Ex-champ James Cook’s charity cricket match

THE British weather did its best to put a dampener on the charity cricket match between Essex EBA and James Cook’s All-Stars – and to some extent it succeeded, with the attendance being significantly lower than anticipated and the match being restricted to 10 overs a side.

But John Conteh did his usual great job as auctioneer, and the auction, raffle and “other bits” (to quote EEBA Secretary Raymond Lee) raised just over £4,000 for the Ringside Charitable Trust. That’s a terrific result.

One of the “other bits” was a £1,000 donation from Barry Hearn. Those running the Trust have been trying for a long time to persuade the major promoters to give support it – let’s hope Barry’s generosity will inspire others.

The match itself was certainly exciting. Essex started well, taking two wickets in the first over for just one run. The All-Stars rallied to score 69, and Essex responded with 70 – scoring a four with just three balls left in the final over. But the real winner was the RCT.

Other boxers in attendance included Terry Marsh, Mark Delaney, Tony Humm, Colin McMillan, Jason Beard, Bobby Guynan, Bobby Arthey, EEBA Chairman Tom Burling and Brian Hudspeth.

Also, there were several members of London and Essex EBAs, including LEBA Chairman Bob Cheeseman, George Sawyer, Gary Hudspeth, Paul Fairweather, Terry Bay and Mickey Cannon.

Well done to everyone who played a part in organising the event – they don’t organise themselves – and those who braved the weather and supported it. This is a truly great cause.

An update to last week’s story on Going for Gold, the play on the life of Croydon ex-amateur and pro, the late Frankie Lucas. This goes on at The Park Theatre, Finsbury Park, from November 6 – November 30 inclusive (NOT one night only, as implied last week) – Monday to Saturday evenings, with matinees on Mondays and Thursdays.

Co-producer Frank Skully contacted me to say: “We would love to get your association [Croydon EBA] involved in our project by having one performance dedicated to the boxers of Croydon, where we could have you all together, watching the show – amateurs and professionals, family and friends. The theatre holds 90-odd, so obviously numbers are limited – but we would love to fill the theatre up as a tribute to Frankie Lucas and the boxers of Croydon.”

Tickets are normally £30 per head, but if the Croydonians come as a group the cost will be only £10. Anyone interested can contact me (please let me know what dates you can or can’t make) and I’ll liaise with Frank. And anyone wanting more information can contact Frank on 07725-859-856, or by e-mail (gfgoldfilm@gmail.com).

Merseyside Former Boxers Association Chairman Mick Molyneux has stepped down after many years’ service, and George Metcalf – one of my regular correspondents – has taken over. Well done, George. 

The current Mug’s Alley – MFBA’s monthly newsletter – has another of Robbie Robinson’s fascinating pen-pictures, this time of Kenny Salisbury, who was born in Liverpool, boxed with some success for the Halewood Club and then emigrated to Australia.

Kenny turned pro in 1979 and went unbeaten in his first 27 outings (one draw). Then, as Australian super-welterweight champion, he met Zimbabwe’s Nelson Bosso for the vacant Commonwealth strap and duly delivered, not dropping a round on any of the official scorecards.

After three more wins Kenny came to London for his first bout outside Australia and his first defence – against Bristol’s big-punching Nick Wilshire at the Albert Hall, in June 1985. It ended unsatisfactorily after two rounds, Kenny having sustained a badly-cut eyelid – he wasn’t happy about the stoppage, and was told he would get an early rematch. But he never boxed again.

Home Counties EBA meet at 1.00 this Sunday (September 22) at Bricketwood Social Club, St Albans, and guest speaker will be top amateur referee Sandy Matthewson. “We have a great venue, with great food and people,” Chairman Bob Williams says. A sure recipe for success.