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My sporting life
Place North West | 15th April 2010

Sport, and more particularly the corporate hospitality that goes with it, has become big business in recent years, no more so than here in the North West, which boasts a healthy number of top football clubs, and this month hosted the most famous horse race in the UK. I am fortunate to enjoy a number of such events throughout the year, and the past month has been no exception.

First up was a visit to the City of Manchester stadium as a guest of the ubiquitous Laura Wolfe of Journey 9. I am often disappointed by the quality of the corporate offering at many of our Premier League grounds, but I have to say City have got it spot on. The masses of amount of food that we were spoilt with throughout the evening, ex City legends visiting the box pre kick-off, including Colin Bell and Tony Book, and even a goody bag with a free replica shirt, made the City corporate experience the best in the business in my opinion. The fact that the City team was equally hospitable on the night, handing Everton a 0-2 victory, was the icing on the cake.

The following weekend and it was my turn to play host as I treated Nottingham Forest nut Steve Bennett at Preston North End's newest corporate offering 'Invincibles'.

Again, I have to say the standard of food and service were excellent, great value for money, and Steve had a thoroughly enjoyable time - pre-match! Within half an hour Forest were 3-0 down. Despite a better second half performance from the visitors, PNE ran out 3-2 winners, but Mr Bennett has since got over his disappointment, with Forest now securing a play-off place, hopeful of joining the elite next season.

A change of sport in April, as the annual Liverpool jamboree that is Aintree came to town. This year I attended on the Thursday, now branded 'Liverpool Day', as a guest of Lord Daresbury. The entertainment and activity that is now provided throughout the course is a credit to the meeting organisers, and again the catering is of a very high standard. I also went along to 'Ladies Day' on the Friday (you don't see many ladies after three o' clock) and was well pleased as after the two days I unusually ended my only betting spree of the year £180 up.

Of course, £180 pales into insignificance when you look at the financial benefit to the Liverpool economy over Aintree weekend. The bars, restaurants and hotels enjoy an annual bonanza Grand National weekend, and it is a race meeting that provides a fantastic boost to our service sector at a time of year when they otherwise may struggle.

One final point on Aintree. Hats off to Merseytravel for their efficiency in getting so many people in and out of Liverpool over the weekend without any hiccups or dramas, and at a very affordable price too.