A SCHOOL friend sent me the picture of Bere Alston Tigers from last week's Times.

My father ran several boys' teams, although as I grew up he gave it up to pursue spiritual goals.

He was always proud that two, (three?) of his players went on to play professionally for Hull City and Plymouth Argyle.

He told me that by full use of the running boards of Sleep's taxis you could get a full team and the magic sponge and bucket in an Austin 10.

When he was in the Navy, he would arrange a team to play a local team at every port the ship would visit.

Stuart Swailes

Oakwood Close

Dartmouth