People in the Isle of Man will have a chance to hear first hand from three of British rugby’s biggest personalities this summer.
The black tie dinner event, ‘Lions and Dragons: dinner with the Invincibles’, has been organised by the Isle of Man Sporting and Dining Club, is sponsored by HSBC and will take place on Thursday 28th June. At the dinner, guest speakers Willie John McBride MBE, Gareth Edwards and JPR Williams will reveal in their own words the story behind the controversial and historic 1974 British Lions tour of South Africa.
Willie John McBride, from County Antrim, didn’t start playing until he was 17 but went on to become captain of Ireland and the British Lions for this unbeaten tour against South Africa. Capped 63 times, 12 as captain, Willie was named in Rugby World magazine as “Heineken Rugby Personality of the Century” in 2004.
Cardiff, Wales and British Lions scrum half Gareth Edwards established an outstanding reputation during his playing career, and was recently voted the greatest rugby player of all time. With a warm, passionate, revealing and entertaining story to tell, his views come with the authority of one who has achieved all there is to accomplish in the game.
JPR Williams is remembered as being the most famous Welsh and British Lions full back of all-time, helping Wales to six Triple Crowns and three Grand Slams, and was known as England’s worst nightmare, scoring five tries against them in ten Tests. An orthopedic surgeon by profession, JPR was noted for his aggressive attacking style, and was an enthusiastic exponent of the tour’s famous “99” call.
A charity raffle will yet again be held during the dinner, with all funds raised being donated to a local charity to be selected by sponsors HSBC.
The event will take place at the Mount Murray Hotel & Country Club in Santon, with dinner tickets costing ?65 for members and ?80 for non-members, available by contacting the Club on 07624 495749 or at john@sportinganddiningclub.com.
Kevin Cartledge, Senior Manager at HSBC in the Isle of Man, said:
“The calibre and the range of speakers at this year’s Sporting and Dining Club’s dinners is fantastic, with people in the Isle of Man already having the opportunity to hear from a leading business woman and a renowned author and politician. This dinner will offer something very different. It should be a hugely entertaining evening, and one at which I hope we can continue to raise a significant sum for local charities.”
John Wannenburgh of the IoM Sporting and Dining Club added:
“These three British Lions are among the biggest and most controversial rugby personalities of all time and we are incredibly fortunate to have them come and speak to us. Their stories about how the squad coped with the controversy and pressure of a tour against such powerful Springbok opposition will be fascinating and I’m sure it will be another popular event.”
Popular contemporary author and political figure Jeffrey Archer will be the guest speaker at the next sold out dinner sponsored by HSBC on Thursday 26th April.
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