SpoonFeature
BILL
BEAUMONT
AFTER BEING HONOURED BY THE QUEEN FOR HIS
SERVICES TO CHARITY, SPOON CAUGHT UP WITH
BILL BEAUMONT CBE TO TALK ENGLAND, THE LIONS
AND CASH IN THE ATTIC.
INTERVIEW BY JULIAN CRABTREE
ill Beaumont would
B
probably disagree but how
Martin Johnson would love
to be able to call up a player of his
calibre to the current England team.
Beaumont won 34 caps for England
- 21 as skipper - and led England to
their first Grand Slam in 23 years in
1980.
Unfortunately for England
Beaumont was forced into
retirement in 1982 but he remains
one of the few players who would
have thrived in the modern
professional game. Quick of thought
and on his feet, Beaumont had the
ball skills and the lineout ability to
challenge the Chris Jacks, Victor
Matfields and Paul O’Connells of the
modern game.
Today Beaumont remains humble
and modest and is still heavily
involved in rugby - when he is not
raising money for Spoon.
Already an Officer of the Order of
the British Empire he was appointed
Commander of the Order of the
British Empire in the 2008 Birthday
Honours for his services to charities.
“It was a fantastic occasion,” said
Bill who visited Buckingham palace
in October 2008.
“I was fortunate to get an extra
person in so my three sons as well
as my wife could attend the actual
ceremony at the palace. It was one
of those things you will never
forget. “The queen asked me about
my rugby and I told her that I see
her grandsons and her daughter at
quite a few of the games - she said
yes they were very keen on rugby.
She is very well informed about
what people are there for. It was a
great honour and makes you feel
very humble as well.”
18 Spoonews Winter 2009
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