Our Next Event…..
Wednesday, 7th March 2012
Speakers: Paul Merson & John Stiles
Members Tickets: £59 + VAT each
Non Members Tickets: £79 + VAT each
Our Subsequent Events in 2012
Tuesday, 12th June 2012
Tuesday, 18th September 2012
Tuesday, 4th December 2012
Speaker Profiles
Paul Merson
A relatively ‘new kid on the block’ as far as after-dinner speaking is concerned, Paul enjoyed an impressive professional career on the football field, playing first for Arsenal, initially as an apprentice in 1984, making his 1st team debut two years later. During the 1988/89 season he was also selected for the England U21 Team and voted “Young Player of the Year” by the PFA.
After 425 appearances, Paul then enjoyed successful spells with both Middlesborough and Aston Villa, spending five years at the latter and helping the Club to the 2000 FA Cup Final, before moving to Portsmouth where he was instrumental in the Club’s promotion to the Premiership in 2002. Influenced by a wish to be nearer his home in the West Midlands, his final move was to Walsall FC, as a player and subsequently as Manager.
In a glittering rollercoaster career at the top of the game, Paul played with and against many of football’s finest and his creative and flamboyant style made him a firm favourite with the fans. These days Paul regales his audience with current or recent anecdotes whilst most footballers on the circuit tell retrospective stories. To his credit, he has genuinely confronted his demons and willingly discusses them in public. As a result, he is extremely popular and in great demand as a thoroughly entertaining speaker.
John Stiles
John will be forever saddled with the inevitable burden of being the son of a famous father. He was born two years before Nobby Stiles MBE became a national football hero as a member of England’s victorious World Cup winning Team in 1966. John is also the nephew of Leeds United and Republic of Ireland legend, Johnny Giles.
Born in Manchester, John followed his father into professional football, making over 150 appearances in the Football League for Leeds United and Doncaster Rovers over a five year period. When his career ended he started his own insurance business and later moved into the football agency industry where his experience included a spell with the management company that looked after the affairs of the Spice Girls.
John eventually began working as an after-dinner speaker and Master of Ceremonies. This career path took him into the world of comedy where he has since established himself as one of the most popular and entertaining comedians on the circuit. With his unique style and delivery, combining anecdotes with some very amusing impressions, John is very much sought after, having worked alongside most of the country’s best known sporting celebrities.