Former England rugby captain Martin Johnson coming to Hartlepool

A World Cup winning former England rugby captain is set to make a star appearance in Hartlepool.
England captain Martin Johnson lifting the Webb Ellis trophy aloft after beating Australia in the Rugby World Cup Final at the Telstra Stadium, Sydney, Australia. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo.England captain Martin Johnson lifting the Webb Ellis trophy aloft after beating Australia in the Rugby World Cup Final at the Telstra Stadium, Sydney, Australia. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo.
England captain Martin Johnson lifting the Webb Ellis trophy aloft after beating Australia in the Rugby World Cup Final at the Telstra Stadium, Sydney, Australia. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo.

Hartlepool Rovers has announced that Martin Johnson will be appearing at Hartlepool Rovers for a “Join the Pride” fundraising dinner and talk.

Johnson is among England’s most successful rugby players with his trophy haul in both international and club levels.

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The event has been organised to raise funds for Hartlepool Rovers Junior Section.

The aim of the dinner is to raise money for the club’s thriving junior section which includes teams for both boys and girls.

The past 12 months the club has seen appearances from two famous Barbarians, Tommy David and international great Sir Gareth Edwards.

Commenting on the club’s website, a spokesman said: “The British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand is on the horizon so it is fitting that we are holding a “Join the Pride” fundraising Dinner within the clubhouse on Friday 19th May 2017 commencing at 7.15pm.

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“We continually look to attract the best in the world for our fund raising dinners and on this occasion we can categorically say we have the best.

“Joining us for the evening is none other than Martin Johnson CBE.

“Martin is regarded as one of the greatest locks ever to have played and one of England’s greatest ever players.

“He toured three times with the British and Irish Lions, becoming the only man to have captained them on two separate tours.

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“He also led his club Leicester Tigers to consecutive Heineken Cup victories, won the league five times including four consecutive victories as captain and won the Pilkington Cup twice.”

He is best known for captaining England to victory in the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

He became the new England team manager in July 2008, replacing the previous manager Brian Ashton, but left the post in November 2011 following England’s quarter final defeat at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Martin Johnson comes from a sporting family, his great-grandfather was a wrestler.

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A fan of American football, he is a supporter of the San Francisco 49ers and worked as a studio analyst for ITV at Super Bowl XLI and also for BBC Sport at Super Bowl XLVII.

Tables for the event are available for £350 per table of 10 and details can be obtained from the club on (01429) 267741.