BEN’S BLOG: ‘Camaraderie in the betting-ring’

[dropcap]O[/dropcap]ne of the nicest things, about making a book, at the races, is the camaraderie between bookmakers.

I have so many happy memories, of dinners after racing, with people, that really do become great friends.

Tonight, I went out with Mick Crombie (who bets under the name of ‘Michael Star’) and his wife Mari, and daughter; Shelley.

When I was in my early twenties, I opened my first betting-shop, in Sutton Common Road. It was a tragic experience, as the crooked Staff, slowly but surely, ate me alive.

Thankfully, Mick was on hand, to help sort me out, and properly show me the ropes. Since then, we’ve been close friends, and still seek each other’s counsel, to this day.

Mick knows the game backwards, but his best quality, is certainly his loyalty.

THANK YOU, MICK.

In other news:

Sorrento, 29 Three Tuns Lane, Formby, Liverpool, L37 4AQ. (WEB SITE CLICK HERE) Great atmosphere, with fantastic Staff, who really played their parts, making the whole event almost like going to the theatre. Everybody seemed to be enjoying themselves. The food was pretty good through the card. And Formby, looked to me, to be a very nice village. One to add to the list, if you’re in the area. About £40 a head. 6.5.

Over and out, B x