee (07807 739 560).
“If any EBAS have members who have boxed at Manor Place,” Raymond said, “it would be great if they could make it to the reunion. Or if anyone wishes to pick up medals or certificates for boxers who are no longer with us, we will be only too honoured to give them to you. We are expecting a huge turnout, so get your tickets early so that you will not be disappointed.”
My recent query regarding Tommy Cooper elicited a response from reader Simon Collins, who wrote: “I have his definitive biography.
“There are only two lines relating to his boxing experience. He claimed never to have won any championship, contrary to reports that he did win a heavyweight title. He later claimed he spent so much time on the canvas that he was considering changing his name to Rembrandt!”
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