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On
Becoming a Life Vice President
(part of the Tales from
the Touchline series)
by Lawrie Harries
A
few weeks ago we suggested that Treasurer of the Vice Presidents
Association, Denis O'Leary, might be in the running for a knighthood.
We clearly set our sights too low. Far from getting a common or
garden knighthood, Denis has received an even higher honour - Life
Vice President of Harrow Borough.
Let's
face it - knighthoods are doled out like chips at half-time (very
tasty they are too, according to Big Trev). Captains of industry,
entertainers, civil servants all get knighted. MP's by the dozen
get them - presumably those not having their hands in the till (or
those not caught anyway!).
But
how many MP's get elected Life Vice President of Harrow Borough
Football Club? That's a far more exclusive group.
Anyway,
back to Denis O'Leary LVP. Over the years Denis has helped to raise
a considerable amount of money for the Club. Most of this has gone
into the playing side. So much so that Denis views all the players
through his accounts. Referring to one of the Boro' players recently,
he was heard to say "Good signing that lad - only two raffles, part
of the 200 Club draw and a day at the races!".
But
to see the conscientious way Denis handles his and the VP's accounts
is an education. Most Boro' supporters who were at the epic cup
game at Berkhamsted will remember the occasion for the eleven goals
- and manager Harry Manoe's language from the dug-out as Boro's
defenders decided to have the night off. But a little cameo was
played out in the bar at Berkhamsted which illustrates Denis's careful
approach to money.
Having
ordered his obligatory pint of Guinness, Denis asked the barman
if he had a paper clip. "Sorry mate - this is a bar not a stationers"
came the not unreasonable response. Denis persisted "This is a matter
of life and death - surely you've a paper clip somewhere?".
Denis's
persistence eventually wore our friendly barman down, and he caved
in finding a paper clip in the back office. "You've saved my life"
said the grateful Denis - and proceeded to clean his pipe with the
clip before lighting up! As the barman had pipe cleaners for sale
at £1 behind the bar, it was hardly surprising that his language
was a match for Harry's!
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