With the new year approaching, we decided to put our readers to the test. But, rather than play into the hands of the geeks, we decided to play dirty with a quiz where no one is expected to know all the answers. If we are wrong, we will gladly publish the names of all the winners on New Years Day. So here goes:

 

1) Giving a nod to the huge tartan influence over English greyhound racing, our first question concerns the Jocks. Back in the early 1980s, the future Corals Head of Stadia David MacDonald used to frequent a Paisley betting shop and occasionally share a bevvy with its manager. Who?

a) SIS’s Gordon Bissett, b) Shawfield boss Billy King, c) William Hill Head of Stadia, Joe O’Donnell

 

2) Back in the early 1950s, the young vet Paddy Sweeney, was travelling to Appleby Horse Fair when he spent some time chatting to a leading horse trader. Who was the young future trainer travelling with his dad?

a) Charlie Lister, b) Ernie Gaskin, 3) David Nicholson

 

3) Think you know Nick Savva? Which of these is true?

a) He has three kidneys b) He has scored a maximum 147 at snooker c) He speaks Russian

 

4) The first of two questions about GBGB chairman Tom Kelly (and yet another Jock!). Tom was born on 20 August 1943. Who was born on the same day?

a) The Dalai Lama b) Saddam Hussain c) Kinsley boss John Curran

 

5) Tom was brought up in the same Edinburgh village of Gilmerton as who?

a) Alex Ferguson b) Sean Connery c) Annette Crosbie

 

6) Who, with his family, sponsors the Dennis Thomas/Knockies Jet Launceston Easter Derby in Tasmania in memory of his uncle who won the race in the 1950s?

a) GRA Chief Exec Clive Feltham b) Hove trainer Derek Knight c) Romford racing manager Peter O’Dowd

 

7) Which former kennelhand paraded the 1981 St.Leger winner Fox Watch?

a) Graham Holland b) Liz McNair c) Tony Collett

 

8) Following the recent death of former England coach Don Howe, we want to know, which former trainer played in the same West Bromwich Albion team as the great man?

a) Peter Billingham b) Colin McNally c) Paddy Hancox

 

Anybody who thinks they know the answers can email us at [email protected]. Best of luck, you’ll need it