Cubone - The Gambling Historian!

With less and less Kids playing Soccer and non Playing Cricket that is if you ignore the Asians. we are doomed to fall behind, within the next decade. in both these games,
Take soccer, the Wonderful Game.
I cant ever remember not kicking a ball or a tin can, or a piece of wood around on my way to school.
The only 12 years old that you will see kicking a tin can around the street will be the ones that had just emptied the contents, Fosters in one swig..
But the best moment of all was on a friday night after mother had washed and ironed two weekend strips, the school. of Blue and White this was always pristine and starched, the smell I will never forget that smell. , wonderful.
I had spent hours on my studs, cleaned my Macgreggor Boots, the toe cap that I could once see my face in had worn dull.
Vaseline was then rubbed all over, Gone with the Wind divided from page 208 would be my Padds on the left leg,the right was the remaining pages. of the Book.
Every July the printed dates of the years games would be given out and one look would tell us when the hard games would take place. not unknown to play 4 games over a week end, always twice on a Saturday once for the school and then, my local sports-club,
The nearest I came to stardom was whilst trialing for Birmingham Boys there were two at out school in the trial me and Bernard Jones a great half knack.
I had a shocker of a game, and when the heading on the back page of the Birmingham Pink. stated Cubone in the Birmingham Boys game against Derby. County Boys, when I saw the name at right half, I knew it was a mistake and Jones was in. and not me, still my mother kept the cutting for years until it crumpled, into powder, God Bless her. dreams are hard to come by she once said.
One of the saddest days was when although I was 3 years younger than my Brother, the team was printed, although the sir name Butler as expected on the right wing however a closer examination confirmed that my speed had won me a position on the wing in place of our Kid,
The tears that ran down his face I never forgot so that I decided to move to a different club rather than out shoot him again.
The bottom of our house in farm, fields, there was the local Pub pitch they were to idle to take the nets down, after there games, this was like mecca very few of the School matches, had goal posts with nets, I hated to score goals, were the Ball shot straight on into the next field it never was the same as a bulging net.
During my 3 years in the air-force instead of chasing The Red Baron Manfred Von Richthofen all over the sky’s of Kent. I missed by 10 years, so it was my privalige to be the Stafford Shove Halfpenny Champion for the whole time I was serving queen and country.
not much chance of being mentioned in dispatches, unless the time I missed being caught for weeing up. the church gates, whilst doing my paper round,I was taken shirt in the 6 inch snow, I must have carried on for 100 yards because the wee print was still there when I had gone home finished my breakfast and walking back to school.
As soon as I arrived at the Royal Air Force Gate at Stafford 16 Maintenance Unit, and looked at the Spitfire guarding the enterance I though I was going to be a British Hero.
In front of the CO I could tell all he wanted was to have the best soccer team, in the Royal Air Force.
This was the time of Conscription, every body had to do there 24 months. the fear was being over run, by the Russians. to counter this they had a secret mission unlike being in the Special Branch with special tricks it was clear that the skill required was two fold, Shove Halfpenny a must Soccer a necessity.
After a while I realized that the CO. wanted a spic and span, outfit with all the desks, in the office block cleaned to perfection and to make sure he allowed us to play Shove Halfpenny, on the table tops, no player would allow his table that resembled Wembley to be sticky so it was polished like the toe of our boots.
Once it was seen that I could sprint, I was invited to a trial mid week.
I had become very pally with some of the Scots many of them were professional players in the Scottish divisions, they also had to do the 24 months, so when they played in the units team, they treated the games with disdain, they certainly wasn’t going to a, injure themselves, chasing some farm yard, Yo-cal playing in the mid week division, of the Birmingham league.
So the first day I played in the first team at Castle Bromwich, I was allowed to score a hat-trick, by the great players running the opponents ragged before sliding the ball to me to poke it in to an empty net.
My half way through the season I was top goal scorer in the whole division.
Once out of the RAF, it was party time what with the Beatles playing in my local night club every weekend the “Cedar” it wasn’t long before we talked the owner Eddie Futerell. into creating a soccer team. to carry the name into the West Midlands Sunday League.
This was a diferent Ball game, the night club was full of Pro,s Blue Noses and Aston Villa Players. players like Kenny Leake, would turn up and play the odd game, Jackie Lane of Derby County and Birmingham City, was a giant of a man, Born in Birminghams Selly Oak, with a throw in longer than the Stoke player of today.
Jackie was the very first player to wear contact lenses.
It was whilst playing for Notts County in the FA Cup. he took a penalty never a touch player he would blast the ball and many time I have actually seen the goalkeeper dive well before the ball was struck, right into the corner of the net out of harmes way.
This particular game the ball traveled so far they say it landed in the Nottingham Forest ground.
On the Monday the manager. demanded that Jackie had an eye test,
He sat there for a while before declaring N.
The optician started again,
Mr Lane the first letter of the third line please. dont tell me you cant see the A on top.
It was clear that he was finished unless he could take to Contact Lenses, that at the time they were as thick as a side plate
They still won the game and in the 2nd round they were pitted against another first division team,
The apposing center half, had read in the paper about Jacks eye site and it didn’t take long before Lain was butted in the back this caused the Contacts to fly into the winter mud and to be trodden on by all the opponents defenders including the goal keeper the game was held up for 10 minutes whilst the glass,s were found however they never did, find them, and Jackie’s First class, carrear was over.
I will add a comment that jJckie who was rather argumentative, at the best of times, walked into Birmingham cites practice, ground the Monday after they had been beaten, by Manchester City and there Reeves plan and called all the players cheats. hed had played all that season but was injured in the Semi Final.
When he played for us at the Cedar, he could score goals from the kick off, as long as you pointed him in the right direction.
Other great player that played alongside us in the Cedar team was Terrie Hennersy and Green, who was purchased from Everton. but when Birmingham bought Alex Harley from Manchester City, for a very large fee, they must have known what they were doing, Manchester that is, because Alex couldn’t get up in the morning, before a half cup of Vodka.
The drinking competition between Georgie Best John Prescott, the Heavy weight Boxer, and Alex resulted in Georgie falling under the table and Alex and John moving on to another Birmingham Club,
The sad ending for poor Alex was when he was found dead, in his flat, in Birmingham,with his telephone in his hand, unfortunately the telephone was disconnected for non payment.
Alex was a pioneer treated by the South African Heart Specialist Dr Christian Bearnard. it appeared that his heart was very dodgy and Birmingham City had done the right thing sending him there for tests, although it was a little late for him.
A tale that was going the rounds after Alex was found dead, was that after the postmortem, a junior doctor took Alex,s liver, and nailed it on the Doctors Bar Wall, were it was still being used instead of a bottle Smirnoff two years.
Alexandre Harley born April 1936 in Glasgow.
Played for Third Lanark, until sold to Manchester City he had scored 71 goals in less than 2 seasons, in the Scottish first division, at Manchester he scored 31 goals in the season that Manchester were demoted.Birmingham he obviously had heart trouble and only scored 9 goals before moving back to Dundee but his heart was in the Birmingham Night Clubs,
A wonderful man, who only ever wanted to have fun.
This was the type of players Cubone played with during his quest for Soccer stardom.
a half Blind, Brummie and a Vodka Loving Scot. what a life. Ive had.

Cubone

never forgot, and

As soon as Harry was born all pink and wet, he looked like a King. surrounded by a loving father mother and 3 sister, the whole family had longed for a future head, the Lord of the manor.
Any one who was there that day in 1860 would have known this was no ordinary baby.
His father was a Lord and the boys birth place was Donnigton Hall. no were in the whole of England was there a more wonderful a seat of nobility.
Henry Weysford,Charles,Plantagenet,Rawdon, was enough to guarantee the local vicar a tin full at the christening,,the Boy however was born a make weight, as he had an elder brother, Paulyn Reginald Serlo. in line to the estate. and only 11 years 6 months, when the Lord died.
So the family of Paulyn,Edith,Bertha, Victoria, Harry and finally Francess, born 4 months after there fathers death were left to there own devices, with what seemed to be scores of tutors, and teachers.
Not long before the new Marquise of Hastings, Paulyn was at Eaton.
What,?you may say happened to the Marquess,his mother well as soon as the Lord died she was off to the German Gambling center,s at Barden Barden and of course France.
With Paulyn at school for three years, life was just one great game for the Girls in the great Hall and there little baby boy Harry.
When he could talk, he was told who he was, he was Royalty. full of Blue Blood, this chat was moved up a gear however when the new Lord still only 15 died, in Ireland.
The death sent shock waves through the Hasting household,
The games that children play were ratchet up, replaced with games for the wealthy, Horse riding, for the new Lord Harry, as he would one day be expected to be the Master of the Quorn, one of the most famous Hunts in the Land. the girls, who loved him as a baby were now over protective.
The tales of who he was also intensified.
The word Plantagenet, was part of his education, not however, other than the fact that he was of Royal Blood dating back to the day that two little brothers were murdered by there Haunch backed Uncle the boys were Plantagenats the same as Harry, so if you look back far enough, Richards the Duke of Gloscester when he Killed the Earl of Richmond, a future KING, also ripped the thrown from Harry Hastings.
Thats a nice way to start a life having been told that you really should be the King of England and not Victoria a German Upstart.
The boys future was bright, no knead for upsurge or Battles Royal. but you cant stop a lad dreaming of what could have been.
He was loved by all his sisters and governess,s, even the Coal miners and farm workers, from around the Donnington villages, would play cricket with the lad,
An important meeting took place to plan out the boys education, at the meeting was Lord Howe, and the boys mother. he was to be Harrys guardian, and were was he to be educated was the first problem.
Both his father and grandfather had gone to Harrow and became soldiers,but for some reason a break in tradition had taken place with Harry’s brother going to Eaton.
The last two Lords had both been soldiers,
It was decided that the boy should follow Howe, at Eton and then Oxford.
this was the path the majority of aristocrats followed, and so that would be the path for Harry.
It may have been known that Victoria,s Son, hier apparent The Prince of Wales was going to Eton. and that may have tilted there decision.
Although a few years older than Harry it would be certain that the two would, overlap.
Perhaps there would be a duel. one sister stated, and although every one laughed there was more than a little nastiness in the statement.
As soon as Harry arrived at Eton he found it different to the fun and games, they he had become used to at Donnington.
Harry was small and female like, would sit for hours not muttering a word he so missed his sisters, who of course missed him.
The influence at the school was of elegant refinery and snobbishness, and as Harry grew he found a place amongst the snobs at the school, Plantagenet’s had long been forgotten, in the scheme of things, to the other Boys he was just a rich Kid like every one else.
He was not very good at games, or work. and the lax regime, that existed at the time allowed for drinking and even gambling the blood of his mother seemed to gain prominence the famous Painting of the Derby Day by Frith, depicted as of a small girl School Boy, at Epsom, an Etonian on truant from School although the time of the painting and the time that Harry was creeping off for a days racing didn’t overlap so he wasn’t the Boy in the Painting but why spoil a good tale with the truth. .
By 1850 the freedom being allowed at Eton, was to shape Lord Hasting in a less than positive way.
Although quite and dressed like a rake. he knew his potion, and that wasn’t under any one, in fact he honestly beleaved, his calling and although he never went out claiming such, between his charm, there was an air of flamboyance. at every school function, every mother with any possible drop of acceptable blood would look over towards the handsome little youth, with a smile that only meant one thing and that was “Come see my Daughter”
Back at Donnington Hall. dinner parties would take place with the young Lord sitting at the head of the table. being told tales, of the past, the historical name of Plantagenet would be raised and then a much more modern tales one that he never did like and that was that when ever the noise of a coach was heard late in the night and yet no coach was there, it indicated that the head of the house had a very short time to live.
On the other hand he would scowl when ever the tale of his Auntie Flora, was raised and the tale of his father Dashing to Buckingham Castle knocking a door down to approach Victoria herself, following the accusation that Flora was pregnant,he then carried her to her bedroom at the Palace and sat at her head whilst she died.of a liver complaint. was this part of some conspiracy. he would always think.
Any other era and Lord Hastings, would have demanded a duel. if not with the little dumpy Queen but with someone.probably her Son. The Prince of Wales.The Future King Edward, no Plantagenet,
So although Lord Hastings knew his place in society, there was a grumbling grudge hovering about when ever he and the Prince of Wales met.
An interesting comment was made in a Lord Redesdales memoirs, were he stated that at Eaton there was a King of Plungers and that was Harry Hatings. what even at 15.
There is no doubt that Lord Hastings didn’t last very long at Eton, and it may well have been his gambling that was the cause.
Money was no problem for Harry if he was short there were many Henry Padwick a tipical 1900th century “Shyloch” he knew how much Harry had inherited, and would give the Boy what ever he wanted
Harrys fate began to take shape at Donnington one Sunday when a game of cricket was organized between an Eaton 11 and a team of locals from surrounding villages, score books at the time indicated Harry was one hell of a batsman, scoring many a century, even though the apposing bowlers were raw bone fast, from the mines many of which Harry had known as a child, and probably the grand fathers of Larwood, who murdered the Aussies in what became known as The Deamon Bowler. 1932.
The Nottingham Bowlers had always been fast, they also knew not to upset, the Lord of the Manor.,
After every game, he would scatter gold coins, to the apposing players, not an action that would encourage, competition. in fact it has been muted that Harry had an understanding with the opposing bowlers that if they sent all there screamers well wide of the off side, he would be grateful. as his strong suit was a very good off drive. this was the start of Harry beleaving he could do what he liked Gambling.
If Harry had been around today he would have been a game rigger. what it was he hated to lose, it wasn’t just the money that he won, but the fact that he was the winner.

When at the Hall, Harry would also attend the cock fights at the famous Ashby de-la-Zouch, inns, were he would lead the betting. Challenging any one with the size of his bets.
After he arrived at Oxford Harry had his own Bookmaker in the town. every one loved Harry. he could be guaranteed to hold the best party,s and had the best group of horses for his days out Hunting it was then that he met, the one man that would take him on, at every thing Not perhaps Gambling but in dress and skill on horse back. Better Looking as smart. and although he was no Royal. he was the best friend of guess who. Prince of Wales.
So although this person Henry Chaplin, had no personnel Wealth, any way near Hastings, he was always next to the Prince.
Henry Chaplin was a friend and his adviser, as soon as he bumped into Harry the friction was tangible,
There seemed to be more than a little friction, not from Henry towards Harry, and it wasn’t that Harry disliked Henry, it was just that Plantagenet thing, still festering many centries after the Little Boys had been Murdered in the Castle.
When Henry walked into the room with Lady Paget on his arm, Harry was smitten, Florence Paget, was the daughter of Marquise of Anglesey she was pure class and a catch, for anyone. many suitors were after Florence, not only Henry but there were not many who would challenge the “Henry” he wasnt called Magnifico for nothing. any sport he attempted he was great at, even fencing.
If Harry could have gone back in time to 1483 he would have just walked up to the beauty and taken her hand and walked off, with her.
If he was to have any chance he would have to play his cards correctly, .
After every dinner party were he and Henry was in attendance, there would be time when the Prince of Wales and his followers including Henry would move to the smoking room and the ladies would stay chating amongst themselves,
Here Harry would make it his business to sit next to Florence nothing to heavy as to cause a scandal,
It became a known fact that Henry and Florence were an Item, with the full backing of the Prince.
A few weeks before there wedding an amazing thing took place.
Florence eloped, but not with Henry but with Lord Hastings,
This was the scandal of the centry.
Sensation. even Queen Victoria showed her disdain. refusing them to attend functions at the Palace.
It was sometime before Henry got over the incident, and forgave both of them, what a Gent,
Harry of course was not the type to ever forgive or forget. on his mind all it was , was a part of the Hastings Grudge,
Harry and Florence had to keep a ow profile, of an evening, many a hiss could be heard at the theater when the couple arrived, during a days racing at Epsom, or even Ascot, things like that were soon forgotten.
Harry was on a role he was now, one of the country,s big owners with a stable full of Thoroughbreds
Unbeknown to Henry Chapmen, Harry hadn’t done with Grudge he wanted more, when ever they ran there horses against each other Harry would have win he wished to dominate, every time they discussed Horses it appeared that Harry would wish to tern the conversation into a bet.
One fateful day at the Newmarket sales, lot number 27 came into the hall. both the combatants, had a red mark on there sales caterlouge.
In the case of Harry Hastings the mark was “a Must” on Henrys there was a mark from his adviser Captain Machell a great racing man, with a brilliant record. of winners both flat and national hunt. less confidant in the sale but “Must look”
In the Sales room were all the leaders of the sport, in one party, Admiral Rous, Chaplin, Machell. , Lord Maidstone, to name but a few,
In another part of the hall was Harry, with his top hat, tilted to one side, he looked half a sleep. after all he had left some gambling hovel well after midnight.
The great breeder of the Horse at the time was Mr Blenkiron, who owned Middle Park Stud, the largest breeding center in Europe.
The last day of Ascot was the yearling sales, from the Stud, every one seemed to have had a good Royal Meeting at the expense of the Bookmakers, so good prices were expected.
Harry had already been in one of his Battles were he just seemed to carry on bidding regardless. this was often used by sellers to gain a good price often outbidding Harry and running him up.but Hastings couldn’t care less he could afford it.

LOT 27 Gentlemen.
a Chestnut Colt by Newminster out of Seeluso
Chaplin had consulted his Book and looked the horse over, Well Bred, not a lot of scope he thought.
Harry never even looked at the horse it was one of the Horses he had been told to buy so that was it.
Captain Machell was more than a little interested in the yearling, and was seen in close conversation with Chaplin.
Hastings, seemed oblivious to it all.
Hard to get started , the bids were up to 900 Gns in what seemed ages,
Hastings looking over,towards Blenkinron, had made the previous Bid,
Just as he was about to knock it down, Henry Chapin called out 1000 gns.
Now looking towards Harry, for his Bid,
Lord Hastings was about to make one of those mistakes that shape Destiny.
Looking away as if not interested, he missed lifes destiny.
Sold to Henry Chaplin. Lot 27. 1000 gns.
Harry seemed shocked for a moment, but was certainly not going to give any thought as to disappointment after all it was only another Horse.
On the way back to town Chaplin and Machell discussed a name for the colt and decided on HERMIT.
As a racing man Harry Hastings, would often rule the markets, when he stepped up to the plate Bookmakers would gather around, betting what ever he wanted no bet was two large for Hastings.
But only a few Bookmakers knew that he was getting in deep. he was a born chaser, the only other person who would have known was Padwick the Jewish money lender, and he wasn’t going to tell anyone.
During the next year Hermit arrived on the scene to take his bow,
During the year winning 4 of his 6 races, After one race at Bath, Hermit had misbehaved running amok at the start and refusing to come into line,when Harry got to know, he couldn’t stop himself gloating “Told you so”
However when he was taken to Epsom for the Woodcote Stakes a Derby trail Hermit acted the opposite impeccably, It seemed that every time the colt ran, Hastings and Chaplin would lock horns, in the ring,
No knead for Henry to move out of his box as Harry would accommodate him, what ever the stake.
Every time Hermit ran Harry would be there in the thick of it, laying the horse to whatever was wanted and also backing others against it.
By late May the colt was being touted as a Derby Possible.
One night Captain Machell, opened his Betting Book and began request bets of 20/1 for Hermit to win the Derby.
a Bet of £1000 at 20/1 was acquired, when a friend of Hastings The Duke of Hamilton, over heard the wager.
“Call your self a better why not have a proper bet, I will lay you what ever you want”.
Machell opened his betting book again and took a £6000 to win £180,000 this was an enormousness wager, but after a time to become sober the Duke asked if he could be released from the obligation for a £1000 fee, Machell refused at first but when The Magnifico got to know he allowed the Duke to cancel the bet, at no charge.
Whatever was the amount that Hastings was in for, it must have been enormous he had leys all sorts of prices on the Derby.
Even if he had decided to get out of trouble he couldnt the horses price was now only 8/1.
In the week before the Derby. Hermit was taken tp Newmarket for a steady canter to see how he liked the track. unbeknown to those not party to the trail. Hermit was to run against a great Derby trialist, one who had been tested with all the leading participants. being an equivalent to last years Derby winner,within a few pounds.
Hermit was to carry a stone more and if he could prevail it would be a great trial. and one that they could use as a guide tp plunge again.
During the trial Rama made it a great pace and tried to get away from Hemit but the Chaplin colt was pulling a train.
With the Champion jockey Custance having his arms pulled out the Horse stopped as if shot,the Blood on the jockeys colors would have proved a bullet, however when the horse pulled himself up and stood there shivering the blood was seen to be coming from his nostrils. a blood vesel for certain.
Custance dashed to London it was clear that he would be needing a new horse to ride.
As soon as Chaplin got to know he wished to scratch the horse immediately.
Dont be hasty said the Captain obviously wishing to do a little trading before the news was out.
Within two days, OldBoss the horses stable lad was anmazed whith his improvement.
But still the touts, knew what they had seen and the price was drifting like a barge, 20/1 33/1 and even 50/1 for the asking.
When Hastings got to know it was not what a , shame, after all he was a Gambler who had been proven right. ,
“I told you so Hemit was no Derby winner”
Custance had managed to get the owner of The Rake to move there jockey off, a little like Piggott of latter years.
a few days before the Derby they gave the Horse one little canter around Tattenham corner, the freezing cold weather had caused a false going and the track was firm.
Many of the Derby runners trailed arrround the track for a final work out.
The Rake came arround like a cripple, as The Hermit came round he stuck to the notorous corner like a fresh coating of paint.
Chaplin had given Custance a written agreement not to force there contract to ride Hermit so they were in fact short of a jockey, themselves.
Even the morning of the race, they still had no rider. for Hermit.
Derby Day, the Royal Party arrived at the track, the crowd gave them a hearty chear with the Prince was Henry Chaplin, walking past him was Harry and his wife.
Breaking from the Princes group. Hastings shook hands with Henry,
“I wish you the very best with Hermit but I did tell you he wasn’t bred to win the race”
Henry a gentleman through and through, never said a word about his remarks.
Harry take my word, Hermit has recovered from the incident at Newmarket. we are expecting a great race from him, and the new price is no resemblance of his chances to win,”
I know you have Large Liabilites. and with the price as high as 66/1 you are in a good position to get out.
Once again Harry Hastings The King of the ring if not a real King, was still adamant he would remain, a Gambler.
Old Boss Hermits minder took the horse to the start, being ridden by a John Daly, known always as a Bred and Butter rider or in the war years he would have been a chalk jockey.
What it meant was that he was 2 stones behind the best and didn’t even have his own name in the runners board and chalked up now and again.
At the off Hermit was allowed to drop off the pace, however with a mile to go Daly followed his instructions from The Captain Machell coming with a long run, taking it up one furlong out, it could not have been riden better by Custance, who was beaten 2 furlongs out on his spair mount The Rake.
In the Princes Box there was a massive cry, and more pats than you would ever see on a St Patricks night.
In a Box a little further down the grand stand was Harry Hasting he was as pale as snow, The Hermit was standing in the Winners enclosure a Derby winner.but still shivering.
From that day on Lord Hastings was a doomed man, what ever he did he could not get out of the noose. he was in.
The sands had run out for him, aged 26 he looked 50. He was so ill he decided to go for a holiday on his ship the Ladybird, sitting on the deck. he could not ever forget, Hermit and how it had all gone wrong.
after his cruise he went back to Donnington still not fully recovered,
As he lay in bed he was awakened by the sound of a Coach loud enough for Harry to get changed, even his servant had been awakened, but there was no couch in sight.
Harry Remembered the legend, and began to shiver. that Autumn and with Ladybird sold, the Marquise and Marchioness wished to go to Egypt and some warm weather,
On tuesday the 19th of November 1868 with his homes in Scotland once owned by the The Duke of Argyles his mothers,brother. sold his horses and all his goods and chattel gone he was a finished man, all his Kingdome had gone, even the Hall his pride and Joy was to follow suit.
And on this day he lost what was his final bequest. his life. still only 27. and had packed more living in 10 years as a MUG GAMBLER than any before or since.
Even his burial was not in the vaults of Donnington but in the grounds of the working class,s Kensal Green. Cematary. London, others may have lost as much but none for the sake of a GRUDGE

The End.

At the start Hemit a shivering wreck,

Cruising like the champion he was Hermit was puling Champion Jockey Custances arms out of his sockets,

Machell who only a few year before was penniless but now let him escape his liability for nothing.
When the Duke met up with Hastings, Harry was quick to offer all sorts of wagers against hermit it was now a dislike of the horse itself, that spured him on to possible distruction.
By thje start of the new year hemit was nit right for the 2000 gns and it was decided to go stratint to Epsom, this caused the horse to drift from near favourism,

By the end of hermits first year mnetion as a Derby Favourite was muted, Harry Hstings with a smirke would stae name your own price that being a sincle that he horse was usless.
and no chnace of winning the Blue Ribbonmd.

Also at one of these games was

One of the dying statements left to me by my loving Grandfather. was
a Every Body is at it bar the postman, had a twist to it, the reason was that in 1945 When he Died Postmen and Post Offices were the bain of the Betting Industry, existence with bets being still placed by by post. the reliance on a post stamp indicating the time the wager was placed.
All it required was an old dear in charge of a little village post office, and after giving the wager for registration, a villan or sharp would ask if he could add a little note at the bottom of the post.
If dressed in a Uniform fresh off the shelf from an Army and Navy outfitters, worn by some good looking lad with flashing eyes, the 75 year matron would do what ever he required.
“Ive forgot to add a few kisses”. was certain to create a blush. before passing the unsealed envelope back to Tommie.
But instead of adding a few kisses, an extra 0 was added to the £10 wager and the cheque inside changed for the larger denomination. that was after a colleague had passed on the information of the 2.30 at Warwick. Winner.

All good fun. so the term every body is at it bar the postman, was just a cryptic remark to confirm the old mans belief that there was no honest gamblers about at the time.
Only one other remark gained any more prominence whist I was sitting holding his hand. and that was.

“Grudges cost Money”
Sitting her this lovely sunday morning, 60 odd years later,with no one young enough or interested in Gambling, his words will die with me,
However the Grudge, caused me to take a look at my time and to see if carrying a Grudge, had ever caused me money. loss.or even heartache.
Well I remember once falling out with, brother and after a parting of our business interests, I wished to show him, that I could do all right on my own.although the junior member of the family.
At the time. he had always placed a Football coupon, with Littlewoods, and as I had been asked to do his special numbers, after we parted I decided that I would hate it if he ever won the Football Pools, so I decided that if I did the same numbers, I would get great enjoyment if one Saturday, I received a telephone call ” Fk you I have just won the first Dividend on the football pools £1miilion divided by two people.”
I would say, in response and with a smile on my face that he of course couldn’t see. I would say.

What a coincident “and me”
In 15 years I have spent over £18,000 first at Football and now on the Lottery and not once have the numbers ever won any more than £10. and my Brother has been dead 8.
However I can recall one of the biggest grudges in history that cost a person over £1 million in 1860s.
Imagine that amount at today’s prices. and it makes him a massive loser and all because of a GRUDGE.

I will write the tale during today and I hope it is thought provoking.

Coming Shortly

Grudges Cost Money.

After many years reading books about the SPORT OF KINGS, there are many who write about themselves at the top of the tree, great Jockeys Trainers and Owners, but not so many tales have been writen about the other side of the coin. LOSERS.
I have decided to place all losers into two groups the real losers and those who were given or won the prize to start with, and only lost what they had acctually won, so really it wasn’t there in the first place only having been lent to them.
There is a belief that all gamblers die broke and who am I to doubt that thought.
There is no doubt that many do die in the poor house having shot across the Gambling Skies. like a shooting star. only to run out of steam.
People like Mincemeat Joe Griffith the Irish owner who from nothing but a bucket full of fruit, made £millions. after adding it to meat MINCE MEAT and creating a great company,
Actually the Fruit was from Greece not as I infered but dried and stored in a ware House a cancelled order by a well know British Grocery.store.
Joe of the twinkling eyes had been talking to an english man, about the lack of good quality mince pies,
When he got to know that there was a store full of the stuff, the main ingredients, for Mince Pies, in Greece he was over there in a flash. with some money he had won gambling, he paid a deposit and bought the rest on credit.
Within weeks he sold mince pies to the firm that left the fruit to rot and paid £20.000 for a very small amount, within a short while his company now called The Redbreast Preserving Co. had hit the big time.
Mincemeat Joe was a £millionare.
It wasn’t long before he had a new nick name that of Lucky.
And that was nothing to do with his business but his Gambling.
The day he bumped into a trainer, was the day he became known as Lucky Mincemeat Joe. the trainer
Just Happened to be Vincent O’Brien. the greatest of them all.
“Would you purchase a National Hunt horse for me please Mr O’Brien”
I will do better than that Mr Griffin, I have a horse you can buy that will win this years Grand National and you can start backing it as soon as we own it.
At the sales Vincent had instruction to BUY, but that wasn’t to be that easy for at the sale was Lord Bicester, who had no intention of letting any one else purchase his old friends horse.
The horse had been owned by Mr J,V,Rank a not so lucky owner having died. a few weeks after Early Mist fell at the first in the previous National.
With Bicester the under bidder at £5300 looking round at the stranger behind him. he just looked at Griffin and he could tell who was going to buy the horse no matter of the cost.
As soon as the sale went though Joe started to put on, as high as 33/1 downwards.
After the race with Early Mist coming home well clear, Joe organized a party at the famous Liverpool Adelpi better then even Dorothy Pagets had held years before.
Within a short time Vincent had another horse that would win Joe another National. having won over £200,000 equivilant to £5,000,000 now, with Early Mist, he started to put on Royal Tan .
This time Lucky neaded all the luck going for at the second fence Brian Marshell was talking to his friend and stable companion about the pace when Alberoni fell. taking Royal Tans, back legs with him, the horse came to a halt, and was a long way behind jumping the 3rd, getting back in the race, in no time . as they jumped the last fence there was only one winner and that was Tudor Line. however at the last three fences the Bobby Renton trained runner up had moved out losing yards. at the last he almost run down the fence losing another 5 yards
On the run in they would have still bet big odds on Royal Tan not to win, but his jockey, Brian Marshall carried the Irish Home. winning by a neck.
How much Mincemeat won will never be known although there had been rumors about his business,
Lucky, perhaps was losing a little of his gloss,
The truth came out when Vincent O’Brien, came to see him and told him that he had a horse that he thought was a certainty for the next National. Joe made the right noises about purchasing but in truth, he was finished.
Part the business, but part his Gambling, he had beleaved his press that he was invinceable that he could no no wrong. he had almost ruled the National Hunt world, he had almost broke the bank of more than one Bookmaker. but only nearly. Gambling can be a very fickle, bedfellow.
Unknown to the public and even his family and friends Joe was betting in £5,000 minimum stakes not just on Vincents fancy’s but any horse he was told regardless of who told him.
Within a short time Joe was finished, bankrupt. what is more Mincemeat Lucky Joe Griffin spent time in Mountjoy Prison, for contempt of court and the day he arrived he was pestered by all the inmate for a Tip. having looked at the racing papers during the morning at court, he fancied a horse that he would have backed with at least, £5,000 that is if he had any money but the money had gone.money
The horse won, and made Joe a celebrity during his 12 internment.
Every penny he had went in Costs, the bankruptcy, foolishly he had not been a limited liabily Co and therefore paid every penjy he could afford to pay. leaving him nothing,
The sale of his horses should have been ticket only every one was there, well it seemed like that, some of the knock down prices amazing, Teapot II that cost Joe £10,000 went for £40 Galatian who had won 11 races was knocked down for a mere £1900 and fortunatly for the old horse, it was Vincent who bought it to take home,
So Lucky who as a boy of 9 years, had won the xmas raffle. and had never looked back. that was until it ended. as all great story’s end.
On a cold January morning 1992 he died, leaving a tale that very few Gamblers will ever repeat. well not the first part, for a long glorious spell he was unbeatable but like all Gamblers, he finished up a loser.

Joe will be 2nd on my list of losers, but by far, there is only one winner. of the greatest Loser, and that will follow, shortly.

Cubone

In less than a decade the amount of compulsive gamblers will be of pandemic proportions.
However the word compulsion is not the correct interpretation.

This word arose in the 1960s after the new High High Street betting laws made it easy for working class,s to bet.

But since the internet revolution has began a trade war has reduced the profit margins alarmingly in favor of the Punter. therefore compulsive is a good thing if the percentages are so good that it is the Bookmaker who is on the back foot and not the punter.
Example. ever since accurate figures have been collated it is excepted that backing favorites every race will create a % loss in the region of 3%. to the Bookmaker. this is of course before the Internet inclusion of Betfair.com the exchange, company who by acting as an agency, conducting wagers between two parties, the price of the average favorite has increased by approx between 10 and 15% this creates a very close margin in favor of the punter, after taking the exchange charges into consideration.
It is there fore a person who sat at his computer, all day and night will show a small profit or at worse a level stake for hours and hours of entertainment.
it is possible to increase the profits by making the race type more selective as I know some people do,
Only betting in non handicaps for instance this will better the normal profit and loss.
So what I am saying is that it is possible to bet every race avery day and be entertained for nothing.
Who say,s so. Well Adrianmassey will say so and as the holder of all British stats on the subject will prove it all for you. as well.
I have every confidence therefore that I could start a new School skill for teenagers who can sit at home. awaiting a proper job, and earn a weekly wage, were is the snag. you will rightly say.???

SIMPLE all through history it has never been possible, to control your brain, your thoughts. or emotions, by making on the spot decisions that you know you shouldn’t. many 1000 of people a year go into a pub with the intention of having one drink. before driving home. after one they even refuse “What do you want to drink Mate” a few times before they crack, the moment you crack and take that extra drink,
You have proved why a policy by me to teach others how to Gamble with no dangers attached has become a non starter.
People who win Gambling are a special group. they are people who can gamble when the odds are in there favor only and wouldn’t think of doing so at any other time.

There are of course many who say “I only bet when the odds are on my favour” but do not know what odds are all about. they also use a much touted word ” Value”. what on earth has Value got to do with winning, are we to accept your valuation of value. I think not.
Backing a horse at 10/1 when it should be 6/1 may well be value but who says that the 10/1 was the right price in the first place and who is the policemen who has convinced you that 5/1 was the correct price.in the first place.
Value in my opinion has only been concluded after thye result of tye race and then it is to late to place a bet. if it was then that would be the best value ever.
Before the commencement of Exchange betting all you had to go on was the prices returned from the race course these Starting Prices, were once the Golden scroll.
And except when prices were manipulated to tell a lye the SP has worked well for over 120 years.
But not now. they don’t.
Every time a market on a horse race commences, at 7.30 the day before prices are taken and offered offered and taken, however the liquidity is so small. these prices are ignored my the majority of people whilst Bots tick ,tickle, and trick away, scalping each other and a few innocents of there hard earned.
In fact not until 10 minutes before the official time of the off does the real. Gamblers commence business,
During this time the truth begins to be told.

Not always the truth however but truthful enough for it to be excepted as the real market place.
In Horserace gambling however the real players the ones with the Cards in there palms, never let, other people know what they are doing. It is a great advantage when you know something that others do not know. but at some time the truth has to come out. 10 or even 1 second before the off, is sufficient. and it is that fine tune that stops, the general public from ever gaining an advantage.over a few, It may have been Churchill who had gambling in mind when he said “never before in the history of human conquest has so much been won from so many by so few”
Good luck to the controllers. I wish them well.
But if you can forget the words value and Advantage, and just back the return favorites, it is as close to zero as you will ever be Gambling on Horses that is of course unless you are a trader. earning your 1%,s out of thousands of transactions.
But that is another story.
Of course I tell anyone who would like to have there bets without any chance of losing more than coppers at the end of the year, not to bother, unless you can go into a pub have a great time, with just one drink. and leave whilst the party is in full swing. because you are driving. you can get a great come on from the Lady with looks like Marylin Munroe. at the school run, and just smile and say sorry I’m happily married, and mean it. if you cant say no to the two paragraphs above then don’t bother to follow my advise as you are doomed in the first place and better if you never gamble.
I will finish by questioning a poem thats gone down in history as benchmark for gamblers
the poem is by one of our great poets RUDYARD KIPLING the Poem “IF”

“If I can make one heap of all my winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch and toss
And lose and start again at my beginnings
And never breath a word about my loss
Ill be a man my Son”
I will alter that to read
If I can start with my beginning.
And without a thought of pitch and toss
And never lose and think of my beginning
never fearing of any loss”
I will be a winner my Son.
And finally there is a saying that goes the rounds by many wealthy individual there winnings from Gambling however only there word.
Who said, Better to be a Lion for one minute than a lamb for ever.

I think if you are a gambler and can last an eternity never losing you are a man my son. never mind lions they are to be seen locked away in Zoo,s.

Cubone