IT’S ALL ABOUT TEAMWORK
EBAS must spread the load between members in order to prosper
I’M delighted to report that Croydon EBA Chairman Barry Penny is back home after a spell in hospital. He’d hoped to be out in a few days, but in the event it was more than three weeks. Very frustrating for someone as active as Barry, but he’s making good progress, and fully intends to make Croydon’s next meeting, on July 29 at The Orchard, Cherry Orchard Road (11am start).
He couldn’t make the June meeting, so the question was, how would we manage? It’s easy to say “Good old so-and-so, he looks after everything”, but if good old so-and-so isn’t available, others need to take over. Earlier this year, Nottingham EBA folded because Gary Rooksby couldn’t continue doing everything, and, decades ago, Sussex EBA folded when Secretary Ernie Woodman died.
For the Croydon June meeting there were two main concerns – getting the newsletter printed, and finding a Chairman.
When I visited Barry in hospital he explained the procedure regarding the newsletter, and assured me the lady at the printers was very helpful, and efficient. I duly took the stuff over, and she was! On the day of the meeting, I quickly realised it was up to me to take the chair, but could I combine that with taking the minutes? Only one way to find out! And it was a happy meeting, as always.
The point is that it’s vital to have backup. If the usual person isn’t available to carry out a particular task, someone else needs to.
Members – not just committee members – need to think what jobs they could take on, so things can continue smoothly. And so that individuals aren’t overburdened – if someone has too many duties, what a relief if another member can take over a few of them. Even one of them.
Another important thing – as I’ve said before – is that EBAS show they’re in touch with the modern scene. This month’s Mug’s Alley – newsletter of the Merseyside Former Boxers’ Association – has tributes to the late Brendan Ingle and recently retired Paul Smith, and a ‘good luck’ message to Robbie Davies Jnr, due to box for the British super-lightweight title in October.
And there’s a fascinating four-page article on the National Sporting Club, with insights into such legendary characters as “Peggy” Bettinson (described as “the Tsar of British, if not
world boxing”) and the Gutteridge twins, George and Ernest (better known as Dick and Jack), who often acted as house seconds there. George/dick’s son Reg, of course, became a top boxing writer.
Going back to the Croydon meeting, after the formal part I chatted with members Mick Hussey and Trevor Cattouse, both of whom I watched and covered in the ‘70s and early ‘80s. Mick paid his own tribute to Brendan Ingle.
“I boxed him at the Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington, in 1973,” Mick said. “I’d been training to fight a guy called Bob Murphy, but he pulled out and I got Brendan Ingle instead. They said: ‘We’ve got you an old boy!’
“Murphy was a come-forward, in your face type. Ingle was the total opposite – he boxed like his fighters, jab and move. I couldn’t lay a glove on him! I said to him afterwards, ‘Why couldn’t you keep still!’ Brendan beat me on points. Later I did meet Bob Murphy, and beat him in three rounds.”
Trevor Cattouse recalled: “Sammy Reeson beat me for the Southern Area light-heavyweight title. I took a break, and wanted to come back as a cruiserweight, but I wanted to manage myself, and the Board said no. Johnny Simmonds suggested I take out a trainer’s licence, so I did. Doug Bidwell approached me and asked me to look after Ross Minter, and I trained him for the early part of his career.”
Bournemouth EBA’S Annual Reunion takes place on Saturday July 28 from 12pm to 6pm at Chapel Gate, East Parley, Christchurch. Everyone is welcome and admission is free, but Bournemouth need to know numbers by this Sunday ( July 8). So if you, or a party from your EBA, would like to go, please contact Chairman Dave Toohig at davetoohig@aol.co.uk.