Your biggest sporting achievements?

[ColneMonkey]

Christ Church Primary (Colne) Three-legged race, 1989. I was partnered with my mate Gareth who, halfway down the track, managed to stand on my ankle and bend my foot in such a way I nearly passed out.

However, I pushed through the pain and we won!

My ankle has been knackered ever since and randomly ‘goes’ without any warning.

I retired from three-legged races shortly afterwards and often wonder what dizzying heights my professional level would have reached if it want for that accident.

[Vintage Claret]

7 for 12 (inc 4 in 4 balls) v British Gas in a works mid week cricket league during the late 90's at Pleasington

[what_no_pies]

Done lots in cue sports - Pool World Championship / Captained my County team / won National tournaments etc.

Best achievement by far though was beating my own highest break by 50. I'd been stuck on 83 for a long time then hit my first ever ton with a 133 clearance. I couldn't wait to tell my Dad.

[Rick_Muller]

Where to start… difficult to pick!

I used to regularly beat Ryder Cup golfer David Howell when we were teenagers (he was 2 years my junior though and it was clear he had something special)

Played in the same team as ex England bowler Jon Lewis, and often smashed him for 6 in practice. (Also 2 years my junior… he was in the same year as David above)

Came 3rd in a Junior Team Triathlon (I did the swim)

[Herts Clarets]

Saved a penalty on the Turf in the CM game.

Div 1 champions and player of the year in the BFC 6 a side league 1994

I bowled Burnley player Paul McKenzie first delivery on Ringstone Crescent

[RN_Claret]

7 for 16 against Skipton CI (for Barlick 3rds) in 1980; 50-odd not out for HMS Brave (late 80s) and a goal in Gisburn Road Junior School's Cup Final 2-1 win against Lord St Primary in the heady 72/73 season. Surprised I never made it onto BBC Sports bloke of the Year

[helmclaret]

I’ll always remember the morning the news broke that Princess Diana died.

I captained Bury u16s to a 5-1 win over Burnley on Gawthorpe.

[ClaretTony]

Once hit 180 at darts in the Wellington pub in Burnley. That was before a cricketing injury left me cross eyed. Would be impossible now I suspect.

I also scored a goal at a Football League ground. It was Cambridge and I have to admit that there was no one else in the pitch but never mind that, it went in from around ten yards out.

Was involved in a 120+ partnership with Lancs & England batsman Frank Hayes. I think it was 17 that I got.

[Inchy]

There seems like there are enough decent cricketers on here to make a fantastic vets team

[Inchy]

Ha, how is Ste?

Still golfing although not as much now he’s got 2 kids. Still plays off a low single figure handicap

[Stproc]

5 overs, 5 maiden, 7 wickets, 0 runs when I was 18 at youth level
Day after, I got 7 wickets for 2 runs playing for the school team.

[Croydon Claret]

Horse riding level 6

[Claret Toni]

Scoring the only goal in a 5-1 defeat in the Barnoldswick derby for Rainhall Road School against Gisburn Road School in 1962, aged 9.

News of that achievement must have been noticed by the eminent Football League Club Workington Town, 'cos I received a phone call 13 years later asking if I'd like to turn out for their reserves the following day. I must have been expecting a better offer 'cos I declined. I was then asked did I know anyone else who could play

[KateR]

got my two lengths certificate at a very young age, so proud and later won the swim finals for several years at school and represented the town Dreams of Olympic but quickly realized there were swimmers much faster than I was but was proud of the achievements.

Playing golf and tennis in the Middle East, moved from 18 to 12 hand'p in three months, winning a few cups and medals and took part in Qatar Vs Bahrain, home/away (always used to joke I represented Qatar at international golf level lol. This was great fun and a highlight of the year for me and many, as we each had to host the traveling team. The aim of the night before the tournament was always eventful, the main aim was to get your visitor(s) as hungover as possible, there was always a few sights and some sorry looking players before the shotgun start early the next morning.

Played decent club tennis level (a long time ago!) and decided to enter the Qatar Open (before the main professionals, although there were many tennis club pro's that entered), soon found my level playing a Filipino girl, losing 6-0 / 6-1. Remember dreaming of a comeback when I won my first game early in the second set but alas no but I gave it a go and proud I did plus avoided the whitewash!

I'm useless at running for running sake, if a ball is involved, Tennis/squash and badminton (yes I know it's not a ball) then I enjoy it but alas not done anything for a couple of years. So a very big shout out of respect to those doing full/full Marathons and peak climbing, no way I'd even try, even when I was young.

What a really good thread/idea/read and so many interesting tales from the UTC community

[Burnley1989]

Thinking about it I’ve not many, finished 3rd in a 10 mile fell race in 1:06 back in 2017, only non club runner in top 50 and I was fit as a fiddle at the time, was proud because I lost my head and walked at one stage, only came 3rd by 1 second.
Ended up in an ambulance afterwards

[Southportclaret]

Got Geoff Boycott out.
Oxford University v Yorkshire 1980.

[jdrobbo]

Still golfing although not as much now he’s got 2 kids. Still plays off a low single figure handicap

Good for him. Hope your old man is ok too. Would be lovely to see him at some point. Have you started your new position yet? Congrats.

[ClaretTony]

Got Geoff Boycott out.
Oxford University v Yorkshire 1980.

You can go to the top for that achievement. I hope you got him cheaply.

[fidelcastro]

Bowling Gary Kirsten, a player who has scored a ton against every Test country.

This was for Earby in Yorkshire against Great Harwood.

Earby is in Lancashire, but well done all the same!

[ClaretTony]

Earby is in Lancashire, but well done all the same!

Probably wasn’t when bodge was bowling for them

[fidelcastro]

Probably wasn’t when bodge was bowling for them

Wow... What level did he bowl Kirsten out? Under 9's?

[sjb]

Scoring the only goal in a 5-1 defeat in the Barnoldswick derby for Rainhall Road School against Gisburn Road School in 1962, aged 9.

News of that achievement must have been noticed by the eminent Football League Club Workington Town, 'cos I received a phone call 13 years later asking if I'd like to turn out for their reserves the following day. I must have been expecting a better offer 'cos I declined. I was then asked did I know anyone else who could play

Workington Town is a Rugby League team. The football team is just Workington AFC

[fidelcastro]

Workington Town is a Rugby League team. The football team is just Workington AFC

Is it just me or are there one or two claims on here that sound like complete BS?

[Claret Toni]

Is it just me or are there one or two claims on here that sound like complete BS?

Sorry you feel this way - it was some 40+ years ago, when I was working in West Cumbria. I used to go and watch "Der Reds" in mid-week when they had a home match - Colin Blant was playing at the back for them at the time. I was more than surprised to get a 'phone call from them, but was equally put down when they effectively said anyone would do. In context I seem to recall they lost their league status at the end of that season.

[SirBob]

Me and a few friends raised money for cancer research a few years ago. Cycled 160 miles around North Wales in a single day, that was a good day.

Also cycled from John O’Groats to Lands End about 950 miles over 12 days, not very fast but that was more a cycle holiday, drank and eat so much I put on weight

Finished 4th at parkrun once I was quite chuffed with that too

Lots of 100 miles bike fondos, got over taken by Cavendish on the horseshoe pass in Llangollen on one of them, probably my biggest claim to fame

[sjb]

Sorry you feel this way - it was some 40+ years ago, when I was working in West Cumbria. I used to go and watch "Der Reds" in mid-week when they had a home match - Colin Blant was playing at the back for them at the time. I was more than surprised to get a 'phone call from them, but was equally put down when they effectively said anyone would do. In context I seem to recall they lost their league status at the end of that season.

Colin Blant did play for Workington in their final league season which was 1976/77. My father supported Burnley for over 70 years and always said Blant was the worst player he ever saw!

[midlander63]

Never got beyond Sunday football - played at left back in a team for around 4 years (would have played right back but he other full back was better and this was the only way to get a shirt)
Staffordshire League so we got to play in the Staffs Senior Cup (this used to get won regularly I believe by Port Vale or Stoke City) - we played in the preliminary rounds - due to lack of pitches our game had to be decided on the day - so penalties. We drew 1-1 and it was penalties.
I was our 8th player to take a penalty - never scored a goal in my life - I scored it - and their next bloke misses!
I've also done 3 marathons but that penalty remains - it was so good scoring it!
Advice from our 'manager' - 'just do your best'

[Clarets4me]

Oxford University 3 -9 University of Reading ... 1984, at Iffley Road, right next door to the Athletics tack where Sir Roger Bannister ran the first 4 minute mile .. It was a " preparation game " for the Varsity Match, and to say the defeat was unexpected would not be fibbing ...

Orrell RUFC Colts ( B ) 0 - 33 Blackburn RUFC ... An under 19's game in 1982, Orrell were a " power in the land " back then, and would hire a Coach to pick lads up for training on a Tuesday/Thursday night. I was stood behind one of their lads at the bar, whose Dad asked him, " How'd you get on ? ", " They battered us all over the park !! ", His Dad replied, " We're playing them again in January, we'll send the " A " team " ... " We stuffed them 21-9, and for some strange reason, I scored two tries " ....

[HagridsHut]

I once scored a screamer of a goal, on the volley, way outside the box, curled into the top corner. Was an own goal but we’ll forget that!

[Inchy]

Is it just me or are there one or two claims on here that sound like complete BS?

Can you quote any? I can’t see anything too outrageous.

It’s not like those old blokes you meet in Wetherspoons. The type that are there at 10am and they want to talk to anyone. Usually get on to the subject of how there were on Liverpools books or were British junior boxing champion.

Also in Burnley every other bloke seems to have a cousin who is a kick-boxing champion. There must be a lot of kick boxing belts

[Grimsdale]

My sporting achievements began and ended when I was awarded one of these at school:



Anyone who remembers will tell you that three stars = bang average.

[Suratclaret]

Once faced an over off Bob Willis in the nets at Edgbaston. He bowled off about half a dozen paces - never saw one delivery and only got bat on ball once which would have been caught by the keeper. Goodness knows what it must have been like facing him of his full run up.

[Trampslike]

Professional footballer. Marathon best - 2.49, half marathon - 1.16.

[davideyresleftear]

A top ten finish in the inter-school cross country final race at Towneley

[get stuck in tracy]

I Dont want to blow my own trumpet too much but I hold the world high jump record in pole vault . I got a bronze medal in a three horse race.

[ThaiClaret]

World Record ( Guinness Book of Records) 100 x 1 mile relay
Sale Harriers circa 1976
I ran 4.36 which was nothing special but reflected my limited ability.
It was good fun

[ClaretTony]

Professional footballer. Marathon best - 2.49, half marathon - 1.16.

A professional footballer on the message board. And despite fidelcastro’s claims, I don’t believe this one is bs.

[ThaiClaret]

Breaking 2 minutes for 800m really was satisfying taking a lot of hard work to get to that level.

[Chobulous]

Beating Alex Higgins in 1974 at Rosegrove Unity

[KRBFC]

Professional footballer.

Go on, give us a few clues.

[ClaretPete001]

Winning a Mars Bar for being sportsman of the evening Burnley Boys Club. My brother won the same award on a different evening - missed it and the Mars bar gave him a black eye. The person who ran it. Jack used to whizz it across the room to a line of boys who were expected to leap salmon like and catch the Mars Bar but my brother being my brother did a two arm swipe worthy of the England Cricket Team and copped it straight in the eye.

Winning a junior putting competition in Queens Park circa a long time ago.

No doubt someone will regard these remarkable sporting achievements as BS but I have a framed black and white photograph of the latter and living witnesses to the former.

[Lowbankclaret]

1980-1981, inter schools basketball. BRGS. Won the league and knock out tournament without us losing a single game.
Jumped 1,73 at high jump in 1981, went to the north west schools trials, came third. Could not repeat the 1,73. Would have won if I could have. Think I did 1,62 on the day. It was raining, which hampered me.
Only Motorcross race I was leading , bike broke down on the last lap, last corner. Piece of dirt got in the main jet. Kicked several dents in the fuel tank.
Came third in a sand race at Southport.

Funny story based on high jump achievement, few years after got my collar felt by the old bill. My best mates dad was a Sargent at Rawtenstall. I was poaching (lamping) with my lurcher. Came off a field onto a road when suddenly some lights come on and a police car starts to come towards us. I let the dog go and the dog jumped a steel field gate. I hurdled it without touching it. my friends dad sent the police to my house under the intelligence of I was probably the only person in Rossendale capable of hurdling a five bar gate. Had some good banter with them , without admitting it was me, they were convinced they had me cornered.

[Nori1958]

A professional footballer on the message board. And despite fidelcastro’s claims, I don’t believe this one is bs.

There two other on here I know

[fidelcastro]

Can you quote any? I can’t see anything too outrageous.

It’s not like those old blokes you meet in Wetherspoons. The type that are there at 10am and they want to talk to anyone. Usually get on to the subject of how there were on Liverpools books or were British junior boxing champion.

Also in Burnley every other bloke seems to have a cousin who is a kick-boxing champion. There must be a lot of kick boxing belts

Yeah, I've met those types too, but I think you're being rather naive if you believe everyone on here is being genuine.

I've no idea who the professional footballer is either. They must be or must have once been a great athlete though if their marathon times are accurate

[LDNBFC87]

2 x School Boys county champion at golf

[expoultryboy]

Played football for junior clarets until my mum made me go for 6 weeks rehearsals on the same night for : a scout gang show !! Worst of all , it was held in Blackburn.

[ClaretTony]

Yeah, I've met those types too, but I think you're being rather naive if you believe everyone on here is being genuine.

I've no idea who the professional footballer is either. They must be or must have once been a great athlete though if their marathon times are accurate

Very much accurate

[helmclaret]

International footballer and on FIFA 2014 World Cup edition as a player.

[Big Vinny K]

Yeah, I've met those types too, but I think you're being rather naive if you believe everyone on here is being genuine.

I've no idea who the professional footballer is either. They must be or must have once been a great athlete though if their marathon times are accurate

Not really - I know 2 people who have had similar times in the marathon. Very good runners they are but neither were great athletes as such. Neither were pro footballers either.

[gtclaret]

Being taken to a charity game of ex pros Man Utd v Man City by Stan Ogden,I was about 5 yrs old.More recently,I completed a half marathon,which for a 66 yr old first timer with a dodgy knee (sorry about the medical terminology)I think is quite an achievement