The STARs committee would like to thank everyone for their continuing support of the 100 Club, which in turn supports Glasgow Tigers by promoting the sport across the city and beyond.
Our winter event of the close season was on Saturday 23rd November at Glasgow’s Marriott Hotel where we held ‘An evening with James Grieves’; a tribute to our great Scottish Glasgow Tigers legend who ‘hung up his leathers’ at the end of the season.
And what an evening! It was standing-room only as over 200 fans, family and friends, riders past and present, referees and promoters turned out on a cold evening. There were a number of representatives from James’ previous clubs whose support was much appreciated by everyone.
James’ entrance to great applause set the tone for the evening and soon, with remarkable candour, he was entertaining the room with confessions from the pits; there was many a tale where ‘a frank exchange of views’ had taken place with various riders throughout his career.
There were anecdotes and great banter too, given and received in good spirit, from many of the guests, including David Walsh, Craig Cook, Derek Sneddon, Sean Stoddart, Theo Pijper, Stuart Coleman, David McAllan, and mechanics Graeme Coleman, Fraser Paton and Roy Clarke.
The 100 Club draw for October and November was made by James:
1st prize of £245: Janette Hamilton (October) and Ian Adam (November).
2nd prize of £50: Malcolm McDonald (October) and Ruth Brown (November).
Good timing for the Christmas shopping!
Grateful thanks go to the riders and fans who donated items for the auction. This raised the superb total of over £800 which has been donated to the air fence fund.
Glasgow co-promoter Colin Hamilton gave the fans an update on the current situation with club and team building; we have our first signing! The announcement of Anders Thomsen for the 2014 team was well-received by fans. Colin thanked fans for all their efforts towards the air fence fund. Including the money from the auction the total was now well over £6000. In keeping with a number of other tracks, the promotion had taken up an option to secure a fit-for-purpose, second-hand air fence.
Following the raffle, drawn from the magnificent Scottish Cup resplendent with Tigers scarf, there was another chat with James followed by questions from the floor.
At the end of the night James was presented with a suitably-sized version of his Hall of Fame board by Janette Hamilton, committee member of the STARs group and wife of the co-promoter. STARs committee member Bryan Copland, presented James’ wife Lianne with a bouquet of flowers. James made some presentations too; the first to his long-suffering mechanic Graeme Coleman, and the second with a very moving tribute, to his father Jimmy.
A 16-page programme-style brochure to commemorate James’ long and successful career was available on the night. As well as plenty of facts and stats this includes many pictures, tributes, memorable races and James’ fantasy team. A great read for £2. Looking for a stocking-filler? The few remaining copies are available by e-mailing neil@glasgowtigers.co.
This was a highly enjoyable and successful event. The STARs committee would like to thank everyone who contributed to the success of the night; especially Scott Frame and Ian Adam for conducting the interviews and generally keeping the event on track (if you’ll pardon the pun), Ron McNeill for photographing the event, riders and guests for their contributions, the staff at the Marriott for all their help and everyone for attending and making this such a great event.
Save the date! Our next event will take place at the Marriott Hotel Glasgow on Saturday 22nd February 2014. For now though, we’ll keep you guessing about who our guests might be!
Gwen Stokes
p.s. If your not already a member of our 100 club, sign up forms can be downloaded from our page here.