GOOD TO HAVE YOU BACK
The Northern Ireland Exboxers’ Association has made a return
I WAS delighted to hear from former BN correspondent Denis O’hara that the Northern Ireland Ex-boxers’ Association has been revived. At a time when some EBAS have folded, this is wonderful news. President is former British bantamweight champion Paddy Maguire, whom I remember as a real crowd-pleaser in the 1970s. Paddy won the title at the third attempt, having come second in great 15-rounders with Johnny Clark and Dave Needham. A return with Needham saw Paddy lift the title on a 14th-round cuts stoppage. Paddy retired after losing his title to Welshman Johnny Owen.
Chairman is Cecil Martin, and Secretary is another ex-pro, Sammy Vernon, who boxed at featherweight in the ‘60s and ‘70s and met some of the best, including future British champion Allan Richardson, now Leeds EBA President. Treasurer is Terry Milligan, son of the late, great amateur of the same name, who won the 1958 Empire Games middleweight gold medal in Cardiff. Also on the committee are former pro bantam Seanie Mccafferty (“Sean” when he was boxing), who represented Ireland at flyweight at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Paddy Mckenna and Wilbert Graham. The last two are described as “good organisers,” and Wilbert takes photographs.
Meetings will be held on the second Saturday of every month at the Belfast National Club, Queen Street – next one scheduled for April 13 at 12.15pm. Reportedly, Seanie Mccafferty and Sammy Vernon have been “trawling” Northern Ireland for more retired fighters to join, and several have indicated they will attend. And trips are planned, to places like Dublin. The original NIEBA was formed in the early 1960s, and lasted until around the close of the century. Members included fighters of the calibre of Rinty Monaghan, Bunty Doran, Jackie Briers, Terry Milligan Snr, John Mcnally, Freddie Gilroy and John Caldwell, It’s hoped that the revamped Association will attract interest outside of Belfast.
“We intend to spread the net, and bring boys in from the country,” Seanie Mccafferty said. “There are many retired boxers living not too far from the city centre who would be keen to attend our social gatherings. We plan monthly meetings, plus a special Christmas ‘do’. Already, I’ve had interest from former Commonwealth Games silver medallist Gerry “Ducksy” Hamill, who will bring in from Ballymena another top ex-amateur – Johnny Thompson. We hope to interest other fighters such as Bob Sempey, Henry Turkington, [former IBF flyweight champion] Dave “Boy” Mcauley, Roy Webb and
[former WBO welterweight titlist] Eamonn Loughran.”
I wish the newly revived Association the very best of luck, and I’ll publish any news I get on their activities, new members etc. I was particularly pleased to see a big article, with photo, in Belfast’s Irish News. The local press can give valuable publicity, letting people know the Association’s there and encouraging people to join.
Brighton EBA’S March meeting was enlivened by visitors from Home Counties and Croydon. HCEBA member Terry Clarke said: “We hired a minibus and driver. Thirteen members made the trip – Chairman Bob Williams, Secretary Kieran Mccann, Treasurer Chas Taylor, Lee Every, Kevin O’sullivan, John Smith, Ray Mumford, Peter Taylor, William Evans, Sandy Matterson, Roger Slater, Robin Bartlet and myself. We arrived at The Romans pub just after noon, to be met with open arms by the Brighton members. We had a great day meeting old friends and making new, and everyone said how much they enjoyed the trip. I was relieved and happy that the day went well, it being my first time of organising such a trip, Where are we going next? Watch this space!”
I’ve often said that to survive, EBAS must be willing to experiment – and here’s an experiment that clearly worked. Home Counties would certainly be welcome at Croydon, who were represented at Brighton by President Bill Caswell, Vice-president Dave Mccarthy and Chairman Barry Penny. “It was a tremendous day,” Barry said. “Probably the biggest crowd I’ve ever seen there.”