Good luck to Presteigne St Andrews FC’s club chairman Alan Randell who will take his turn in carrying the Olympic torch when it arrives in Hereford on Thursday, 24 May.
Alan will run his stint on Holmer Road, from the Primary School to somewhere just above the Leisure Centre and he is due to take possession of the torch at 12.54pm.
Alan admits to being a bit nervous and his biggest fear is that he might trip up and nose dive into the tarmac, extinguishing the torch at the same time, but we remain confident this will not happen.
In the worst case scenario, Al, if it does happen then make sure you go down appealing for a penalty.
In case you were wondering, yes, Alan has already heard all the gags about his ‘look’ in the official Olympic torch bearer’s outfit.
“I have already had it suggested that the outfit must be by that well known designer label – Burgoynes Marquees,” he said.
“I am just a bit upset I didn’t get the leg in Hereford that I really wanted – that was the one between KFC and McDonalds.
“But, all joking aside, it is a great honour and it is extremely unlikely it will ever happen again in my lifetime, so it is great to be part of it,” he added.
Good luck with it, Al – it is great that ‘one of our own’ has been selected to run in the relay and here’s hoping you enjoy your moment in the sun.
If you are going to Hereford tomorrow then please take a photo or two of Al with the torch and I will post those on the website later in the week.
If I were a betting man, I wouldn’t mind a quid or two on the fact his first port of call after he has run his leg will be the Starting Gate at the top of Holmer Road for a pint of something nice and cold…