Our Birmingham Gold Cup Lunch will once again be taking place in the Banqueting Suite, at one of the country’s most famous and iconic cricket grounds, Edgbaston. Cheltenham Gold Cup Friday is the sport at its absolute best, attracting some of the best National Hunt horses in the world to compete over the hallowed turf at Prestbury Park!
On what is sure to be another thrilling day, we are delighted to welcome as our very special guest one of English football’s greatest ever players, former England, Liverpool and Watford star, John Barnes. Our event will also feature a comedy set from top comedian Jack Skipper! With live music from our Irish band, a superb three course lunch, the full Cheltenham card on our giant screen, our in-house bookmaker, and racing tipster service, this is an event not to be missed.
John Barnes
One of the most naturally gifted wingers in the history of English football, John’s early career was spent at Watford, where he was under the watchful eye of managerial great Graham Taylor. He went on to become a legend at Vicarage Road, playing almost 300 games in all competitions, scoring 85 goals and becoming a regular England international. It was inevitable that a giant would come calling, and with Liverpool the dominant side in British football, it was no surprise when Kenny Dalglish made Barnes his marquee signing. Playing alongside some of the greatest players to don the shirt, John quickly became an integral part of the side; he was a key player in the side which won the 1987/88 title, playing 38 times and scoring 15 goals, with John winning both the Footballer of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year Awards. John went on to win the League title again in 1989/90, with other trophies including the FA Cup in the tragic Hillsborough year of 1989, and again in 1991. In total, he appeared 403 times for Liverpool in all competitions, scoring 106 goals. John also represented England for over a decade (79 caps/11 goals), playing in the 1986 and 1990 World Cup Finals, and the 1988 European Championships, missing out in 1992 due to injury. Inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2005, John was also named in the PFA Team of the Century (1977-1996) in 2007.
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Jack Skipper
Rising star of the UK comedy circuit, Jack Skipper has made a big impression with his sharp observational humour and down-to-earth delivery. A former carpet fitter turned stand-up, Jack shot to prominence with his viral social media sketches, amassing millions of views and a loyal online following, including 15 million likes on TikTok and 290,000 followers on Instagram. His relatable stories about everyday life, family, and growing up in the suburbs strike a chord with audiences of all ages. With sell-out shows and appearances at top comedy clubs across the country, Jack is fast becoming one of the most exciting names in British comedy. He is about to star in the Stand-Up Sketch Show on ITV2 and has been supporting high-profile comics, Russell Kane and Suzi Ruffell on tour. Expect plenty of laughs and a brilliantly honest take on modern life.
Dave Fulton (Host)
Dave enjoyed a 15-year professional cricket career with Kent, playing in 200 First Class matches with an average in the high 30s, and over 100 one day games. His best season came in 2001, when he scored an incredible 1892 First Class runs at an average of just under 76, being crowned PCA Player of the Year. Since retiring from the game in 2006, Dave has forged a career as a cricket journalist and event host, appearing regularly on Sky Sports’ cricket coverage and Sky Sports News. A huge sports fan, David has previously hosted our Lord’s Long Room and Birmingham Gold Cup Lunches on numerous occasions, as well as a number of boxing, darts and football events.
Edgbaston Stadium
We are delighted to be holding our event in the Banqueting Suite at Edgbaston Stadium, which is a fantastic large facility, perfectly suited to our event. This is the stadium’s premium pitch-facing facility, enjoying magnificent views over the middle, and plenty of natural light. Our guests will enjoy quality dining and service for which Edgbaston is rightly renowned, with ample complimentary parking for all attendees.
