Club Association Lunch

Club Association Lunch 2021

Clubland came together for a day of recognition and networking at the Club Association Lunch 2021.

Hosted by ClubMirror ’ s MD Sean Ferris, the 2021 Club Associaiton Lunch was held at the Art Decco Earl of Doncaster Hotel.

“The intention of launching the Club Association Lunch is to open up dialogue between us all – associations, clubs and suppliers, ” said Sean. “And we ’ll be coming up with more lunch dates and more venues in 2022. So this is just the beginning. ”

Following a sparkling reception in the equally sparkling Ballroom, where guests took the opportunity to have their photos taken with the Premier League Trophy (courtesy of BT Sport), John Inverdale – who now sits on the RFU Council – was introduced as Master of Ceremonies.

But while the Club Association Lunch served a serious purpose - to pull associations together and create a forum for dialogue – how to break the ice? Enter ‘What’ s my Wine ’ .

Can you spot a Merlot at 20 paces? Does your nose know its Chardonnay from its Cabernet? No? Well, that’ s what we asked of our attendees. Three panels of ‘ wine experts ’ invited fellow guests to taste thewines(onepercourse),carefullyselectedtocomplement the menu. Each panellist then described their take on what the wine was. And in true CallMy-Bluff style, only one could be true. Merriment and mayhem ensued!

Top right: The sparkling reception set the tone for the quizzing. Was it Champagne or Prosecco? Neither. It was Bouvet Ladubay Brut from Saumur, official supplier to the House of Lords and endorsed by Napoleon III no less.

Middle right: Roehampton Club’s Marc Newey and Nicky Davis with Master of Ceremonies John Inverdale (centre).

Bottom left: Social media at play in the stunning Earl of Doncaster Ballroom.

Bottom right: Fill Your Boots’ Sean Phelan (left) and Peter Stroud admire some serious silverware!

The Premier League Trophy proved a welcome addition to the drinks reception, courtesy of BT Sport.

Below. CIU President George Smith and (bottom right) CIU colleagues Kenneth D Green and Ken Roberts were important participants of the 2021 Club Association Lunch.

John Inverdale (above) explains the procedures to guests who included the team from BT Sport (left) and Club Mirror’s Karen Foreman and Consultant Ashley Cairns (bottom left).

Below: Wine Expert E –

“It’s bone dry, it’s sweet and it’s a French Chardonnay Chablis – sophistication in a glass. Or –hang on – is it maybe a 2018 white Burgundy? You decide.

Above: Our Wine Experts prepare to bamboozle guests with spurious wine descriptions. Only one could be true – so whose would it be?

Right: Dransfields’ Trevor Roberts (centre) organised the Club Association Lunch Wine Quiz which flummoxed many guests. Roehampton Club, however, sailed through, the clear and outright winner.

Below: Club Mirror’s Angie Webster and Cindy Hedmann with former Sports Minister and CIU Parliamentary Advisor Gerry Sutcliffe.

With grateful thanks to Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company, sponsor of the 2021 Festival of Clubs Drinks Reception.