I started playing competitive cards aged 5 (if I beat my dad and older brothers I won stamps for my collection). Then my brothers and an even older friend started playing the German relative of bridge called Skat and I watched from the sidelines until I was banished for (repeatedly) telling the others what they had done wrong.
I was taught bridge at school by classmate Rowland Wymer who later captained Oxford University. A couple of years ago I met an old classmate who said "you played bridge” and I wondered why my sporting and musical achievements were not mentioned….
I got back into bridge in my late 20s and played in Middlesex until moving to Sheffield in 1984.
My obsession with bridge was tolerated by my family but not so tolerated at work with Sheffield City Council for reading bridge books in the Committee chambers.
Bridge is full of disappointments but I am still proud of being runner up in the Spring Fours in the probably strongest field it ever had and for losing the Hubert Phillips by a part score on hand 60.
Every day I play bridge I learn something new or revise my thinking or see some magic which is why I intend to carry on playing for “ever". But my real dream in life is to see Oxford United win the Premier League.
World Bridge Games: 2024
Teltscher Trophy Selections: 2012 and 2023