Whoever took to the hallowed lawns of Wimbledon’s Centre Court during this year’s Championships, and even considering the heroics of Novak Djokovic and Angelique Kerber in becoming the 2018 victors, it would be hard to the beat the star quality with whom Alan Durban once locked horns on a tennis court.
Pele. And Sean Connery.
Yes, probably the most famous footballer who has ever lived, and none other than James Bond himself. Quite a combination.
How on earth did that come about?
Durban takes up the story, of a surreal day in Marbella some 36 years ago.
“It was back in 1982, just after the World Cup had finished in Spain,” he explains.
“I was out there with my family and on the first day I went to the Puerto Romana complex to have a look around.
“Bjorn Borg was there giving someone a lesson with his coach Lennart Bergelin and I was booking a lesson for my daughter for the next day.
“As I was leaving a Belgian Davis Cup player asked me if I would pop down the next afternoon as he had ‘arranged a nice little four’ for a game of doubles if I fancied it.
“I was Sunderland manager at the time and his partner was a girl from Middlesbrough so I think she knew I played a bit of tennis.
“’Well, why not?’ I thought, and went back, as requested, the next afternoon.
“Lo and behold the other two who turned up ready for the game….were Pele, and Sean Connery!
“To be honest, they weren’t the best, so we split up and I played with Sean against Pele and the Belgian Davis Cup player.
“Funnily enough I should have played against Pele at football, back in 1966, when Wales had two games against Brazil before the World Cup.
“I think we were their ‘fodder’ to prepare for the tournament, but Pele didn’t play, I think he had an injury.”
Durban, born in Port Talbot but now living in Telford, is sat in the conservatory at Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis & Squash Club, where he has been a member for the last 15 years.
He has been studiously watching the World Cup group game between Argentina and Nigeria, and half time offers an opening for a chat.
A cheery exchange of greetings takes place with all who walk past – it is clearly a club where Durban feels very comfortable and very much at home.
A footballing figure who achieved great success as both player and manager, he is not prone to shouting from the rooftops about it.
Even the magnificent Pele and Sean Connery anecdote has to be prised out of him having been picked up from elsewhere.
And maybe it is them who should have been asking about Alan Durban!
A playing career which saw him earn 27 Welsh caps in total – the first of which came in one of those fixtures against Brazil – included the memorable 1971/72 First Division title secured with Derby County under the management of Brian Clough.
He had previously started his career with Cardiff, and would later join Shrewsbury, going on to become Player Manager before also serving as boss with Stoke City, Sunderland and Cardiff.
In total he managed for over 500 games, including promotions with Shrewsbury and Stoke, and remains very much a fan of all football.
“What has happened to all the goalscoring midfielders,” he breaks off to ask.
“Where have they gone? Since Lampard and Gerrard, no one has really come forward who scores goals from that position….”
Durban was an attacking midfielder, but in truth his prowess in all manner of sports meant he may well have hit the heights in other areas had it not been football.
He spent three years on the books of Glamorgan Cricket Club, and, in tennis, reached the semi-finals of the Welsh Junior Championships, whilst also helping Derby outfit Ockbrook & Borrowash to a title the one year.
So it was more than just footballing silverware he gathered in the East Midlands!
“Football, tennis, cricket, table tennis, golf – my life has basically been built around sport,” he explains.
“I was brought up in a house which was extremely competitive.
“My Grandmother would throw the Monopoly board up in the air if she started losing.
“So I probably picked up a bit of my competitive edge from her…”
Durban has shared the sporting arena with many other top sporting names aside from Pele.
He played tennis against Roger Taylor and Mark Cox – “which showed me just how useless I was” – cricket with Tony Lewis, and of course football with the likes of Archie Gemmill and Roy McFarland.
“And when you’ve walked out at Wembley with Bobby Moore, it doesn’t get much better than that,” Durban adds.
This article is mainly about his tennis though, and how Durban, who turned 76 on July 7th, is still manoeuvring his way around the court despite those advancing years and enjoying the spirit and camaraderie of doubles’ fare.
It was tennis that afforded the proud Welshman his first job after football, although even that was related to showing a glimpse of his sporting ability.
“It was Brian Gray, formerly a prominent member at Wolverhampton, who owned Telford Racquets Centre at the time,” he recalls.
“I lost my job as manager of Cardiff – I made a mistake taking that job to be honest – and Brian asked me to go along for an interview to manage the Racquets Centre.
“He asked if I would have a game of tennis with him as part of the process.
“What that had to do with my ability to manage the tennis centre I’m not so sure?!
“But at 5-3 up in the first set, I did ask him what my best chance would be of getting the job – whether to go on and win or let him get back into it!
“I eventually got the job, and really enjoyed my time there, I had a great ten years.”
Telford Racquets Centre was eventually to close, and, aside from the day job, that left Durban needing a new venue to play his tennis.
The late and renowned WLTSC-based tennis/squash coach Pete Brown, whose son Scott came through the Wolves Academy and has now made over 400 appearances a goalkeeper, was a regular at Telford coaching the Welsh national juniors.
“When the centre closed Pete suggested I came over to Wolverhampton,” says Durban.
“I knew the club anyway as I had played a few matches here.
“Half of us from Telford came over to Wolverhampton and half went over to the Shrewsbury Indoor Centre.
“I do still play a bit at Shrewsbury as well, but a lot of the same crowd who came over to Wolverhampton from Telford all those years ago are still playing here now.
“And I still very much enjoy my tennis.
“A few years ago I would still be involved at a national level, in Veterans’ tournaments, and when I first came to the club here, I was involved with the Second team which was a good standard.
“I’m not as fit as I used to be – you’d expect that at my age – but if I’m honest I don’t spend too much time looking backwards.
“When you look around at the facilities and the environment at WLTSC, and the weather as it has been recently, it’s not too bad is it?
“And I still get to go abroad to play some tennis in that same warm weather from time to time, or to watch football – that’s the beauty of being retired!
“There is still the golf as well, I play at Shifnal a couple of times a week and, while I am not any more, for many years I was off single figures.
“I have always had that competitive edge, whatever I have done, although I am probably slightly more humble now when I lose….it is happening far more often so I have to be!
“What I would say is that when I play tennis now it is always nice when people stay for a drink afterwards as well.
“It is part and parcel to have a chat after the game, to be sociable, otherwise you just don’t find out about people do you?”
And Durban is certainly a big fan of the progressive attitude at WLTSC, both with the facilities available and the potential for the future.
“It is a great club here,” he says.
“And I think it is continuing to develop.
“That is the big thing for me. – people are looking ahead at how it can improve rather than just wallowing in being very good as it is at the moment.
“There is a nice atmosphere here and some good people, and they are looking to move it forward.”
And yes, as in most sporting institutions, there is the odd bit of football chat flowing in the spacious bar area, not so much about Durban’s career history but more the modern game.
He continued to scout at the end of his managerial career, adding Kevin Phillips to his ‘scoops’ having previously taken Ally McCoist to Sunderland during his time in the managerial hotseat on Wearside.
He enjoys purely a watching brief now, and it is the current Wolves crop who are very much on the agenda.
“I still get to watch Stoke and Derby fairly regularly, and saw four or five Wolves games last season,” he says.
“That Neves, he is some player isn’t he?
“And when I was playing I was never happy with my centre back being in the left back position but he seems happy enough in there!
“Wolves were a pleasure to watch, how the coach got them going so well so quickly and the way they all have so much confidence in each other.
“I suppose my tactical brain still keeps going a little bit, and it was nice to see something new, and great to watch.
“I think they will be alright in the Premier League this season as well.
“So yes, we will still talk football here at the club, and there has been a lot of talk about Wolves over the last year – the West Brom people have gone a bit quiet.”
With that Durban is back into the bar, sharing a joke with fellow club members and taking his seat for the second half.
Lionel Messi starts to do his stuff, but whether he and the current James Bond Daniel Craig would fancy their chances against the ever-sprightly and enthusiastic Durban remains to be seen…
WLTSC Personal trainer Brendon Turner and his intrepid team are back in training for another gruelling fundraising challenge, in memory of his father Dennis.
The latest Lord Bilston Big Challenge is entitled ‘Carry the Load’, and will see the adventurous group transport two members of staff from Compton Care – previously called Compton Hospice – on the back of a tandem, on a stretcher, and in a canoe, without their feet touching the floor.
Just the small matter of 140 miles to cover during the event which takes place on Saturday, July 21st, and will raise money for Compton Care.
Dennis Turner became Lord Bilston in 2005 having dedicated his life to service to the community, including many years as a Wolverhampton Councillor and Deputy Leader – and serving as the Member of Parliament for Wolverhampton South West.
He passed away at the age of 71 following a battle with cancer in 2014, and the Turner family remain indebted to the care he received in his final days with Compton Care.
That inspired Brendon to start these epic bi-annual challenges in memory of his Dad, and to raise funds for the crucial charity – and challenge three is now just around the corner!
“We were really impressed with Compton Care and the care and dedication which they showed to my Dad,” he explains.
“In the July after he had passed away in the February, we decided to do a fundraiser, just as a way of saying thank you.
“I wanted to organise an event that represented a real challenge like the one Compton staff and cancer patients face on a daily basis.
“For the first one it was a group of my mates, around 12 of us on total, and we did a cycle ride, canoed at Bala and walked up Snowdon in a 13-hour challenge which raised £13,000.
“Two years ago we did it again, starting with a cycle ride form Anglesey, carrying our bikes of the top of the mountain and swimming in Lake Bala, and that raised about £15,000.
“Now it is time for our biggest challenge yet!
“We’re doing a cycle ride starting from Swansea, which will include taking two members of Compton Care’s staff – Grace Lee and Debbie Smith – in a trailer, followed by an eight mile hike when we will carry them on a stretcher, back on the tandem, and then in the back of a canoe down the River Wye
“Then it’s back on the bikes at Hay-on-Wye for the final journey back to Wolverhampton.
“The message of the ride is that we know that the staff at Compton Care carry a load for so many people at their most stressful and sad times, and that can be really difficult.
“They give people so much help and comfort, and they make it as painless as possible for those going through such a tough experience, just as we were with my Dad.
“So on this occasion we are going to ‘Carry the Load’ for the members of staff from Compton, all the way back from Swansea to Wolverhampton.”
Training is well underway for the mammoth challenge, with several among the team having also been part of the WLTSC contingent which took part in last Friday’s ride to Aberdovey in aid of Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Ironically, Dennis himself was not necessarily a keen fitness enthusiast, and so Brendon’s inspiration for the challenges is more down to his sense of community than time spent in the gym!
“I wouldn’t say my Dad was too keen on exercise,” Brendon explains.
“He used to turn up to the gym in his suit and say he couldn’t do much because he had to go off to a meeting!
“So all this is quite ironic really!
“But he was a great public servant, and he was all about meeting people, being in social circles, and was very much a driver of the sort of teamwork which we will need for this challenge.
“He would never turn anyone away if they had a problem, and even if he was out for a drink and someone approached him he would try and help – he was never off duty.
“He was always committed to people helping others, and a strong sense of community spirit, and those are the values and the philosophy which we are trying to keep going.
“I am just keeping my Dad’s memory alive in a positive way, whilst at the same time helping out a really caring and important charity.
“No wage or salary would have been enough to repay the love and affection the nurses from Compton and Dad’s beloved NHS displayed in his last days in this world.”
A golf day was recently held to kick off this year’s fundraising, and the target from the Lord Bilston Big Challenge is to surpass last year’s total of £15,000.
Brendon’s Mum and Dennis’s widow Patricia has helped out with contributions to the kit for this year’s race, and she and daughter Jenny will be supporting every step of the way.
When the party return to WLTSC on the evening of July 21st, a celebration dinner will be held where family, friends, sponsors and supporters can get together and, hopefully, toast another successful Lord Bilston Big Challenge.
Grace Lee PR, and Marketing Manager at Compton Care, who is one of those being ‘chauffeured’ for the challenge, says:
“Brendon and the rest of the Lord Bilston Big Challenge have been fantastic supporters of Compton Care, always pushing themselves to the limit to help raise essential funds so we can continue to deliver extraordinary care for local people living with incurable illnesses.
“When Brendon first approached us with the ‘carry the load’ idea for this year’s challenge we were so impressed and really moved by the sentiment and motivation behind it.
“It is true to say that Compton carries and guides people through their experiences of life with an incurable condition, and so we’re touched that the group want to give something back in such a thoughtful and imaginative way.
“As one of the people being ‘carried’ I’m not quite sure what to expect from the challenge, but I do know that we will all be working incredibly hard to raise as much as possible for Compton Care and honour the memory of a great local man – Lord Bilston, Dennis Turner.”
The standard of tennis matched the scorching weather as members of Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis & Squash Club enjoyed their Club Championships Finals weekend.
At the end of three weeks of action in which 183 matches took place across many different competitions, the winners were crowned in the Newbridge sunshine in front of a sizeable and lively crowd.
“I am very proud to be the tennis Chairman when we have a day like today,” said Nigel Eastwood, tennis chairman at WLTSC.
“I can’t remember a better day for the weather for finals day, or a better day for the quality of the tennis on show.
“It was great to see so many young players involved, and the combined age of the ladies’ final, at just 29, must have been the lowest ever.”
It was 13-year-old Adeola Greatorex who was victorious in that final, against Lily Hale, while Henry Parry’s impressive recent dominance of the Mens’ Singles title was brought to an end thanks to a superb performance from Fin Cook.
Cook then partnered Tom Welsh to victory against Paul Hodgetts and James Henderson in an entertaining Mens’ Doubles final, whilst Cathy Lea and Louise Scott prevailed in the Ladies doubles final against Elizabeth Allan and Jane Hatton.
The mixed doubles final saw Hodgetts and Serena Gill defeat Robin Chipperfield and Cynthia Jackson.
As well as the main draws there were other graded tournaments and consolation plate competitions, ensuring all members had a good opportunity to make progress through the draws.
“We had over 200 entries in total, and it was great to see the club so busy over the last three weeks,” added Hodgetts, Every Point Rackets Manager at WLTSC.
“The standard at the top end of the club is probably higher than it has ever been, but for us as a club, it is about more than just the best players.
“The way the draws are graded means that all our members can take part at their different levels and have a fair chance to make a final.
“Finals Day was a great success – it is probably the biggest date on our tennis calendar and we turn it into an entertaining event and something which spectators can really enjoy.”
Other Finals Results:
Mens’ A Singles Plate: Ross Fletcher beat Robin Chipperfield.
Mens’ B Singles: Adrian Watts beat Alex Birch.
Mens’ B Singles Plate: Steve Turner beat Jonathan Whitehead.
Mens’ C Singles: Paul Fothergill beat Steve Pearcey.
Mens’ C Singles Plate: Luke Carpenter beat Jason Mansell.
Mens’ B Doubles: Mark Shahar & Sol Shahar beat Jon Evans & Dave Tilley.
Mens’ B Doubles Plate: Mark Fletcher & Alex Fletcher beat Glenn Rickwood & Richard Down.
Ladies’ A Singles Plate: Lucy Calrow beat Jacqueline Greatorex.
A report from the British Journal of Medical Science outlined that racquet sports, swimming and aerobics are the three forms of physical activity best suited to avoiding heart disease and strokes.
And the world-renowned Forbes Magazine once cited the sport of squash as the healthiest of them all, edging out rowing and rock climbing, following extensive research.
Reports and research can often say many different things, but for a real-life example of the benefits of regular activity via the medium of squash, step forward the one and only Keith Allcock!
Keith, from Tettenhall, continues to both perspire and inspire as part of the regular Wednesday squash mix-in at Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis and Squash Club.
Fit as a fiddle, he comes off court still showing plenty of energy and all the benefits associated with an hour-and-a-half of vigorous exercise.
And yet, Keith is 82 years old!
“I come to the squash mix-in every week and play a bit at other times as well – it is brilliant!” he explains.
“I have great fun with the other guys.
“I have been playing squash since I was 46 when a friend of mine asked me for a game of squash and we went along to Stafford Leisure Centre.
“I loved it from the start, being able to thrash the ball around like you can on a squash court!
“As soon as I get on court I feel like I come alive.
“I have always been really into sport and keeping fit and playing squash is a great way of doing that.”
Keith’s competitive streak stems from an early career as a weightlifter, and has continued with his squash.
He has previously made good progress through the draw in veterans events in the World Over-75s Championships and British Open, including finishing runner-up in the latter in 2011.
It isMattMcFahn, Head of Squash and Racketball at WLTSC, who leads the mix-ins at which Keith and many other players do battle, both on and off court!
“The mix-in sessions are competitive but also great socially as well, with plenty of banter,” saysMatt.
“We have players of many different ages and it is a session that they all look forward to.
“As well as that research about squash being such a healthy sport, it is also worth remembering that it is also all about thinking as well.
“You move fast, move slow, sometimes long rallies and sometimes short, but you are always using your brain.
“In terms of Keith, you wouldn’t believe that he is 82.
“With him having previously been a weightlifter, he has always been really competitive.
“The amazing thing about Keith is that if we do a practice, he is the one person we can never get to stop or drop out!
“He will sit out just to share everything around if needs be but apart from that we can’t get him off because he is so keen to keep playing and hitting the ball.
