What Borthwick’s done is simply remarkable!

FOR nigh on 74 years I have been an avid watcher of the Leicester sports scene.

Taken to Grace Road and Welford Road by keen parents at an early age, I grew to love cricket and rugby and later, in my schooldays, took an interest in Leicester City, so I have a long history of enjoying the times of all three clubs.

In all those years there have been fine administrators and brilliant players, too numerous to mention.

Today I would like to salute the most remarkable efforts of one particular man – and I’m not sure he will particularly thank me for mentioning it as he appears very modest.

I have never met him, but his wisdom, knowledge and dedication have lifted him in my eyes to one of Leicester’s greatest ever – Steve Borthwick.

I suspect he could have moved anywhere but he chose to come to Leicester Tigers and Welford Road.

What he has achieved here already in his short time is nothing short of miraculous.

He took over a rather sadly sinking ship, after much glory over the years, but where are Tigers now?

They are comfortably top of the Gallagher Premiership, unbeaten in domestic and European games, playing superb rugby with a great fan base, a great young group of aspiring players, top men who have graced both England and a few other nations’ shirts as well.

They have elevated Tigers to a position in the sport where everyone can again be proud beyond belief.

Of course he’s not done it alone, and has had great help from other Tigers officials, to which I’m sure he’d readily agree, but do not underestimate what Borthwick has achieved.

He has put so many smiles on the faces of Leicester sports fans and if anyone deserves the Freedom of our City more than this man in the field of sport, I’d be surprised.

Mike Ross, Wigston