Profile: Ace

Ace

Still yet to find a sport I'm any good at - tried football - cricket - golf frisbee and tennis. Might have a good feel for boules or petanque with a beret on my head and a glass of beer in the other hand.

I support Sheffield Wednesday but having therapy - idolise Roger Federer - but not in that way and have a life time's ambition to have a knock up with Maria Sharapova - yeah right!

I have a small film production company specialising in sport. So make programmes about kids in sport/education and have produced programmes on such diverse issues as Cuban boxers.

Am qualified Tennis/Cricket and Tag Rugby Coach

What's your greatest sporting achievement?

Its a toss up between running a Marathon and cycling from John O'Groats to Lands End. I can't really say beating a certain player at tennis or scoring a hundred was particularly outstanding as I was Ok at those sports - so it has to be the cycle ride. Spending two weeks in the saddle and climbing the Scottish Hills was just fantastic

What's your greatest sporting ambition (real and imaginary)?

I suppose a triathlon as I am crap at swimming or maybe some long distance rowing as I am genuinely afraid of deep water.

For example when I read about these people who row across the Atlantic - just being out there in all that vastness - respect.

Favourite sporting film moment(s)?

Its a film. When we were Kings. Its a documentary about the background and fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. It was nicknamed the Rumble in the Jungle. Its just an extraordinaly story illuminated by Ali of course and featuring interviews with individuals like Norman Mailer. But its got great music too. Picked up loads of Academy Awards.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N44vdCqI7LI
Raging Bull is an all time favourite although I have to confess that the fight scenes outside the riung are more realistic than the pugilism inside the ring. Artistically I know that the camera has to see the face being hit but every boxer keeps his guard up - to see Di Nero being pummeled - its just not real.
But for a sporting moment - the football match in Kes where a bullying school master played by Brian Glover organises a football match where he has to be the star. Brilliant stuff. Gritty realism and all that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UycWO0w852g

Best Book about Sport?

I've read a few recently - Feet in the Clouds - about Fell Running is terrific. A long walk spoiled by John Feinstein is a very thorough overview of Golf and what its like to miss a 3 foot putt and lose your livelihood. Joe Simpson - Touching the Void - although not sure its a sport book and a bit overshadowed by the film.
There's a book called War Baby by Kevin Mitchell about the fight between Nigel Benn and Gerald Mclelland that left the American a virtual vegtable. Not too keen on the Nick Hornby book about Arsenal - always came across as a non sporting fan.

What music/band do you listen to when you are training/doing mind numbing workout stuff?

I like World Music - African music with a good beat and rhythm - although Pulp's I want to live like Common People makes me row like a nutter. I now have downloaded the Killers and Amy Winehouse onto the Ipod - brill.

Which sports career would you most like to have?

Sports Journalist possibly having access to interview people like Muhammad Ali - failing which a tennis pro easing round the circuit looking for mixed doubles partners

Which moment in your sporting life was better than sex?

Most of my sporting activities last longer. I know what was not compatible - long distance cycling and sex. After two weeks on a bike it took me a couple of days before I could get back onto the other saddle - so to speak

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Latest Pictures

Latest Blog Posts

Roger Federer's Hotdog or Tweener Shot US OPen 2010
By Ace

Posted at 10:31pm on 31st August 2010

Posted at 11:41am on 31st August 2010

Glamping - the new big Adventure
By Ace

Not long ago camping was seen as a holiday option favoured by people who tended to wear sandals, strum guitars, eat beans and sport rather bushy beards – and those were just the women. But now

Posted at 07:38am on 31st August 2010

Three Peak challenge
By Ace

The National Three Peaks Challenge is a mountain-endurance challenge in Great Britain, with a history of over 40 years, in which participants attempt to climb the highest peaks of each of the island'

Posted at 03:19pm on 30th August 2010

Cycling - the Adventure
By Ace

Allegedly it’s not the computer or the Ipod, the mobile phone or even the car that is our favourite invention. Apparently it’s the bicycle. But it’s not until you are free- wheeling

Posted at 08:28am on 30th August 2010