p14,15,16 Trade talk 11/17/08 11:07 AM Page 15
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year at school he was the only pupil excused wearing
school uniform, being privileged to wear a tracksuit so
that every spare minute could be devoted to sport. His
other major interest was cooking and with ambitions to
become a cook he became a commis chef at Hotel
Leofrick in Coventry. Distinctly unsocial hours with no
time for sport quickly made such a career out of the
question so after three weeks he began a four-year
apprenticeship with a Builders and Plumbers merchant.
At the age of 20 he joined Marley Tiles selling new
technology plastic water pipes and guttering, soon
becoming area manager for the West Midlands.
Coinciding with his first marriage a year later, he was
intrigued by a quarter-page ad in The Guardian placed
by British Industrial Plastics for a technical rep. to sell
large diameter PVC ‘Trunk Mains’ which are used for
moving large amounts of water from one area to another.
There were, he explained, 72 applications, of which he
was one of six to be shortlisted. Was it despite, or because
of, being the only one with no qualifications to match the
job, that he was chosen? In the event, he stayed for eight
years and became their top sales person. Spare time? He
reached his sales target for the year in just three months
thus enjoying a legitimate nine months free time during
which he took up golf, attaining a handicap of eight. He
had been an enthusiastic (an adjective, incidentally, that
must be applied to the man and everything he does)
basketball player for his school. He was secretary and
played for the ‘old boys’ team. He played for the
Warwickshire League, Loughborough University and
asked the chairman at an AGM “Why is our County side
always so poor?” That question was to prove a turning
point (not the first but perhaps most significant) in his
life. The chairman, Mike Maddox, did not flinch from the attract the best players. It was time to imagine how to modest 1200 capacity, forerunner to Birmingham’s Aston
problem posed, Neither did Bob, who, following a two bring his dream in to reality. Like Barack Obama, who Villa Leisure Centre which accommodated 4,500.
week coaching course at Lilleyhall, where he shared a the very day that we met used that exact phrase, it was a Renamed Birmingham Bullets and owned by Bob
room with Stuart Storey, the BBC athletics commentator, case of “Yes we can” and so he decided, come what may, together with the aforementioned Mike Maddox, now
accepted the challenge and became the new County to bring new blood in to the team. Indeed, a complete one of his best friends, the story had gone full circle. And
coach. With much gusto and confidence he went about transfusion was to be the order of the day. To do this in this month’s ‘Jack meets…’ now comes the first
the task of revitalising the team. He negotiated an would require some special incentive, and taking mention of the brand of which Bob is the UK Chairman ,
equipment deal with adidas and determined to smarten advantage of the first ever town twinning between the Molten Sports, who sponsored the Warwickshire
up and make the players feel-good and home town of Coventry and Russia’s Basketball league. But there is more to the Bob Hope
look-good, persuaded Coca Cola to Volgograd (nee Stalingrad) he could story.
sponsor the shirts.“And the offer top players from wherever, He wanted (which in Bob’s case can be translated as ‘it
result”, he told me, as if to the incentive to visit, all will happen’) Basketball to have more prominence on TV,
prove the old adage that ‘the expenses paid, the twin where it occupied very little space. Several phone calls to
best laid plans…’ – “we lost town. This was proved too John Phillips, editor at the time of BBC Grandstand, were
every game!” good an offer to refuse rebuffed but perseverance and initiative would find a
It was time for Plan B, and there was way.“Dinner?” suggested Bob.“If you knew how many
and the realisation that acceptance by one and offers like that I get…” but Bob was ready.“This,” he said
leadership, morale all. Taking with them "will be different. A helicopter to the venue and then
boosting, strategy, and caseloads of Wrigley’s some golf and then some eats.” As he related the story, I
even dreams, are not chewing gum for their could almost hear the whirr of the propellers and, yes, it
always enough to make Russian hosts and with did get results.“Could I bring along a friend?” asked
winners. As I listened to his free air tickets courtesy of John.“Certainly,” was the reply, and that 'friend’ turned
new recipe for success, I Aeroflot, he now had the out to be none other than Des Lynam. The principle of
pondered over the retailers or team to take on all comers. So, showing was agreed but the question of funding came to
indeed anyone who sells anything, in 1978 it was win, win, and win the fore. And who would produce the programmes? Bob
who may adjust the lighting, change the again. The team were County had no experience but he ‘knew a man who did.’ And so
shop layout, alter the window display adding new Champions, soon to become part of the new was formed 'Bob Hope TV Productions’ in 1982, a
units, and even offering discounts, who have not professional league. Bob was their coach for seven years, company still going strong, enabling minority sports to
addressed the real problem – having the stock that the and they were consistently in the top four. The new be aired including netball, junior tennis and golf, water
customer wants. Bob knew he must simply (simply?) facility at Coventry Sports Centre was always full to its skiing, volleyball, and of course basketball (not such a
NOVEMBER 2008 15
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