MERCURY columnist Pete Hodge, an excellent all-round sportsman in his day, has put together his own Hall of Fame of Bridgwater's sporting heroes over the last 45 years. We publish it here, as a talking point for Christmas.
Rugby - Colin Ball, Laurie Ross, Dave Hodge, the Kent brothers, Mike Berry, kicker Nick Edmonds, clubman Roy Chidgey.
Football - Ray Stranger, Graham "Buster" Tanner, Bill Brown, Steve Hook, Chris Porter, goalkeeper "Kite" Elliott, Bobby Williams, Keith Setter (clubman).
Golf - Philip Pensabene (sponsor), Dave Dixon, Ron Bird, Tony Innalls, pros Ivor Yard and Nigel Wixon.
Cricket - Tom Pearce, Dave Cobb, Ian Falconer, Paul Windsor, "Stumps" Steve Williams, Tom Creedy.
Squash - Kit Barrington, Terry Norman.
Hockey - Lionel Bagg, Gwyn Griffiths.
Runners - John Livingston, George Hudson, Sheila Baker, Martin Baker.
Sprinters - Ron Cox, John Randle, Bob Daly.
Carp-fishing - John Perkins, Martin Coombes.
Match-fishing - Ray Perrott, Joss Saunders, Commercials, Steve Kedge, Steve Jackson.
Skittles - Stuart "Lulu" Clements, Bert Fursland, Tom Creedy, Bill Creedy (for his outstanding work and long nights).
Darts - Ray Watson, Ray Butler, Ray Summers, Dave Baker, Mike Butt, Shaun Elsley, Ray Rich.
Pool - The Rocket and Wizard Oly Bale.
Karate - Arthur Meek, Joe Johnson, Alan Lovell.
Boxing - Jack Mareno (alias Reggie Rex), Kenny Rainer, Johnny Knight, Mel Dando (trainer).
Judo - Pete Davey, Gordi Bolt.
Tennis - Duncan Whitehead, Lee Childs.
Trampolining - Laura Gallagher.
Full-bore shooting - The Luckman brothers, Puriton.
Small-bore shooting - Linsey Coombes, Jack Harding.
Swimming - Neil Barrett.
Motorcycling - The Marks brothers, Bill and Bob.
Grasstrack racing - Solos Lew Coffin, sidecars Mike Davis/Martin "Spike" Heal.
Motorcar hillclimbing - Brian Fisher.
Scrambling - The Winter brothers and the Williams brothers.
Cycling - The Baker brothers from Puriton.
Table tennis - Geoff Porter, John Greensides, Aaron Denman.
Bodybuilding and weight-training - Dave Blackmore (Mr Natural).
Archery - Keith Elsley, Paul Tomkins.
Waterskiing - Steve Cox.
Racehorse trainers - Philip Hobbs, Arthur Barrow, Kevin Bishop.
Point-to-point trainers - Geoff Fear, Julie Pocock, Denis Kenny.
Famous horses - Master Smudge, Kingscliff.
Greyhound racing - Tommy Linden.
Racing pigeons - Mel Fairfax, Steve Willis, the Standerwick brothers, Sonny Bale.
Bowls - Barrie Smith, Mark Horsman, Richard Billington, Neil Kunc, Gordon Richards.
Football referees - Pete Walters, Brian March, Dave Hobbs, Harry Ives, Ricky Hind.
Groundsmen - Golf: Nigel Gange, Robin Williams. Cricket: Stan Innalls. Rugby: Colin Bowerman. Bridgwater Town: My old pal Winston Davey. BCL ground: Tom Bell.
Physios - Morris Parsons, Jim Delaney, Dr Sheppard, Roger Goodchild, Ivor Field.
Carnival - Every club's a winner.
Sports reporters - Dave Diment, Jim Keay.
Sports photographer - Jeff Searle.
Unsung heroes - St John Ambulance, Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance, paramedics and doctors.
Sports sponsors - Don Bigwood, Tom Pearce, Notaro Windows, Harris & Harris, Gerber Foods, TMB Patterns, BWW Printers, to name but a few.
All-time Bridgwater sportsman - Tom Pearce.
Pete adds: "I know all these names because they have appeared in the Mercury over the last 45 years and it is my honour to pay tribute to them now."
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