Golden Crutches

Phil Lyndon reports:

15/10/24: Congratulations to Martin Powell who won the first ever Golden Crutches fives competition on Sunday 13th October.

The tournament, played at Aldenham, was only for those who have had joints such as hips and knees replaced.

As part of the EFA’s centenary celebrations in 2024/25 the aim of the competition was to show that joint replacement, often due to arthritis, is no barrier to top notch fives.

Four players with new hips or knees played alongside Aldenham’s Elana Osen and Paul Kendall who took part to increase competitor numbers.

The tournament’s competitors were:

Tony Walters, Monday Club at Shrewsbury, hip

Martin Powell, Brigands/Old Etonians, knee

Stuart Kirby, Repton, both knees

Phil Lyndon, Aldenham, hip, knee

Event organiser Phil Lyndon said: “The tournament was great fun and played in a spirit of friendly competitiveness. Many think that having a joint replaced is the end, or the slowing down, of a sporting career but it’s the exact opposite. I would have quit three years ago had it not been for my new hip.”

The tournament took the form of a round robin with each player competing in step-at-7 games and swapping partners after each game.

Prior to the final, Martin and Stuart were tied having won two games apiece but Martin won through with an 8-2 score. He took home a pair of gold-painted crutches and a cup.