Palace date for Tommy by Tom Walker Jun 19th 2007

Scottish boxing promoter Tommy Gilmour was awarded the M.B.E. in the latest Queens Birthday Honours List. BBN took the opportunity to interview Tommy on what was a very proud announcement. BBN - Tommy, On behalf of Britishboxing.net many congratulations on your MBE, awarded in this latest Queens Birthday Honours List. This recognition by the "Establishment" must make you feel very proud? TG - Thank you and yes it does make me very proud. I feel that the recognition shows that there is a place in our society for a properly controlled sport and also for the role played in any help that was given. BBN - The award also recognises your commitment to the community as well as Boxing, would you care to elaborate on the other side of the Tommy Gilmour that the public may not be aware of, i.e. In the community? TG - The St Andrew's Sporting Club since I became the owner has helped raise somewhere in the region of £300k for various charities. In particular one project that gave Veronica and I great pleasure was building a sensory room at Craighead School in Lanarkshire for kids with Autism. But then again it has always been our thoughts that "there but the Grace of God" , and it has been a pleasure to help those less fortunate than myself. BBN - Since this is a boxing site, I must return to the "Noble Art", when did you first go to a boxing match? TG - My first recollections are from the late 50's and was probably at Firhill or Paisley Ice Rink. BBN - Who's been your favourite boxer and why? TG - Because I have been lucky to be around and see some great boxers, I have never really hero worshipped. However the late Chic Calderwood would probably be my favourite as this is my first memories. I held up the numbers when he won his titles and also went with him when he boxed in Detroit USA. To round it off I also bought his Lonsdale Belt a few years ago. BBN - What changes strike you most about the sport since that time? TG - Many medical advancements. When I first started the Doctors examined the eyes with the standard Snellens chart and filled in a 1 page medical form, which was sufficient at that time. Today because of the advancement of medical science there is so much more to a medical. I don't believe any other sport insists on such a stringent set of medicals. I always believe that the boxers safety is paramount and welcome any help that can be given. BBN - How do you see boxing progressing in the 21st century? TG - I think that there will always be a place for excitement and entertainment but it will be hard work as there are so many other choices for people today. However as we will have seen recently big fights still draw big crowds. BBN - Can boxing survive the criticism of well meaning opponents of the sport, to the charges of being an inherently dangerous sport with long term dangers to participants health (i.e. brain damage etc)? TG - I do believe that providing the authorities in boxing continue to make full use of medical science then it will survive. BBN - How do you view the role of the amateur code in boxing? BBN - I think a strong Amateur game is a great advantage to the Pros albeit that you get the odd boxer who wasn't a successful Amateur but who blossomed in the Pro-Ranks BBN - Can the two codes in boxing, i.e. Amateur & Professional work together? TG - It would be great if we could work in unison although I do not think we will see one body. We should be able to share a lot of the thoughts necessary to help both sides. BBN - Without the amateurs it is highly unlikely that there would be as many top quality professionals, since the amateur sport has given them the fundamentals of the sport. What are your thoughts about the continuing relationship between the codes? And, how can the professional game help the amateurs overcome the perennial problem of funding at grass root level? TG - In Scotland it has always been the practice for Amateurs and Professionals to share the same gym and to help each other with sparring. The trainers also worked with both sides. Unfortunately these practices were either banned or frowned upon South of the Border. So it would be great to see everyone helping each other to achieve a common goal. It would also help if more financial help was channelled towards the grass roots and not just the exceptional talents. By doing this we might get more exceptional talent. BBN - Coming back off that last particular "hot potato" of funding for a minute, The St Andrews Sporting Club is a family run business, and a successful one at that! Given its success over the decades that the "Gilmours" have run it, what are the ongoing plans for the "Club"? TG - The Club is still prospering after nearly 35 years which is a great achievement in itself. Our membership, sponsorship and advertising is very healthy. I am fortunate enough to persuade major companies that we have something unique and special in The St Andrew's Sporting Club and it is worth supporting. It is still our purpose to create an opportunity for young boxers to launch their careers. BBN - Enjoy your day at the Palace, Tommy ! I trust you'll be treating Veronica suitably on her big day too, as her contribution to the "Noble Art" via the "Club" is as important, not to mention the kids.

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