Piece for the Bristol Evening Post's Green 'Un sport supplement.
Ian Holloway, the former Bristol Rovers’ player/manager and notorious post-match entertainer who had three spells at the club, is coming back to Bristol.
Holloway is taking time out as manager of Leicester City to attend a charity quiz organised by current Rovers’ goalkeeper Steve Phillips. The shot stopper has organised the quiz to raise money for cancer-sufferer Mike Lewis and Holloway has agreed to be the guest of honour.
The Rovers’ legend made more than 450 appearances as a player and managed Rovers in more than 250 matches in a total of 13 years at the club. During a break in the evening he will talk about his career and field questions from the audience on his life so far, including no doubt a number of his infamous quotes.
Mr Lewis, a former commercial manager at Rovers from their Eastville days, and his son helped Phillips raise almost £10,000 last year for SANDS, the Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Society, and Jamie Cooper, a soldier injured in on while serving in Iraq.
Phillips said: “Without their efforts, the sum raised would have been far less. We raised in excess of £3,000 at a quiz night, and that was all down to their hard work. All I did was turn up with some members of our first-team squad.
“Mike is now suffering from cancer and has already been undergoing chemotherapy, and faces a major operation in the near future.
“He’s likely to be off work for a very long time, and I’d like to help him as much as I can because he’s a top bloke.”
Phillips is conscious there are many people suffering from cancer but believes Mike deserves special attention. He said: “What many people may be unaware of is that Mike has raised in excess of £100,000 for different charities over the last thirty years, and I think that now he needs some help, we should rally round.
“I’m sure that when he knows there are so many people willing to help him, it will aid his recovery.”
Bush and Troy from GWR will host the evening, to be held at Jury’s Hotel, Bristol, on April 2 at 7pm. “Mike Lewis and his son are compiling the questions for the quiz, though unfortunately Mike won’t be able to be there on the night because of his illness,” said Phillips. “However, his son will be there to ensure that everything runs smoothly and no doubt [Bush and Troy] will add their own brand of humour to proceedings.
“We already have some raffle prizes that have been given to us and there will be some quality sporting items in the auction, but if any individual, or company, would like to donate any other items I would love to hear from them.
“I am delighted that Ian Holloway has agreed to be with us on the evening and I hope that Bristol Rovers supporters will turn out in their numbers to support the event to raise funds for Mike Lewis.”
Mr Lewis said: “I was completely surprised when I heard about the benefit night. I am much more comfortable doing things for other people, something I have tried to do down the years for a wide variety of charities and individuals.
“I will push any negativity to the back of my mind and simply say a big thank you to Steve and Bristol Rovers FC, particularly Ian Holtby and Keith Brookman.
“I remain fully convinced that there is not a better football club in the country. I am totally humbled.”
Tickets are £10 per person (quiz teams of four) and are available from Pirate Leisure along with information on how to donate prizes.
Ian Holloway, the former Bristol Rovers’ player/manager and notorious post-match entertainer who had three spells at the club, is coming back to Bristol.
Holloway is taking time out as manager of Leicester City to attend a charity quiz organised by current Rovers’ goalkeeper Steve Phillips. The shot stopper has organised the quiz to raise money for cancer-sufferer Mike Lewis and Holloway has agreed to be the guest of honour.
The Rovers’ legend made more than 450 appearances as a player and managed Rovers in more than 250 matches in a total of 13 years at the club. During a break in the evening he will talk about his career and field questions from the audience on his life so far, including no doubt a number of his infamous quotes.
Mr Lewis, a former commercial manager at Rovers from their Eastville days, and his son helped Phillips raise almost £10,000 last year for SANDS, the Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Society, and Jamie Cooper, a soldier injured in on while serving in Iraq.
Phillips said: “Without their efforts, the sum raised would have been far less. We raised in excess of £3,000 at a quiz night, and that was all down to their hard work. All I did was turn up with some members of our first-team squad.
“Mike is now suffering from cancer and has already been undergoing chemotherapy, and faces a major operation in the near future.
“He’s likely to be off work for a very long time, and I’d like to help him as much as I can because he’s a top bloke.”
Phillips is conscious there are many people suffering from cancer but believes Mike deserves special attention. He said: “What many people may be unaware of is that Mike has raised in excess of £100,000 for different charities over the last thirty years, and I think that now he needs some help, we should rally round.
“I’m sure that when he knows there are so many people willing to help him, it will aid his recovery.”
Bush and Troy from GWR will host the evening, to be held at Jury’s Hotel, Bristol, on April 2 at 7pm. “Mike Lewis and his son are compiling the questions for the quiz, though unfortunately Mike won’t be able to be there on the night because of his illness,” said Phillips. “However, his son will be there to ensure that everything runs smoothly and no doubt [Bush and Troy] will add their own brand of humour to proceedings.
“We already have some raffle prizes that have been given to us and there will be some quality sporting items in the auction, but if any individual, or company, would like to donate any other items I would love to hear from them.
“I am delighted that Ian Holloway has agreed to be with us on the evening and I hope that Bristol Rovers supporters will turn out in their numbers to support the event to raise funds for Mike Lewis.”
Mr Lewis said: “I was completely surprised when I heard about the benefit night. I am much more comfortable doing things for other people, something I have tried to do down the years for a wide variety of charities and individuals.
“I will push any negativity to the back of my mind and simply say a big thank you to Steve and Bristol Rovers FC, particularly Ian Holtby and Keith Brookman.
“I remain fully convinced that there is not a better football club in the country. I am totally humbled.”
Tickets are £10 per person (quiz teams of four) and are available from Pirate Leisure along with information on how to donate prizes.
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