Our Next Event……
The 2012 Spring Dinner
Thursday, 19th April 2012
Speakers: Ben Kay MBE & John Stiles
Tickets: £55 + VAT each
Subsequent Events in 2012
Autumn Dinner – Thursday, 4th October 2012
Speaker Profiles
Ben Kay MBE
A graduate in Sports Science from Loughborough University, Ben was born in Liverpool, the son of Lord Justice of Appeal Sir John Kay and first played rugby for his school, Merchant Taylors’, Crosby and then the Waterloo Club. He also represented England in the 1996 Students World Cup in South Africa, and also in the U18, U 19 and U21 England Teams.
Ben’s career in the game really matured after rugby union became a professional sport when, in 1999, he joined Leicester Tigers and took the opportunity to develop his game alongside the Club’s regular second row duo, Martin Johnson and South African Fritz van Heerden, to become a highly-rated middle of the lineout jumper. Following two games for England A against France, the second as Captain in 2000/01, Ben toured North America and Japan with the senior England squad later in 2001 and made his debut against Canada. He helped the Tigers to victory in the Heineken Cup in 2001 and 2002, by which time he had become a fixture in the England Team…..
Ben’s selection for England’s 2003 World Cup was inevitable and he played in every minute of every game except that against Uruguay. Despite his well-documented knock-on with the try line at his mercy, in the Final against Australia, England still secured a famous victory in injury time. After winning two Test Caps for the British Lions in New Zealand in 2005, Ben was the only player to play every minute of England’s 2007 World Cup campaign in France, culminating in the narrow loss against South Africa in the Final.
After further glory in the Heineken Cup, back-to-back victories in the Guinness Premiership, a grand total of 62 caps for England and an 11-year career at Leicester Tigers, Ben retired from the game in 2010 and has since developed a new career as a commentator with the TV Channel ESPN along with a fine reputation as an after-dinner 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.