50TH ANNIVERSARY
Awards presented as London EBA celebrates its half century
THE London EBA’S 50th Anniversary Luncheon took place at The Grand Connaught Rooms, Holborn, on February 20 – and was the great day it deserved to be. Members of several other EBAS turned up, to support the day. Sadly, Storm Eunice was doing its worst, causing problems with transport – and neither the Scottish nor the Leicester contingent could make it. But it was good to see members of the Essex, Central (Midlands), Home Counties and Croydon Associations.
Nine former world champions were there – it should have been 10, but sadly former World Boxing Union lightweight Colin Dunne, who had come down from Liverpool the previous day, suffered a heart attack and was in hospital. I remember Colin as a brave, all-action fighter who took part in some memorable scraps – I’m sure everyone wishes him the very best.
Two people we were very glad to see were former promoter/manager Harry Holland, after his recent road crash, and leading writer Colin Hart, after a long battle with Covid.
The event replaced the traditional Annual Awards Lunch, where awards are given to boxing people based on their achievements over the previous 12 months. With so little boxing having taken place, it seemed more appropriate to make this a celebration of our 50th anniversary – and trophies were presented to people for “outstanding services to LEBA” over the past half-century.
The first award was a posthumous one – to the late Jack and Mary Powell, who were there from the outset. Jack was LEBA’S first secretary, and later became President – Mary took over as secretary, and held the position until shortly before her death in 2014. Current secretary (and treasurer) Ray Caulfield, who did a great job as MC, paid tribute to them both – and asked Frank Warren to make the presentation. Frank, like the Powells, hails from Islington, and recalled how Jack and Mary helped another “Islington boy,” former world flyweight champion Terry Allen, when he ran into difficulties in later life. The award was presented to the couple’s three sons, Stephen, John and Desmond – Stephen of course has been LEBA President for many years and John is a keen member and attendee. Stephen also received an award in his own right.
Other recipients included several LEBA Vice-presidents. Charlie Wright was praised for his work in organising events such as LEBA’S Henry Cooper Golf Classic, which always subsidised our Awards
Lunch. Ray Caulfield gave the good news that it’s hoped to revive the event, under the title of The British Champions Golf Day. In an emotional speech, Charlie described LEBA as a great organisation, “like all EBAS,” and stressed the need for EBAS to look after one another. Peter Kent, still going strong at 97, has done a tremendous amount to raise LEBA’S profile (every December he raises a lot of many in LEBA’S name for a local hospice): Frank Warren has supported LEBA since his early days as a promoter: Barbara O’sullivan was honoured for her work as Assistant Secretary and our best-ever fund-raiser (she was selling raffle tickets on the day, as always, and the raffle raised a magnificent £2,400): James Cook, awarded the MBE for his work in the community, was applauded when he said: “Boxing taught me respect, manners and attitude.” He was described as “one of our greatest ambassadors,” as was EX-WBC light-heavyweight champion John Conteh, a great supporter of the EBA movement and a brilliant auctioneer, for instance at LEBA’S Golf Day. And Tommy Burling was honoured for his work in organising reunions, and in starting Essex EBA.
Alan Shaw received a trophy for his tireless work as a photographer, and I too was honoured to receive one. It’s certainly “nice to belong”.
LEBA members please note: the March meeting (the AGM) takes place on March 13 (the second Sunday), to avoid clashing with the BBBOFC Awards Lunch taking place on March 6.