John Giles was at Laois Leeds United Members Club very first function and fittingly he will remember old friends by returning for their 10th anniversary celebration in Kavanagh’s on Saturday night.
Billed as A Night with John Giles and Karl Spain, tickets for the event have been selling extremely well.
A small number of tickets are still available for the event, to be held in the Wren’s Nest. For €15, those attending will also be treated to finger food and live music from Scammal Keogh and the Business. Tickets are available from All Books in Lyster Square in Portlaoise, while a small number may still be available on the door on the night.
Comedian Karl Spain is very knowledgable on football and regularly works with the FAI on events. As his father was chairman of Limerick FC for six years, it is fair to say he has been immersed in football since a young age.
John Giles will take part in a Q&A session on the night, and no doubt will field questions about his Leeds and Manchester United career, as well as his time in an Irish jersey and as the national team manager.
“John Giles is an absolutely great draw,” said Colm O’Hara. “We had him down at our first function and have had him down a number of times since and he always has had loads to talk about,” he said.
The former RTE pundit is still held in high esteem and his opinion on the modern game is much sought after.
Certainly the 10th birthday party seems to be coinciding with an upturn in the fortunes of Leeds, who are currently in the play-off places in the Championship.
Guests
Notable guests of the Laois club in the past have included Peter Lorimer, a Leeds star of the 1960s and 1970s, and Fabian Delph, now with Man City. Another highlight was the visit of the Leeds squad to Portlaoise, when they called into Kavanagh’s while they were over for a pre-season game.
Membership of the club in Laois remains at over forty, which is strong considering the club has endured some turbulent times in recent years.
However, under young manager Garry Monk they appear to be on the up again, just as the local club supports its 10th birthday. Certainly if the club could secure a return back to the Premier League, via the play-offs, it would be an ideal way to celebrate the first decade
