Ian Wooldridge 1932-2007

[Vagabond]

Please raise a glass to the memory of a great sports writer this evening.

 

Those with long enough memories may recollect Ian as the commentator for the very first (and still the best) presentation of "The Fishing Race" featuring Jim Gibbinson, the late Ian Gillespie, Clive Gammon, etc etc.

 

He made a splendid job of it, raised the profile of angling quite a lot at that time.

 

Ian Wooldridge had a immense love of what used to be called the "Corinthian Spirit", coupled with contempt for the "empty blazers" and other pretentious hangers-on in sport, a great writing style, and a wonderful turn of phrase. Who else could describe dart-players' WAGS as "Viragos on springs" ?

 

The world of sport was enriched by his life, and the poorer for his passing.

 

Fill your glass, and be upstanding please.

[Tony U]

Vagabond

Ian Woolridge was always a doyen amongst sportswriters, I am very sad to hear of his passing, of the current generation I like Mathew Barnes and Frank Keating, though Nicky Campbell's column in the Guardian is always quite amusing.

Does anyone know what Clive Gammon is up to these days? He was always one of my favourite angling writers.

Edited March 6, 2007 by Tony U

[hembo]

i seem to remember he did a documentry on the royal naval guncrew down at gosport(my dad was stationed there,att the same time)what a laugh.he had a wonderful dry sense of humour.

i also remember the fishing race and the golden maggot,essential vieving for me and my brothers.

[poledark]

Not wanting to seem churlish, but having been a "victim" of Ian Wooldridges banal commentating on a subject he knew absolutely nothing about, did not witness (commentary added later) and taking advantage of the participants not being shown a transcript of his words before screening, then I for one will not miss him.

 

In case some of you are wondering, I also starred in The Fishing Race.

 

Den

Edited March 6, 2007 by poledark