We are delighted to be able to tell you that Jonathan Agnew, the BBCís cricket commentator, will be speaking at the next Armchair Club Sportsman’s Dinner on Monday 3rd October.
Jonathan Agnew’s career as the BBC’s cricket commentator has been so successful; it’s easy to forget that he ever played the game. But, as a thrusting seam bowler in the 1980s, he played three Tests for Englandbefore taking up his position in the commentary box. Agnew embodies the authoritative, but endearingly juvenile approach of the Test Match Special team, and as a player he was always looking for the fun element of the game.
When conditions were in his favour, Agnew could be genuinely quick, although he abandoned out-and-out pace in favour of more control in 1987, and enjoyed his best season with 101 wickets for Leicestershire. The most consistent English pace bowler in county cricket in 1987 and 1988, he was ignored by selectors despite a dearth of fast bowling talent.
He had one last day in the sun. In 1992 he answered a plea by an injury-strapped Leicestershire to appear for them in the NatWest semi-final; he took 1 for 31 in 12 parsimonious overs to help out his old side through to the final.
With the support of local businesses our fund raising efforts continue unabated and several awards have been made recently to local sportsmen and women as they strive, sometimes against all the odds it seems, to develop their potential to national and even Olympic status. We continue to work with SportsAid to identify and support genuine local talent.
October’s dinner will continue of our efforts to raise money for those Olympic hopefuls who are preparing already for London 2012, now less than a year away and which promises to be very special. Some of the area’s leading sports personalities have enjoyed a helping hand from the money that has been raised, amongst them Rebecca Adlington, Sam Hynd and Oliver Wilson.
Our comedian is Mike Farrell who is a traditional stand up comedian fromYorkshire who can work to either all male or mixed audiences. No props, no gimmicks, just excellent material and the professionalism to put it across. He rates among the top after dinner comedians on the circuit. He is an ideal comedian for sporting dinners where he has followed them all !† Sir Geoff Hurst, Paul Merson, Jimmy Greaves, Frank Bruno MBE, Bruce Grobbelaar, Graham Gooch OBE, Phil Tufnell, Geoffrey Boycott, Lee Sharpe, Matt Le Tissier, Martin Bayfield and many more. Mike has entertained Armchair Club fans on a number of previous occasions but he’s not been back toMansfield for a few years and will prove to be as popular as ever.
Our Speakers will entertain us for around an hour following an excellent traditional dinner. It promises to be another great Armchair night. Ticket prices have been held for the 5th year running at £30 per person and we can arrange†individual tickets or multiples, and of course tables of 8, 10, and 12 for groups or companies. Invoices can be arranged.
You and your guests are asked to arrive at the Civic Centre anytime after 7.00pm in readiness for the meal being served at†7.45pm. Dress as usual will be lounge suits or blazer and tie.†
†2 more great Armchair Club events to note in your diary:-
Armchair Club: Question of Sport, Monday 6th March 2012 – Civic Centre
Armchair Club: Gala Olympic Send Off, Saturday 30th June 2012 – Civic Centre
Confirming your bookings couldn’t be easier.
Simply telephone Elaine at John Sankeyís office on Mansfield627247 or reply by e-mail to†enquiries@armchairclub.org Remember that Ladies are†very welcome at all Armchair Club events.†Please confirm your attendance on Monday 3rd October by responding to this e-mail asap and certainly before 31st August 2011.
