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SGB Sports
does not eat dog’ so suffice to say at this point that my memory of how certain
sections of the Press vilified, scorned and belittled this passionate man who put
his full heart and soul into the job, was really unacceptable – and their influence
on England supporters equally so. Graham, like us all when we look back,
would doubtless have done some things differently, but isn’t hindsight easy? He
describes the aftermath as the time he “hit the brick wall”.
STAG news
Precision Training claims to be Britain’s number one specialist sports training
In tough economic times, check out the latest news from the STAG
aids brand, and is wholly owned by Reydon Sports. It is a one-stop place for a
buying group – you might see something that takes your fancy.
wide variety of training aids and more, and its products are used by clubs and
individuals. In addition to items that one might expect to be included in the
range such as goalposts, water bottles, tactic boards, markers and cones, first
Finnies of Ayr signs up to STAG
aid kits, whistles and more, there are others which were either new to me or at
New owners join buying group
least that are less obvious but can add not simply to a team’s portfolio but also
Colin and Scott, new owners of Finnies of Ayr have joined the STAG
to the ever more important bottom line of those who supply the end users.
Buying Group. The previous owner, Ernie Finnie has sold the business
Graham, as its ‘Ambassador’ is passionate in his support of the brand and
to two long-term employees. Ward Robertson, MD of STAG is
makes visits to schools promoting the product. He will be busy at the NEC
delighted to welcome the two new owners into the STAG family
Birmingham four-day show in June fervently believing that ‘Precision Training’ is
which proves the point even more than ever that both long
the ‘bedrock’ of football.
established and new owners alike see the plain economic sense of
Despite, or possible even benefiting from, the economic problems facing us,
buying group membership.
and taking advantage of the government’s current emphasis on healthier living
through activity, prospects for
One of STAG's longest established
Precision Training look good.
Graham suggests that if our
retailers continues relationship with
political leaders were really
new owners
serious about increasing
Paul Froome, new owner writes: "It was a pleasure to meet Ward
awareness and participation in
again and find out more about the group and it only reaffirms my
sport the Minister for Sport
desire to work with STAG now and in the future. "
should be a Cabinet post, so
STAG MD Ward commented: " I am delighted to welcome Paul and
maybe a copy of this edition of
his wife into STAG and to continue on with a new membership. Paul
SGB should be on its way to
will breathe new life into a very well established business and
Number Ten with this
independent sports retailer. The STAG buying group will have an
sentence highlighted. Time
immediate effect on improving the profit margins and bottom line of
and money spent on sport by
the business."
government and local
authorities could pay dividends
Yorkshire retailer signs up
in the Nation’s health and
Trevor Hinchliffe, owner of The Real Sports Store, Rotherham, has
sporting achievement. How
joined the STAG Buying Group. His manager, Andrew Thorpe of 25
many pitches, for example, are
years service had researched the buying group and an obvious
pitched to size, taking account
conclusion was reached. Ward Robertson, MD of STAG visited the
of the early ages of players?
store on Friday 30 Jan and is delighted to accept Trevor and his
Six- to ten-year-olds playing on adult pitches does not make sense, and that is
excellent sports retail business into STAG.
one of many issues we discussed.
“Women's football,” Graham told me “is the largest growing sport in the
UK.” It may not (yet) draw the crowds but retailers are neglecting that sector of
PUMA meets STAG
the market at their peril. The women’s game is indeed slower, but their skill in
Puma md, tony ward and sales manager, tom kavanagh meet the
turning, passing and general play is more easily appreciated. I had the distinct
stag buying Group joint md's, ward robertson & ricky chandler 02
feeling, as we came to the end of our conversation that entering into the
feb 2009
Precision Training market, Graham was in the process of fulfilling a new
STAG's joint Managing Directors, Ward Robertson and Ricky
ambition. To enable young players to play with more skill, to make full use of
Chandler, recently met with PUMA's top brass to discuss ways in
their abilities, to understand team work and discipline too, all the better to enjoy
which the sports brand can support our members in 2009. Ward said
the beautiful game. Only a very tiny minority will become stars in the public eye.
of the meeting, "We found the attitude and exchange of ideas
But stars they will be, all the same, like Graham himself, as he put it, “Never
absolutely first class. PUMA has a huge degree of support for our
forget where you came from.” And in years to come some may recall the names
members and it shows with the first of many new incentives starting
of those who helped them, names like Graham Taylor. Graham’s services to
this month [February 09]."
football were recognized in 2002 by the award of an OBE. He regularly
commentates on Radio 5 Live and is a newspaper columnist. He has very
recently become a non-executive Director back with Watford FC where he will
hopefully be able to watch many games and see the club once more on the up
and up. As I write, surgeons are due to have one last go at an Achilles operation
– we wish him well.
“And if you could wave a magic wand and make a wish”, I asked, “What
would that wish be?” There was no hesitation. “England to win the 2010
Cup.” he replied, adding “It will probably be my last chance to see that
happen.” Cheers Graham. That’s precisely our train of thought too.
FEBRUARY 2009 SGB SPORTS 21
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