BISSA Annual Sports Dinner Review

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The fifth annual BISSA sports dinner was held at Shaw Cross Young People’s Club.

John Boyd began proceedings with his inimitable witty comments, followed by a true Batley welcome to all by Colin Bottomley, BISSA Chairman. Colin acknowledged the work of the committee, with particular reference to ‘Freeman, Hardy & Willis’ (AKA Richard, Kieran & Richard) for their efforts in organizing the dinner. He mentioned the various initiatives that were BISSA’s current income streams, and BISSA members were thanked for their continued support….

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There followed a superb meal of soup, roast beef dinner, apple pie and coffee, provided and delivered very professionally by CompleteCatering. Each course was interspersed with a free raffle draw with a variety of donated prizes.

 Well fed and watered, the room sang a traditional birthday greeting to coach Gary Thornton before John Boyd started the auction, the main fundraiser for the night. Bidding began quite slowly but soon punters were in full flow. The highest bid of the evening was £215 for the Directors Day. Other items included signed rugby, cricket and football shirts, signed cricket bats, signed rugby balls, various sporting photographs and a bottle hamper

 The after dinner speech by Mike Summerbee began by him saying how nervous & difficult he thought it was for a footballer to be in a room of rugby supporters. He continued with anecdotes of his time with Swindon, Stockport County & Manchester City. Great names such as Francis Lee and Joe Mercer came into the conversation

 Parallels were drawn between the wages of the time in which Mike played and the footballers of today and that when Joe Mercer wanted to sign him for Man City, he got the grand increase from £35 to £40per week. 

Mr Summerbee went on to recall that Chairmen of clubs used to be more visible and in control, rather than the Managers being the front line men as they seem to be today. He recounted the time when Man City had beaten Everton in a cup game. The champagne flowed in the dressing room, when the Chairman came in and said “Well done lads, we’re off to Wembley. It means we’ll get some money out of it & be able to buy some proper players”!

George Best’s name was mentioned as a good mate of Mike’s in the 60’s when they shared a flat together in Moss Side (unbeknown to their managers, City & Utd being arch rivals)!

 Concluding the evening, Colin Bottomley thanked everyone for supporting the event, and this was reiterated by Ash Lindsay who said that BISSA’s work was fundamental to the squadbuilding process.

 This was perhaps one of the best BISSA dinners yet. Unfortunately there were many cancellations in the last two weeks before the event, which meant numbers were reduced. However, the people who did attend had a very entertaining evening. Good company, good food, good venue, good entertainment.
 

The BISSA committee wishes to thank all involved for their donations and attendance. Particular thanks to Stuart & Sylvia Hull for sponsoring the evening & the Directors for their support.

The organisation continues to go from strength to strength, the sole aim being the financial support for the squad building at Mount Pleasant.

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