Your biggest sporting achievements?

Big Vinny K · Post by **Big Vinny K** » Mon Jun 19, 2023 7:59 pm

Back to the OP I’ve played and won in a lot of football finals as a kid / teenager and as an adult. Think the best achievement personally was winning the Coldstream Cup with St Teds at under 15 level and scoring one and making the other 2 goals in the final. Most memorable part of that final was my dad being there to see it and saying to me after he didn’t realise I was that good. This was back in the day when hardly any parents came to watch - we only had 2 of the teams dads who used to come and watch us every week but most of the parents came for the finals. We won the Keighley cup that year too and got to finals of Lancashire cup but I enjoyed that particular evening at Gawthorpe the most.

My other favourite sporting achievement came in a corporate golf day we attend every year at Formby Hall. Our team is usually last or second last. A few years ago we incredibly won it with 85 points. I also came joint first in the individual (but second as the other guy got more points on the back 9). I won 2 golf bags that night. It was a free bar and as we did every year we went out in Southport and got leathered. That night we could not stop laughing that we had won !!!

Inchy · Post by **Inchy** » Mon Jun 19, 2023 10:11 pm

fidelcastro wrote: ↑
Mon Jun 19, 2023 6:26 pm
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

Hardly unbelievable. I can run a marathon in that time and I drink and smoke a vape

ClaretCliff · Post by **ClaretCliff** » Mon Jun 19, 2023 10:33 pm

Biggest achievement was getting my length swimming certificate, swimming one handed. I couldn’t find my swimming trunks on the day so borrowed my brothers who would have been twice my age and probably twice my size. I had to use my left hand to hold up my trunks.

Andreshotboots · Post by **Andreshotboots** » Mon Jun 19, 2023 11:18 pm

Always wanted to be a Professional cricketer and play first class cricket. .managed that.

Next ambition was to play off scratch at golf, currently 1.3 so not far to go

WazzaClaret · Post by **WazzaClaret** » Mon Jun 19, 2023 11:36 pm

7 darter at round the board, averaged 100.4 in a leg of 501. Considering I'm pretty crap I'm happy with them both.

IB52 · Post by **IB52** » Mon Jun 19, 2023 11:44 pm

Facing Colin Croft in a friendly whilst playing for Pinderfields hospital team. I don’t remember seeing the ball!

Darnhill Claret · Post by **Darnhill Claret** » Mon Jun 19, 2023 11:58 pm

Swimming was my weakest sport. Didn't get my length certificate until I was 14, but got my bronze medallion at 16 . All things considered that was probably my biggest sporting achievement.

fidelcastro · Post by **fidelcastro** » Tue Jun 20, 2023 12:21 am

Inchy wrote: ↑
Mon Jun 19, 2023 10:11 pm
Hardly unbelievable. I can run a marathon in that time and I drink and smoke a vape

I rest my case, your honour.

ThaiClaret · Post by **ThaiClaret** » Wed Jun 21, 2023 3:39 pm

Know what its like to be told you will never achieve something ie. you aren't good enough ?
It can be highly motivating.
It can also be that the person making the comment knows what he is talking about.

Back in the day I ran in a race set up to get club ( Sale Harriers) member Tony Settle the Olympic 800m qualifying time.
He had finished in the first two in the qualifying race but needed the qualifying time which ,as you might expect , is brutal.
I was trying to beat 2 minutes.
Tony didn't get the time that evening and never went to the Olympics.
I was given the time of 2.00.00.
One hundredth of a second short.

John Davies , who was a high quality 800m international (( best 1.46.7 ) told me I would never beat 2 minutes.

The bugger.

Next race I ran 1.58.8 and sought him out to tell him so.
He just shrugged his shoulders.
Didn't even say well done.

The bugger.

Satisfying ?

Yes , very.

Longsidelenny1882 · Post by **Longsidelenny1882** » Wed Jun 21, 2023 3:57 pm

Once played darts in the pub first two darts both hit double 20 then with last dart I hit a nun on the side off her face who was in the pub collecting for charity unfortunately she passed away later in the night so I scored 1 nun dead and eighty utc

NickBFC · Post by **NickBFC** » Wed Jun 21, 2023 4:49 pm

Playing at step 4 in non league football pyramid is about the best it got before ankle injuries took hold! Was fairly decent at downhill mountain biking back in the day before I realised how daft it was (few too many times spent in A&E!).

thehistorylecturer61 · Post by **thehistorylecturer61** » Wed Jun 21, 2023 6:31 pm

Sport or game is an argument that runs and runs with some pastimes …

I play old rules Subbuteo , using only genuine equipment made by Subbuteo, which I’m actually pretty good at and I’ve got a few trophies from events around the UK to back that statement up … others mainly modern rules players often play as teams , use modern table football equipment ,and talk about it as a sport .. not for me I like to play after a pint and a cigar.

eastanglianclaret · Post by **eastanglianclaret** » Wed Jun 21, 2023 6:36 pm

Scored a goal against Alan Stevenson on the beach at Squires Gate when I was 9 years old.

Dark Cloud · Post by **Dark Cloud** » Wed Jun 21, 2023 6:57 pm

Opened the batting and was 45 not out when the team were all out for 54 including 4 extras.

Darnhill Claret · Post by **Darnhill Claret** » Thu Jun 22, 2023 10:58 am

Longsidelenny, your maths is funnier than the joke. Maybe a treble 20 and a single 20 does it better.

Longsidelenny1882 · Post by **Longsidelenny1882** » Thu Jun 22, 2023 12:02 pm

It’s not a joke true story utc

Sutton-Claret · Post by **Sutton-Claret** » Thu Jun 22, 2023 12:22 pm

Clearing the table from the break against the best player of the pub league I played in 25 years ago...... that was his only loss of the season.

Tribesmen · Post by **Tribesmen** » Thu Jun 22, 2023 12:47 pm

Hummmm well got a 4th Division medal in Burnley something or other league at Football .
Walked / hiked to a couple of base camps in Nepal .
But my all time winner has to be that i won a apple pie eating comp in Vancouver , hey i only entered it as i was a skint backpacker and it was a good idea for a free meal . Got a 20 dollar voucher at some diner , pies baby watch out ................

dougcollins · Post by **dougcollins** » Thu Jun 22, 2023 1:07 pm

Tribesmen wrote: ↑
Thu Jun 22, 2023 12:47 pm
Hummmm well got a 4th Division medal in Burnley something or other league at Football .
Walked / hiked to a couple of base camps in Nepal .
But my all time winner has to be that i won a apple pie eating comp in Vancouver , hey i only entered it as i was a skint backpacker and it was a good idea for a free meal . Got a 20 dollar voucher at some diner , pies baby watch out ................

I did one of those, in Wales. 'He Man' grill or something. I went with two mates and had no idea where we were going - they were both RU number eights, one an under 21 international for Wales. I was 9 stone wet through.

So we got to this pub and I was the only one who finished the grill, thereby getting a free meal. They didn't speak to me on the way home.

Im_not_Robbie_Blake · Post by **Im_not_Robbie_Blake** » Thu Jun 22, 2023 3:24 pm

I was 1984 World Welly-throwing Champion, and also came 3rd in Work Brick- throwing Championship. Beat that!!

JohnMac · Post by **JohnMac** » Fri Jun 23, 2023 8:40 am

Im_not_Robbie_Blake wrote: ↑
Thu Jun 22, 2023 3:24 pm
I was 1984 World Welly-throwing Champion, and also came 3rd in Work Brick- throwing Championship. Beat that!!

Two people obviously did!

Sausage · Post by **Sausage** » Fri Jun 23, 2023 5:35 pm

Made it to the second round of the UK Subbuteo Championship in 1986. Got knocked out with four seconds of extra time left on the clock. Still hurts. but I made the later edition of the Manchester Evening News, photographed with Denis Law, for the official 'flick-off'.

Inchy · Post by **Inchy** » Sat Jun 24, 2023 3:54 pm

I won the Wharfedale 3 peaks challenge this morning and broke the course record

Fidelcastro will think I’m lying though

yTib · Post by **yTib** » Sat Jun 24, 2023 3:57 pm

ten metres breaststroke in the baby pool at the tommy centre. and i cheated. swimming was never my strong point.

but seriously, how warm was that pool?

jdrobbo · Post by **jdrobbo** » Sat Jun 24, 2023 4:02 pm

Inchy wrote: ↑
Sat Jun 24, 2023 3:54 pm
I won the Wharfedale 3 peaks challenge this morning and broke the course record

Fidelcastro will think I’m lying though

Well you’re not. It’s a brilliant achievement. I think I’ve become a half-decent runner in the last few years since I was a tubber, but you’d blow me away. Congratulations, James

Ps…which peak did you find most difficult?

RMutt · Post by **RMutt** » Sat Jun 24, 2023 4:07 pm

Well done Inchy. Great run.

Hanoverusaclaret · Post by **Hanoverusaclaret** » Sat Jun 24, 2023 4:42 pm

Scoring for my youth team against Blackburn Rovers' Under 16 team will always be the zenith of my underwhelming football "career".

Our 1-1 draw saw them drop their only points of the season. Quite why they had a team in the local league will always be a mystery. Before Jack Walker's money, I guess.

Inchy · Post by **Inchy** » Sat Jun 24, 2023 4:57 pm

jdrobbo wrote: ↑
Sat Jun 24, 2023 4:02 pm
Well you’re not. It’s a brilliant achievement. I think I’ve become a half-decent runner in the last few years since I was a tubber, but you’d blow me away. Congratulations, James

Ps…which peak did you find most difficult?

The first one because I drank 6 ipas and half a bottle of wine last night

I’m good at the climbs so I don’t mind the up hills, it’s where I gain most time. Not the best on the flat and descents though so have to make the most of the climbs. Put a real shift up Buckden pike which get me well in front

MT03ALG · Post by **MT03ALG** » Sat Jun 24, 2023 5:56 pm

I won the German Cup in 1974

Claret Till I Die · Post by **Claret Till I Die** » Sat Jun 24, 2023 6:07 pm

thehistorylecturer61 wrote: ↑
Wed Jun 21, 2023 6:31 pm
Sport or game is an argument that runs and runs with some pastimes …

I play old rules Subbuteo , using only genuine equipment made by Subbuteo, which I’m actually pretty good at and I’ve got a few trophies from events around the UK to back that statement up … others mainly modern rules players often play as teams , use modern table football equipment ,and talk about it as a sport .. not for me I like to play after a pint and a cigar.

Aren't you better off playing with your fingers ?

thehistorylecturer61 · Post by **thehistorylecturer61** » Sat Jun 24, 2023 6:17 pm

Claret Till I Die wrote: ↑
Sat Jun 24, 2023 6:07 pm
Aren't you better off playing with your fingers ?

Aye .. magic touch

ElectroClaret · Post by **ElectroClaret** » Sat Jun 24, 2023 10:20 pm

I played for Clitheroe reserves when Adam Blacklaw was manager.
Only in the Blackb**n Prem, but it was a cracking league back in 1977, clubs like Witton Albion and Griffin Celtic were really good.

Eventually gave it up and succumbed to the demon drink.

Paul Waine · Post by **Paul Waine** » Sun Jun 25, 2023 3:59 pm

I reckon my biggest sporting achievement, to date, Friday 23rd June 2023. The multi-age walking football team I helped set up earlier in the year played in the Surrey FA League Cup: 10 teams, split into 2 leagues of 5 teams, every team plays 4 x 15 minute games. Our regular goalkeeper was away on holiday so I went in goal. We won our first game, 2-1. Second game was against the top team, not just favourite to win the multi-age Cup, they'd already won the 60s age group earlier in the week, were national champions last season and one of their over 70s age group is an England WF international. We lost that game 0-3. Third game we lost 0-2. The final game I got my first clean sheet and drew 0-0.

So, what is the achievement? I gave up playing football over 7 years ago after suffering a heart attack while playing 5-a-side (not walking football). I didn't kick a ball again for over 5 years. Then I heard that there were some old guys playing walking football organised by Age UK. I started off not knowing the rules: 3 touch and no overhead height is easy. But, no running - how do you tell what is running and what is walking? It's taken me a long time to work that out. Plus no tackling from behind, no tackling from the side and no contact with your opponent if you tackle from the front. That's tough to learn. I got an injury that stopped me playing for 6 months - yes, someone kicked my leg and old legs don't heal as quickly as young legs do.

I'm 70 later this year. I'm looking to see where I can go with this new game. Just really enjoying being involved and seeing how long I can keep playing. In addition to the Age UK sessions, I'm now also involved with Chelsea Community Foundation walking football sessions. The top Chelsea WF team played in a tournament in Newcastle a few weeks back. There was also a team from Burnley FC in the tournament.

HB Claret · Post by **HB Claret** » Sun Jun 25, 2023 9:38 pm

I’ve played a lot of sport throughout my life and was generally pretty competitive at most of the ones I played. I once scored all 5 goals for my hockey team in a 5 : 0 win. At school in a 7 a side cricket match I was involved in all 6 wickets - I bowled 3 out, caught two and ran the last man out. I also once bowled 16 strikes in a row at 10 pin bowling but sadly they were the last 5 frames of one game (7 strikes) and the first 3 of the next game. Badminton was probably my best sport and me and my men’s partner went 4 seasons unbeaten in league matches.

CharlieinNewMexico · Post by **CharlieinNewMexico** » Mon Jun 26, 2023 3:27 am

Saving a penalty in the Barking & District Sunday League Cup Final played at Barking FC in front of about 300? (2 east end pub teams got their customers out to support). And what a save it was. Hit hard, flew up to the left and got a strong hand to it

LS7 · Post by **LS7** » Tue Jun 27, 2023 9:18 am

Very few sporting achievements but a birdie on the road hole (17th) at St.Andrews stands out

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Tue Jun 27, 2023 9:55 am

My first cruise was on an old Holland America ship, Ryndam. They played a game called Tossbag. They had a stand with a hole in it and you tossed bean bags from afar, to get them in the hole.

My son in law and I had a few throws, one evening and decided we would play in the tournament, the next day, as it was the last full day.

We turned up and there was a few mins to practice. One chap, known to all the others, seemed to be scoring well. Anyway we did the tournament and true enough, he was winning easily. I scraped through to the final with him.

The ships games co-ordinator called us both forward and he got lots of cheers, obviously a popular chap.

Away we tossed and everything he scored, I was matching. He suddenly got a bit rattled and threw a couple of loose ones. I carried on and went ahead. Then he responded but not well enough and to the amazement of the quite large crowd, I was declared the winner. I got a badge, I think!

Anyway, when everyone had dispersed, he came up to me and said, in a very dejected voice, "Well done. I have been unbeaten all week, until the final today". I just said well played. It was close.

So I must have beaten the unbeatable Tossbagger!

Which makes me the top Tossbag you can ever meet!

TomSmith xe/xem/xyr · Post by **TomSmith xe/xem/xyr** » Tue Jun 27, 2023 10:59 am

Winning the school sports day sack race. I was in the wrong category too.

Rick_Muller · Post by **Rick_Muller** » Tue Jun 27, 2023 11:44 am

TomSmith xe/xem/xyr wrote: ↑
Tue Jun 27, 2023 10:59 am
Winning the school sports day sack race. I was in the wrong category too.

reminded me of someone I went to school with...

https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/new ... ld-record/

Tricky Trevor · Post by **Tricky Trevor** » Tue Jun 27, 2023 12:58 pm

I was a decent schoolboy athlete. Sub 2m 800m and sub 4m 1500m. At our presentation Derek Ibbotson was doing the honours. Being a former mile world record holder he’d looked at the times for the mile and opened up by saying my wife can beat that. Now I realise he was just getting a cheap laugh to get the crowd onside but at the time I was fuming. Being a school sports day I had run to win and not to set a time, other events to follow.
2 weeks later I ran a track 5k at Cleckheaton. There were only 3 youths running so we ran with the seniors and I came in third. Being Dereks local track he was there again. I had the pleasure of asking him if his wife could beat that time.

I ran a sub 3hr marathon at Selby on the day that cheating little sh1te Maradona punched the ball past Shilton.

Peebs89 · Post by **Peebs89** » Tue Jun 27, 2023 1:25 pm

Picked up running in my mid 20s. Finished the London Marathon in 2:39 this year and the Liverpool Half in 72 mins a few weeks before. I've won and finished top-three in quite a few races now from 5k to half marathon. Running sub-16 in the 5k is probably my best achievement so far.

pushpinpussy · Post by **pushpinpussy** » Tue Jun 27, 2023 3:57 pm

I played cricket with Jonathan Batty whilst at Oxford University. I think he went on to captain Surrey. I was also 12th man in The University Match at Lords which ended in a draw. Not sure that counts but my parents were still proud.

troubleatmexico · Post by **troubleatmexico** » Tue Jun 27, 2023 3:59 pm

Played international cricket and won an ICC tournament back in 2008. Happy days.

Elbarad · Post by **Elbarad** » Tue Jun 27, 2023 4:08 pm

IanMcL wrote: ↑
Tue Jun 27, 2023 9:55 am
My first cruise was on an old Holland America ship, Ryndam. They played a game called Tossbag. They had a stand with a hole in it and you tossed bean bags from afar, to get them in the hole.

My son in law and I had a few throws, one evening and decided we would play in the tournament, the next day, as it was the last full day.

We turned up and there was a few mins to practice. One chap, known to all the others, seemed to be scoring well. Anyway we did the tournament and true enough, he was winning easily. I scraped through to the final with him.

The ships games co-ordinator called us both forward and he got lots of cheers, obviously a popular chap.

Away we tossed and everything he scored, I was matching. He suddenly got a bit rattled and threw a couple of loose ones. I carried on and went ahead. Then he responded but not well enough and to the amazement of the quite large crowd, I was declared the winner. I got a badge, I think!

Anyway, when everyone had dispersed, he came up to me and said, in a very dejected voice, "Well done. I have been unbeaten all week, until the final today". I just said well played. It was close.

So I must have beaten the unbeatable Tossbagger!

Which makes me the top Tossbag you can ever meet!

That game is commonly known as Cornhole in the US, so I guess your win made you the top Cornholer on the cruise!

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Tue Jun 27, 2023 7:09 pm

Not heard that vefore, Elbarad, so thanks for imparting the knowledge.

fatboy47 · Post by **fatboy47** » Wed Jun 28, 2023 8:02 am

Old friend of mine, Whitewellbottom lad and a Claret to boot, dismissed Rawtenstall pro and folk hero John Grant with his very first ball in Lancashire League cricket whilst playing for local rivals Bacup.

Nobbut a young lad at the time.

That was pretty cool I thought.