THE SPORTSMEN  Paul Craig & The Theme: The New City Showband Wigan * "I met Reg Parker in town yesterday, not seen him for years. He's not very well and walking with a stick. He soon showed signs of his old-self when we started reminiscing. I reminded him of the time he was practising in his house with my brother Peter and he was doing the singing. He was singing Billy Fury's 'Because of Love' but when he came to the words, 'like a cherry cream pie,' he wouldnt sing it. Too much of a machoman you see. 'I'm not singing words like that!'     He still has his Fender guitar but says he doesn't play very often. I hope he gets better soon. As you know he really is the nicest of people. Regards." Michael Vose: April 2011   "Yup: Get well soon Reg":  From Bill and all the Lanky Beat family     Reg Parker: Rhythm Guitar. George Chamberlain: Guitar. George Twist: Keyboards. Keith Wright: Lead Guitar. Dave Rylance: Drums. Derek Taylor: Vocals. Maurice Myers: Bass Guitar.     The Sportsmen were formed as a resident band and took their name from The Sportsmens Club. This was located opposite the Half-Way House pub in Pemberton, Wigan. Winning a heat of the Music Echo sponsored 1965 Northern Sounds Contest, they lost in the final to the group Tabs. In 1965 they secured a recording contract.     "I've got a pretty battered 45 rpm single,the title on one side is ''I Miss You (When I Kiss You)'' and the other side 'If It's Love' The record was given to my girfriend, now wife and I in the late sixties by one of the band members Reg Parker. Jack Bit: Wigan World May 2010                                                                                                       The Sportsmen   The Sportsmen again..   And again..  *"After leaving The Sportman’s Club in Wigan we became resident at Bolton Casino on Crompton Way for about 16 months. At this time we made our record at CBS then we disbanded soon after.     George Chamberlain: Vocal. Keith Wright: Lead Guitar. Kenny Fillingham: Bass - ex Beat Boys. Johnnie Kearns: Drums - ex Vaqueros. George Twist: Keyboards - ex Beat Boys.   "George Twist of The Blues Set, The Sportsmen, The New City Showband etc, owns Tracy’s Discount Store in Ashton and Pemberton Wigan. He also drives a 4x4 Merc' with reg. G TW15T. He also used to be resident organist at Scholes LC with me on drums in the late 60’s." Billy Winston: August 2010