Close Martin Peters
Soccer legend Martin Peters was in Taunton recently when he was the guest speaker at the inaugural dinner of the Somerset Sporting Alliance that took place in the Colin Atkinson Pavilion at the County Ground.

Eighty guests sat spellbound as the 1996 World Cup winner recalled the lead up to the final and that nailbiting day on July 30th forty years ago, when he scored one of the goals that enabled England to lift the Jules Rimet Trophy for the first time ever, an occasion that ranks for many people as this country’s greatest sporting achievement yet.

Peters said that for those of a certain age the two things that they remember in their lives is where they were on the day that President Kennedy was shot and where they were when we won the World Cup in 1966.

Regarding that special day Peters said: “It was obviously a memorable occasion for those of us who played and anybody who was watching and it is still going on 40 years later. I was only a baby of 22 at the time so it was a bit of a whirlwind experience for me.”

“I only made my international debut on May 4th 1966 and a short time after that I was lifting the World Cup for England so it was a runaway time for me, one that I will never forget. Wonderful times and great memories to keep talking about like we are tonight!”

He went on: “Forty years on it is still fresh in my mind because even though I speak at a number of dinners even if I am not speaking people still come up to me in the street and shake my hand, talk to me and thank me for what I did.”

To round a most successful and enjoyable evening off an auction of sporting memorabilia, including some items signed by Peters raised more than £500 that was donated to the Tony Coles Charitable Trust for youth cricket in the south west of England.

Close Bob Champion
More than 100 people attended the second Somerset Sporting Alliance dinner at the County Ground recently, where Bob Champion, who won the Grand National aboard Aldaniti in 1981 was the guest of honour. The national hunt jockey enthralled the guests with the story of his career and spoke about his racing experiences as well as his own personal triumphs over his life threatening illness. A most enjoyable and highly successful part of the evening involved a video re-run of a race at Liverpool which involved each table being allocated two horses, which caused much excitement. The evening concluded with a raffle which resulted in £250 being donated to charity and an auction which raised over £400 towards the Richard Johnson Benefit Fund.

During the evening a cheque for £500, the proceeds of the previous dinner’s auction was donated to the Tony Coles Charitable Trust for Youth Cricket that was received on the trust’s behalf by Paul Bulbeck.and thank me for what I did.”

Close Justin Langer
Australian Test star Justin Langer stole the limelight at the County Ground when he was one of the guests at the most recent Somerset Sporting Alliance Dinner that took place on July 6th.

Assistant England coach Matthew Maynard was the guest of honour, but he was eclipsed by Langer who sat relaxed on a stool and answered a number of interesting and searching questions that had been submitted by the large number of guests.

Those present sat spell bound as Keith Parsons put the star of 100 Test matches on the spot. Langer showed what an all round experienced professional he is with his answers, the openness and honesty of which captivated his audience and who afterwards showed their appreciation.

In addition to the Australian, Somerset and England’s Ian Blackwell, Maynard and Parsons also answered questions from the floor as well as Maynard being interviewed by local hero Parsons all of which added to the overall success of the occasion.

At the end of the evening Langer was presented with a specially produced limited edition polo shirt to commemorate the Twenty20 record breaking score of 250 for three, that he had helped to score on his first appearance for Somerset, which are now on sale at the cricket shop at the County Ground.

He went on: “Forty years on it is still fresh in my mind because even though I speak at a number of dinners even if I am not speaking people still come up to me in the street and shake my hand, talk to me and thank me for what I did.”

Close Phil Bennett
Rugby Union legend Phil Bennett was the guest speaker at the fourth and final Sporting Alliance Dinner of 2006, which was held in the comfortable surroundings of the Priory Suite at Taunton Rugby Club.

The former Wales and British Lions fly half regaled the 140 guests present with anecdotes and stories from his playing days when the game was strictly amateur.

He gave a wonderful insight into his experiences on the all conquering 1974 British Lions tour to South Africa under the captaincy of that larger than life character Willie John McBride.

Since it’s launch back earlier in the year the Somerset Sporting Alliance, which is run by Caroline and Bryan Enticott and county cricketer Keith Parsons, has been a great success and through the year has hosted dinners featuring famous names from the world of sport including Grand National winner Bob Champion and 1966 England World Cup hero Martin Peters.

Close Alan Kennedy
Former Liverpool Football Club and England full back Alan Kennedy was the star turn at the first Sporting alliance Dinner of 2007 that took place in the Colin Atkinson Pavilion at The County Ground last week.

The Liverpool legend, who holds the distinction of being the only player to score the winning goal in two European Cup finals, regaled the large number present with anecdotes and experiences from his long and colourful playing career, which started with Newcastle in 1972 and continued until he was forced to retire in 1994 at the age of 40, by which time he was playing for Barrow.

Kennedy, who set a new record transfer fee for a full back of £330,000 when he signed for Liverpool in 1978, held the audience spellbound as he talked in detail about his two European Cup winning goals.

After his speech, Kennedy answered questions from the many Reds fans present and afterwards remained signing autographs and talking for long after the dinner concluded. During the evening Somerset cricketer Keith Parsons, one of the Sporting Alliance partners, told those present that during their first year of existence, the alliance had donated more than £2000 to local worthy causes.

Following the Alan Kennedy Dinner, Parsons said that the Sporting Alliance would be making donations to the academy and towards youth cricket locally.

Three more Sporting Alliance Dinners are planned for the coming year. The next one will on Thursday April 5th when there will be a horseracing theme. On June 21st a dinner with a cricketing theme is scheduled and the programme will conclude with a rugby themed dinner on September 14th.

Close Martin, David Pipe & Tom Scudamore
The Somerset Sporting Alliance hosted a special Grand National Dinner at the County Ground in Taunton last week where the guest speakers were David and Martin Pipe and newly appointed stable jockey Tom Scudamore.

Each of the three guests spoke in turn about their racing experiences in addition to answering many questions that were posed by the large numbers who attended this special event.

The Pipe and Scudamore names are inextricably linked with the world of National Hunt racing and each of the three gave a fascinating insight into the equine world.

With the Grand National just a few days away many questions were asked of all three regarding the big race, where Scudamore will be riding the Pipe trained Puntal.

In addition to the guest speakers those who attended enjoyed the thrills of being involved with an Aintree race on the big screen.

None of the guest speakers charged a fee for their appearance and at the end of the evening cheques for £600 were presented to both the Devon Air Ambulance and the Injured Jockey Fund.

Close Rodney Hogg
Former Australian paceman Rodney Hogg was the guest speaker at the Sporting Alliance Summer Dinner that took place in the Colin Atkinson Pavilion at the County Ground last week.

Almost 130 guests were present to hear the Aussie bowler recall some of the highlights of his career, during which he played in 38 Test matches for his country and took 123 wickets at an average of 28.47.

The highlight of his career was claiming 41 Ashes wickets in the 1978-9 series at a cost of 12.85 each- as he reminded those present on several occasions!

Two current Somerset players, Craig Kieswetter and Mark Turner both went under the spotlight for a short while to take part in a question and answer session that was both informative and enjoyable.

During the evening, Somerset cricketer Keith Parsons, one of the Sporting Alliance partners, presented a cheque to Richard Brice the chairman of Taunton St Andrew’s Cricket Club to assist with the club’s youth development programme.

The evening concluded with an auction and a raffle.

Close Mervyn Davies

Rugby Union legend Mervyn Davies was the guest of honour at the Somerset Sporting Alliance Dinner that took place at Taunton Rugby Club on Friday September 14th and what a rugby occasion it turned out to be.

Almost 120 guests enjoyed a superb four course meal in the Priory Suite at Hyde Lane, to the backdrop of England playing South Africa in the World Cup that was shown on the big screen, about which less said the better!

Following the conclusion of the meal ‘Merv the Swerve’ the former Wales and British Lions Number 8 stood up and entertained those present in his own inimitable style, with a series of anecdotes and recollections of his days playing alongside some of the greats of the game including Willie John McBride, the Pontypool Front Row, Gareth Edwards, Phil Bennett and many many more.

The big man’s speech was so interesting that it was a huge disappointment when he eventually sat down, leaving those present wanting more!

During the evening Keith Parsons presented a £500 cheque for Taunton Rugby Club to Keith Cooling the club’s President. The evening concluded with a raffle.

Close Jeff Probyn
The opening dinner of the newly formed Devon Sporting Alliance took place recently at Sandy Park, the new home of Exeter Rugby Football Club.

The evening was hosted by Somerset County cricketer Keith Parsons along with Bryan and Caroline Enticott who are the three directors of Sporting Spectrum Ltd.

Following a most enjoyable three- course dinner, the audience were wonderfully entertained by former England star Jeff Probyn who stepped in as a last minute replacement for Graham Rowntree.

Jeff talked about many of his experiences in Rugby Union particularly his playing career with Wasps, his involvement in coaching England Under 21’s and his selection onto the RFU Committee.

The former England man graphically described the events surrounding his first full cap for England at the age of 31 against France in front of 70,000 people at The Parc De France in Paris.

He also shared his experiences of rugby’s most colourful characters from his playing days, including Wayne Dooley, Will Carling, Micky Skinner, Brian Moore and coach Roger Uttley, as the successful team of the 90’s won two Grand Slams and reached the 1991 World Cup Final against Australia at Twickenham.

Finally Jeff fielded a series of questions from the floor about touring and the recent changes in the game. He was also quizzed about England’s recent success in the World Cup and current squad selection.

Close Tony Cottee
Tony Cottee was the special guest at the Second Devon Alliance Dinner at Sandy Park, Exeter on Friday 4 May 2007. Tony talked about being football and particularly Hammers mad from a very young age remembering the FA Cup successes of 1975 and 1980 under the management of John Lyall. He became a member of the successful team in the mid eighties which finished third in the then Division 1 and also talked of being on the fringe of the England squad (7 caps) around the time of the World Cup in Mexico 1986 when Bobby Robson was Manager. He spoke of his record transfer to Everton and a Cup Final appearance against Liverpool in the Hillsborough season of 1989 before admitting that things went downhill for him on Merseyside. Next came a fascinating insight into some of the great characters of the game as he resurrected his career under Harry Redknapp back at West Ham before joining up with Martin O'Neill at Leicester City where he won his only honour in the game, a League Cup Winners medal. Short spells in the same season after Leicester at Norwich, Barnet (Manager) and Millwall meant that he had achieved a unique record of playing in every Division of the Football League in the same season, an achievement only matched by a goalkeeper back in 1980 and now not possible. Finally he commented on his SKY TV work and took questions from the floor on both West Ham and England current form.

Close Marcus Trescothick
Marcus Trescothick was the guest of honour at the Devon Sporting Alliance Dinner that took place at Sandy Park, the home of Exeter Rugby Club on Thursday.

In excess of 80 guests sat spellbound as Trescothick was interviewed by his Somerset playing colleague Keith Parsons, before taking part in a question and answer session later in the evening.

The England Test man named Shane Warne as the best bowler he had ever faced, whilst Pakistan’s Shoaib Akhtar was the fastest he had come across.

Reflecting on his early career when his opening partner was Mark Lathwell he said: “Mark was a brilliant player and it was a real shame that he didn’t play county cricket for Somerset for longer than he did. To watch him bat was a real spectacle.”

When asked about the highlights of his career, ‘Tresco’ listed winning the Ashes in 2005 along with Somerset’s C and G success in 2001 and Twenty20 Cup win four years later as his most memorable occasions.

After the evening had concluded with a raffle the England Test star signed autographs and chatted with the guests.

Marcus has been granted a Benefit Season with Somerset CCC during 2008

Close Robert Jones
Former Welsh RFU captain Robert Jones M.B.E. was the guest speaker at Taunton Rugby Club for the final Sporting Alliance’s dinner of this season.

More than 150 guests were treated to a fascinating insight of life from the inside of Welsh rugby during Jones’ 54 international appearances for Wales and his two British Lions tours.

Mine host Bryan Enticott paid tribute to his fellow Sporting Spectrum director Keith Parsons who earlier this season announced his retirement from Somerset County Cricket Club after 17 highly successful seasons at the County Ground.

During the evening Lee Vickery from Taunton RFC was presented with a cheque for £500 towards youth rugby at the club by The Sporting Alliance.

Somerset Sporting Alliance will be holding their next sporting dinner early in 2009, when the special guest of honour will be former England football international Viv Anderson.

Close Sir Richard Hadlee
Cricketing legend Sir Richard Hadlee was the special guest of honour at the sell out Somerset Sporting Alliance Dinner on Thursday.

Hadlee had all of those present spellbound as he talked through some of his experiences of playing against some of the all time greats of the modern era of cricket.

For one of the Somerset players who sitting close by him, Arul Suppiah, this was a very special occasion.

“It was years ago that I first came to meet Sir Richard Hadlee, in fact I think that it was in 1995 when he ran a coaching clinic in Singapore that I attended for a couple of days,” Suppiah said.

“At that time I used to bowl seamers and bat and he spotted me and said he thought that I had talent and spoke to my parents as well as the Malaysian Cricket Association and said that I should go abroad and develop my cricket further.

“Millfield School came up with a scholarship which I took and here I am now, but if not for him probably none of this would have happened.”

The 24 year old went on: “I haven’t met him since, but when we met on Thursday I think that he remembered me. At that time I was quite chubby and short so it was good that he remembered me and to be able to sit on the top table chatting with him, and get some tips from him was a great experience.”

He added: “He is a great player with a fantastic record and thoroughly deserves all the accolades that he has been given. He is a great entertainer, a very nice humble guy and a top man in my book.”

The evening concluded with an auction of cricketing memorabilia and a raffle, after which Hadlee remained for some while signing autographs and talking to guests.

Close Richard Phillips
National Hunt trainer Richard Phillips was the guest of honour at another highly successful Sporting Alliance Dinner that took place at the County Ground on Friday March 28th.

The focus of the evening was the Grand National, a race to which Phillips, who trains near to Morton in Marsh is no stranger.

Phillips gave a fascinating insight into the world of National Hunt racing and regaled almost 140 guests with many anecdotes and amusing stories from his experiences.

Racing on the big screen has become something of a feature of the Grand National Dinner and this year’s was no exception with the action proving to be highly exciting as tables cheered for their chosen runners.

The evening also included a memorabilia auction and a raffle, proceeds of which were donated to The Injured Jockey’s Fund via the **Paula ***Deal London Marathon Appeal. The entertaining evening was hosted as ever by Sporting Alliance partners Somerset cricketer Keith Parsons and Bryan Enticott.

Close Paul Nicholls
Paul Nicholls was the guest of honour at the first ever Sporting Alliance Dinner to be held at Wincanton Racecourse on Friday 15 February 2008.

The Champion Trainer wouldn’t and perhaps couldn’t be drawn on the question on everyone’s lips, namely which of his stable stars Denman or Kauto Star would prevail in this year’s blue riband event at the National Hunt Cheltenham Festival.

Nicholls also addressed questions about his early career as a jockey as well as talking about the pressures of modern day training and his desire to send out a constant stream of winners.

In a Question and Answer session along with Sporting Spectrum Ltd Directors Keith Parsons and Bryan Enticott, he undertook a quick preview of this year’s Festival Entries and highlighted his thoughts about the best chances of success from the Ditcheat Stable.

The evening concluded with a Raffle and Charity Auction in aid of recently injured trainer Robert Alner who is still in intensive care in Frenchay Hospital. Paul Nicholls` assistant Dan Skelton conducted an entertaining auction and an impressive £1800 was raised for the Dorset Handler over the course of the evening.

Close Bruce Grobbellar
Liverpool legend Bruce Grobbelaar was the guest speaker at the Somerset Sporting Alliance’s opening dinner of 2008, which took place in the Colin Atkinson Pavilion at the County Ground in Taunton on Thursday.

The former Reds ‘keeper wowed the 150 guests, a record number for the Taunton based organisation, which is now in it’s third year, with anecdotes from his 13 years with Liverpool, during which he won as many medals.

One of those medals was won in the 1984 European Cup Final against A.S. Roma during which he spectacularly saved a penalty thanks to his ‘spaghetti legs’ antics which he demonstrated, much to the amusement of all those present.

Since they were first established back in 2006, Somerset Sporting Alliance has donated more than £4,500 to charity, including the Tony Coles Trust for Youth Cricket in the South West, Taunton Youth Rugby, Taunton St Andrews Youth Cricket, Over Stowey CC and the Injured Jockey’s Fund.

Close Nobby Stiles
England World Cup winning legend Nobby Stiles was given a standing ovation by those who attended The Opening 2009 Sporting Alliance Dinner at the County Ground in Taunton.

More than 150 guests sat spell bound while the England 1966 hero enthralled them with memories from his long and illustrious football career, during which he made 311 first team appearances for Manchester United and played in 28 England internationals.

Stiles regaled the guests with stories from his early days as an apprentice at Old Trafford, where he joined the staff as a 15 year old in July 1957, eight months before the Munich air disaster.

He recounted the build up to English football’s finest hour 1966, and picked out anecdotes from each of the matches, including the final against West Germany on that never to be forgotten day- Saturday July 30th.

The England hero said that the greatest player he ever saw was Duncan Edwards, who sadly perished at Munich, the best player he had been in the same side as was Bobby Charlton and the best player on the pitch in the 1966 World Cup Final was Alan Ball.

During the course of the evening Marcus Trescothick, the 2008 Somerset beneficiary was presented with a cheque for £1,000 and then took part in a question and answer session with Keith Parsons.

Trescothick told those present that he was looking forward to a successful 2009 for Somerset during which the team would be looking to compete in all four competitions, but particularly the one day competitions which were becoming increasingly important.

The most enjoyable and highly successful evening concluded with a raffle.

The next Sporting Alliance Dinner will be the Grand National Night on Friday March 27th, when the guest speaker will be champion Trainer Paul Nicholls. Bookings or further details can be obtained by calling 01823 338530 or by logging onto www.sportingalliance.co.uk

Close Paul Nicholls Grand National Preview Dinner
Paul Nicholls was the guest of honour at this year’s Sporting Alliance Grand National Dinner held at Somerset CCC, Taunton on Friday 27 March 2009.

The Champion Trainer gave a wonderful interview with host Bryan Enticott on his Aintree Festival chances this year including an update on anti-post favourite My Will in the big race itself. He also reflected on his magnificent achievement of five winners at the 2009 Cheltenham Festival where stable stars Kauto Star and Denman filled the first two places home in the Gold Cup.

In a Question and Answer session along with Sporting Spectrum Ltd Director, Nicholls also addressed questions about his early career as a jockey aswell as talking about the pressures of modern day training and his desire to send out a constant stream of winners.

The evening concluded with a Raffle in aid of the Conquest Centre (Riding for the Disabled) at Norton Fitzwarren with £1000 being raised for the charity over the course of the evening, incidentally a figure Nicholls has agreed to double should he be successful in the National next Saturday with one of his four horses.

Hospitality outfit Sporting Spectrum Ltd and The Somerset Sporting Alliance Dinners now have a short break until Thursday 13, August when their will be an Ashes themed evening with special guest, former Australian Test Cricketer Merv Hughes at Somerset CCC.

For further details and bookings on these events or any other hospitality requirements, then please contact Bryan Enticott at Sporting Spectrum Ltd on 01823 338530 or enticott@sportingspectrum.co.uk

Close Merv Hughes
The Sporting Alliance hosted its biggest ever dinner in the Colin Atkinson Pavilion at the County Ground in Taunton on Thursday 13th August when former Australian Test bowler Merv Hughes attracted almost 200 guests.

The larger than life character played in 53 Test matches between 1985 and 1994-5 during which he captured 212 wickets at an average of just over 28.

His best performance was in the Ashes series in the summer of 1993 when during the course of six Tests he bowled almost 300 overs and took 31 England wickets to help the men in baggy green caps to a 4-1 series victory.

Hughes is now a selector for the Australian national team and those present sat spell bound as he regaled them with sporting anecdotes from his long and colourful playing career.

If that wasn’t enough the big hearted Australian then invited questions from the floor during which he gave his thoughts on a wide range of subjects.

Many questions related to the upcoming crucial final Ashes Test at the Oval which he said was between two inexperienced but evenly matched sides.

Twenty20 cricket he thought was a way of introducing people to the game, but believed that Test cricket was the backbone of the game and would always be the ultimate contest- especially between England and Australia.

On the topic of the use of modern technology to aid the umpires Hughes believed that the game either had to embrace it entirely and use it for all decisions or not at all, there was no half way house.

There could have been no better way of bringing the curtain down on the Sporting Alliance Dinners at the Colin Atkinson Pavilion this year, before the venue is completely refurbished during the winter months, and re-opening in April- with another Alliance Dinner!

The final Sporting Alliance Dinner of 2009 will be on Friday October 16th at Taunton Rugby Club when former England and Bath rugby player Gareth Chilcott will be the guest speaker.