Knockout success for heroes

A SPORTSMAN’S evening organised by Warrington Freemasons was a knock-out success raising more than £3,000 for Help for Heroes.
Among the sporting memorabilia auctioned on the night was a boxing glove worn by former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and signed by him and a framed set of signed photographs of former British heavyweight boxing champion Henry Cooper.
The star sporting guest of the night was Warrington born footballer Steve Kindon. Steve knew he was in for a home-town welcome but the night brought back many memories of his youth for he went to school in Woolston and then the Wade Deacon in Widnes with Ian Boswell who is the chairman of the Warrington Group of Masonic Lodges. There was also time for Steve to chat with his teenage “mate”, Chris Eyres, who was one of the evening’s organisers.
At the start of the evening in Warrington Masonic Hall the sell-out audience heard from former soldier and Warrington Freemason Lt Col Les Taylor Duff who told of the important work being undertaken for members of our Armed Forces when they return home injured and for the families of those who have laid down their lives for their country.
Before his after-dinner speech Steve helped Dave Tabron with the auction of sporting goods which included a signed Warrington Wolves ball, a signed Everton ball, a day at Donnington driving a racing car, a day at the races, a round of golf, tickets for the races and a match at Lancashire County Cricket Club. The highest bid of the night was for four people to attend a Bolton Wanderers game with special hospitality including a meal.
The Mike Tyson boxing glove was bought for £210 by Freemason Tom Maunder and his son Alan who thought that it was “a good investment”.
Steve told the audience how he was brought up watching his uncle play Rugby League and his father play Rugby Union. But after seeing the World Cup he decided he wanted to play football and just 18 months after his debut on a soccer pitch in Padgate was playing in the First Division with Burnley. With more than 160 first-class goals to his credit, this former striker/left winger starred with Wolves – where he earned the nickname “The Tank” for his bustling style – Burnley and Huddersfield in the 70’s and 80’s and he also won caps for England in the youth team, the under-23’s and England B.
For seven years running, he gained the title of the fastest footballer in Britain at the annual competition at the Meadowbank Stadium.
It will be some time before it is known exactly how much was raised on the night but organiser Vic Charlesworth is confident that it will be more than £3,000 which will be presented to Help for Heroes.
Pictures (Top): Nice to see you again “mate”. Steve Kindon gives Chris Eyres a friendly tap with the boxing glove used by former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson.

Steve Kindon was welcomed to the Gentlemen’s evening by Warrington Masonic Group Chairman Ian Boswell (left) who he went to school with in Woolston and Widnes. Pictured with them are group vice chairman Barry Jameson and group secretary Colin Boardman.

(L-R)Warrington Town Chief Executive Gary Skentelbery with Steven Kindon and Bolton Wanderers Chairman Phil Garside.