The Sporting calendar

One day in 1974, a little boy who was highly competitive with his 8 year old big brother, was watching television one saturday afternoon.
After listening to “Abide with me” he then sat down and watched an exhibition of football at Wembley stadium.
Liverpool were playing Newcastle United in the FA Cup final, Liverpool won the match 3-0 and lifted the FA cup.

Every year since then, as the little boy grew up, as well as watching every other FA Cup final with his friends, he added other great British sporting events to his memories.

Epic Grand Nationals and the impressive Red Rum, Borg versus McEnroe Wimbledon finals, Five nations rugby union, Ashes cricket test matches, Olympic games, World title boxing fights, Grand prix names that became legends, etc.

With each event, the little boy expanded his interest in big British sporting occasions and events.
During each event, the streets would empty of kids and whilst the event was running, the tennis courts would be packed, the football matches on nearby fields would have the local kids named after their football heroes, last seen on “kick off” or “the big match.”

Today, sport in Britain is dismissed for much of the time and is viewed as unimportant. Whilst many complain about Britain losing its indentity, when it comes to the traditional sporting calendar, many people don’t bother to watch it, let alone support or pass traditions onto their own kids.

In 2009, when I hear “Abide with me” being sang by 80,000 fans at wembley, or I watch 5 hours of classic tennis at a wimbledon final, “Bread of heaven” or “Swing low” sang by thousands at rugby union grounds, or to witness a new British formula one champion on the last bend of the last grand prix of the season, or witness the start of the Grand National, etc, the hairs on my neck still stand on end.

This website is for every British sporting fan who feels the same way.

Oh and that little boy?
That was me, almost 40 years ago!