Our October members’ meeting saw 158 members attend including another new member. Barbara started the meeting by making her announcements about upcoming outings and events. One of her announcements was about the Christmas lunch and on display was the menu. We will have two courses, keeping the cost down at £25 for members and £27.50 for non-members. Barbara asked for payments by our November meeting.
Barbara was pleased to announce that Sandy Sip a restaurant, cocktail & wine bar on Princes Avenue has offered the Senior Tigers a 15% discount on the production of our membership cards. Sandy Sip kindly donated a prize for our September raffle.
To finish, Barbara, on behalf of Ernie, thanked those members who are going to the Derby away match for their prompt payments.
At this month’s meeting, KCOM had a Help Desk manned by two Customer Services Champions. Members took advantage of this facility before the meeting started and during the interval. Some even stayed after the meeting had finished to seek help and advice. The Help Desk was a success and was busy most of the time.
Our guest speaker this month was local boy and club captain, Lewie Coyle. As Lewie had to leave early to return to training, he was presented with the Senior Tigers Club 2023/24 Player of the Season award before the interview started. Pat Betts made the presentation.
Hung up behind Lewie on the stage was a selection of his football shirts. He told us that since his father’s death, he has had his father’s name printed inside all his shirts, which gives him a feeling that he is with him when playing. Lewie went on to talk about his time playing for Hull City and how incredible it is to play in front of the large crowds we are getting at the moment. He said how the large crowds helped the team and that for him it was an honour coming out to a full stadium, especially wearing the captain’s armband. It means the world to him and said it is a pinch-yourself moment.
Richard congratulated Lewie on playing his 150th game for Hull City which coincided with the club’s
120-year celebrations. Lewie told us the team had presented him with a framed signed football shirt in recognition of his achievement. Lewie went on to say what an honour it had been to take part in the football club’s 120-year celebrations photo-shot at the Hull Guildhall joining other legends from the club and said how he was going to have his commemorative shirt framed.
One of the questions raised by a member was asked by Richard of Lewie ‘What do you think about having VAR in the Championship?’ His response was, that he doesn’t agree with it as he is old school. The same as he said about playing at varying times, he is a traditionalist and thinks games should be played at 3 pm on a Saturday and have mid-week evening games.
He told us how at the moment he felt the fittest he had ever done in his career. He went on to praise his father for insisting that he use his weak foot as a young player and this has meant he can now play anywhere on the pitch. Alternating between left back and right back. Richard said Lewie gets more injuries than his brother Tommy did when boxing. This remark made us all laugh. Lewie said how it had been special when his younger brother Rocco came on during a match last season and to be in the same first team, coming out onto the pitch together and being in the same pre-match photo would be great.
Away from football Lewie likes to play golf and credited his brother Joe who is a professional golfer for his playing off scratch. Lewie then talked about his football academy which he set up in March. The academy gives kids space not just to play football but for them to grow as people, make friendships, improve their lives and become a better person.
Pat gave her usual vote of thanks to Lewie and said how proud we are to have a local boy as our captain. Allen thanked those who had written down questions for Lewie before the meeting. Richard combined these into his interview as Lewie had to leave earlier than anticipated.
Following the interview, we had our teas and coffees which was followed by the raffle draw. The raffle raised £326.50.
Before we left for home Barbara was pleased to announce that Roy Bly who is one of our members and the son of the legendary Billy Bly, was invited to the football club’s 120-year celebrations when he was handed a commemorative shirt and a letter from the football club thanking his father for his many appearances for Hull City.
Another enjoyable afternoon was had by all.
Shirley Cormack
Player of the Season Trophy 23/24 Pat Betts presenting the trophy to Lewie
Richard interviewing Lewie Vote of thanks from Pat
