Discover Notts > Famous people > Sporting heroes Tom Blower
Tom Blower (1914-1955) was a long-distance swimmer from Hyson Green, Nottingham. He became a world record breaker at the age of 23 and in 1937 earned the nickname "Torpedo" for swimming the English Channel in 13 hours and 29 minutes. At the time he broke the previous record by a staggering 23 minutes. Wilfred Flowers
Calverton born cricketer Wilfred Flowers (1856-1926) was the first Nottinghamshire player to score a 'cricketer's double' - 100 wickets and 1000 runs in the 1883 season. He was the mainstay of the Nottinghamshire side during the county's golden years. He also played for England eight times and took part in the Australia tour in 1884 and 1886. Anthony Hamilton
Born in Nottingham in 1971, snooker player Anthony Hamilton turned professional in 1991. He won his opening match in seven of the eight ranking tournaments last season and his reward was a rise of eight places to No 17. He's dubbed the 'Robin Hood of Snooker'. Having recently suffered from injury, to date he's reached the World Professional Championship quarter-finals in 2000, 2002, he was a China Open runner-up in 2002, British Open runner-up in 1999, Thailand Masters semi-finalist in 1998 and a Benson & Hedges Masters semi-finalist in 1999. Jawaid Khaliq
Local lad Khaliq defeated the holder Willie Wise to claim the IBO World Welterweight title at Nottingham's Harvey Hadden Centre in June 2001. Born in 1970, Jawaid entered the professional arena relatively late in life with his debut in 1997. His career record stands as follows: Total fights: 25, Fights won: 23 (KOs 13), Fights lost: 1, Fights drawn: 1. Harold Larwood MBE / William Voce
Cricketers Larwood (1904-1995) and Voce (1909-1984) started their careers playing for Kirkby in Ashfield. Larwood played 21 test matches and was a bowler of great speed combined with considerable control. He could release lightning deliveries at over 95mph with deadly accuracy. He was a force to be reckoned between 1926 and 1933. A hard hitting and successful batsman, he made 98 against Australia in the final test in 1933. Strongly associated with the famous 1932/33 bodyline tour, his genuine cricketing excellence was often overshadowed by controversy. With his Notts team-mate Voce, Larwood was a pioneer of the infamous ‘bodyline’ bowling used in the 1932-33 tour of Australia. This led to changes in the laws of cricket being introduced in 1934 Bill Voce's name is usually associated with Larwood's. They even had a stand and a pub at Trent Bridge named after them. Voce was a great fast bowler. After Larwood finished playing for England and Voce was recalled in 1936, he was the test sides main strike bowler. He made his test debut aged 20 on a tour to the West Indies in 1929 and played 27 test matches during his career. Greg Owen
Like Lee Westwood, Mansfield's Greg Owen is fast becoming a major name in the golfing world. Indeed, the sportsman, who plays out of the Coxmoor golf club, used to compete regularly against Westwood on the county circuit. Now the two seem destined to meet frequently on professional terms. His best finish on the PGA Tour in 2006 was second at the Bay Hill Invitational Presented by MasterCard. He ranks 22nd in Money Leaders on the PGA Tour. A little known fact is that Greg was ranked No.1 tennis player in Nottinghamshire at age 13! Derek Randall
Born in Retford, Derek played for Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club. His club career spanned 1972 to 1983. During this time, he hit 1,000 runs in a season eight times and scored two double centuries. His highest score of 209 against Middlesex in 1979 was accompanied by 146 in the same game. In late 1976 he started his England career in India. His achievements include 393 matches played for Nottinghamshire, 47 test appearances, and 23,069 county runs including 14 centuries averaging 38.32. He finally hung up his bat in 2001 aged 50. John Reynolds
John Reynolds was born in 1965 in Nottingham, and still lives in the city. He started his career in schoolboy motocross on a home built 80cc 'bike. Now he is a true motorcycle legend with more than 200 British Superbike race starts and fifty victories to his credit. He set nine lap records and came first in 28 races out of a possible 32 in his Championship season of 1992. In October 2005 Reynolds announced his retirement from top level motorcycle racing, after a long and highly successful career that included three British Superbike Championship titles, and highly competitive seasons in World Superbike and Grand Prix racing. Colin Slater MBE
Commentator Colin Slater has been reporting on Notts County for BBC Radio Nottingham since 1968. He was awarded an MBE in 2001 for his services to the community and in recognition of his charity work and long service as a local magistrate. Not originally from Notts, he moved in 1959 to join the Nottingham Evening News as a journalist. When The Evening News merged with The Evening Post in 1963, Colin continued to report on Notts, playing a key role in saving the club from bankruptcy in 1965. He then joined the original cast of BBC Radio Nottingham broadcasters to provide reports on Notts and the County cricket team. William ‘Bendigo’ Thompson
Bendigo (1811-1880) was a bare knuckle fighter born in Nottingham in 1811. He achieved the honoured role of Champion of England in 1835. And in 1855 Bendigo was entered in to the Ring Boxing Hall of Fame. His name originates from the fact that he was called Abednigo by his mother when he was born. He was an exceptional fighter who was scientific, quick and tricky. He fought from a left-hand stance but could shift quickly and hit hard with both fists. Bendigo was also an all-round athlete who was agile in movement and a fast runner. Chris Walker
Nottingham born Chris Walker (born 1972) started racing in motocross in 1986. Following his first road race win at Malory Park in 1994 his career took off. 'Stalker', as he's affectionately known, became one of Britain's most exciting prospects when he started circuit racing in 1995. By the end of 1996 he'd risen through the ranks with ease and scoring points in Grand Prix races. He's challenged each year from 1997 and 2000 for the prestigious British Superbike Championship and attempted the 500cc World Championship in 2001. Chris took part in the World Superbike Championship in 2002 with Kawasaki, in 2003 with Ducati, in 2004 with Petronas and in 2005 he came seventh place with PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse. Lee Westwood
Born in Worksop in 1973, Westwood turned professional in 1993. He made his name in America by winning the Freeport McDermott Classic in 1998 and was voted 1999 European Golfer of the Year. Amongst his other achievements he can boast six European Tour victories; European Golfer of the Year (1998); third place in European Order of Merit (1997-1998); and being a member of the 1997 Ryder Cup winning team. He has finished fifth on the PGA Tour twice in 2006 and ranks 43rd in Money Leaders on the PGA Tour. < also see Notts' footballers Capital for learning | Famous people | Nottingham history | Interesting facts | The Dukeries | Postcards | Virtual tours | Videos | Souvenirs | Nottingham hotels | UK family holidays | Nottingham bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) | Nottingham holiday cottages |
