Thanks to my Dad, from my teenage years I got to go to a lot of Sports Dinners. Through his work at the time, he got to go to the Manchester United Luncheon Club each month, along with a lot more Dinners in the North West area. As soon as he thought I was old enough, he took me with him, knowing how much I loved the history of sport. I was very fortunate to listen to and meet many Legends like George Best, Gordon Banks, Nobby Stiles, Peter Shilton, Paddy Crerand, Jimmy Greaves, Jack Charlton, Nat Lofthouse, along with other great sportsmen. So, when I heard about Roy Cavanagh’s book on After Dinner Speaking, I knew it would be a book that I would enjoy reading.
Roy didn’t just attend Sportsman’s Dinners, he was heavily involved in organising them. His memories of all these, which he describes in his book ‘Speak for your Dinner’ are fantastic to read about. Some of them brought back great memories of the speakers I listened to, whilst those who I was never fortunate to hear were just as interesting to read about. Roy is an excellent writer, as has been seen with his previous books and articles in the United Review in the 1980s, and this book continues the high quality of his work. His excellent knowledge and understanding of the history of sport, especially football and cricket is very evident throughout this book. Roy has now been watching Manchester United for over 50 years and other sports for a similar length of time.
If you have attended any Sporting Dinners then this is a book that you will enjoy reading. If you have not attended any Dinners, then reading this book would still be an enjoyable read too and would make you want to attend some. Priced at only £6.99 it is certainly worth getting, especially as a Christmas or Birthday present for a sports loving friend or family member.
Speak for your Dinner by Roy Cavanagh MBE is now available to buy from Amazon’s website.
Roy Cavanagh’s Twitter Account – @RoyMBE
