Tom Sayers plaque

Erecting the plaque

The plaque

One final polish...

Carol and Patrick O'Brien

Carl Payne and Tommy Mellis

Tom Sayers the younger (aged 12)

L-R: Paddy Byrne, Malcolm Cordier, Barry Penny, Tom Syers, Nigel Sayers

Back L-R: Paddy Byrne, Ernie Price, Alan Minter, Simon Block, Tommy Mellis; Front L-R: Nigel Sayers, Steve Wood, Winston McKenzie

Laraine Delgado and Nigel Sayers

L-R: Simon Block and Alan Minter

L-R: Tommy Mellis, Simon Block and Alan Minter

Argus photographer Sam Stephenson talks to Tommy Mellis

The great unveiling...

By Henry Bruce

A packed pavement for the unveiling

There was a packed pavement in North Road on Saturday 17th April 2010 for the unveiling of a plaque to the boxer and ex North Laine resident Tom Sayers to mark the 150th anniversary of his winning the first ever Heavyweight boxing title.

Bronze plaque erected

The heavy bronze plaque was erected on the wall of the Guitar Amp and Keyboard shop just around the corner from the Orange Row area where Tom Sayers had previously lived.The plaque was designed and commissioned by Tommy Mellis, President of the Sussex Ex Boxers Association and sculpted by Carl Payne.

Several generations of Sayers present

Amongst the many present were Patrick and Carol O’Brien from Patcham, who are distant relations. Carol used to work in Kensington Gardens during the 1970s in a shop selling decorative plaster mouldings. Laraine Delgado and her mother Sheila Sayers had brought a copy of their family tree showing that Tom Sayers’ brother Charles was their great-grandfather. Nigel Sayers was also there with his son Tom Sayers the younger (aged 12), who was particularly proud of his Great Great GreatGrandfather.

Several ex-boxers present

As well as related family, the event brought with it many ex boxers, promoters and impressarios including Ernie Price, Winston Mckenzie, Stevie Martin, Malcolm Cordier, Paddy Byrne, Simon Block and ex Heavyweight Champion Alan Minter. The unveiling was followed by some liquid refreshment at the King & Queen.

(For more information about Tom Sayers, click here.)

[Also published in the North Laine Runner, No 204, May/June 2010]

All photos by Henry Bruce