BEN’S BLOG: ‘I can’t call bets in, son’

[dropcap]W[/dropcap]hen I was a kid, I was so weird, that whilst others were watching football, I was watching… bookmakers and betting-rings; comparing each ring’s movement and aggression, and each player’s working-style.

My favourite bookmaker, was Tony Morris. THE true professional.

And Tony had a great workman. You couldn’t forget him, Blog. The one with the fuzzy, Phil Spector, hair-do; Billy Cooke. Well, a pleasure, it was, to see Billy, at yesterday’s Greyhound Racing book-launch. Quicker than all of us, at just 89 years young; laughing and joking, the centre of all attention.

As a small boy, at Wembley, on St Leger night, it was too busy, for myself, to get near Tony’s pitch. And once, when he was best price a dog, I asked Billy, who was the ‘floorman’, if he would call in a bet for me. Just a fiver on one. He looked down, and simply replied; “I can’t call bets in, son.”. If you wanted to bet with TM, you had to get in close. THE FIGHT WAS ALL PART OF THE FUN.

In other news:

Many thanks to El Niño for this recommendation…

Kiru, 2 Elystan Street, Chelsea SW3 3NS WEB SITE. You couldn’t have a bad meal here. Each dish (barring the disappointing desserts) is perfection. The decor is a bit of a letdown though. As is, the wooden floor, and lined up small tables, like a noisy pizzeria. NB The popcorn shrimp. NAP The Iberico pork. The service is up there with the best in town. But, at £195 for 2, (no booze), it really should be. 8.5

Over and out, B x