Bishop is our national hero!
10:45am Tuesday 6th November 2001
TONY Bishop's rivals could literally have green with envy after he won the National Bowling Singles Championship.
He won the English Bowling Association 55s and over title, which was played at Bromley Bowling Club and contested by more than 2,000 players from as far afield as Durham, Devon, Gloucestershire and Norfolk, after coming from 10 shots behind in the final.
Tony, who is from Barnehurst and plays for the Metropolitan Police (Hayes) Bowls Club News Shopper columnist Harry Cole is also a member beat Leicestershire's Michael Haywood 21 shots to 17 in the final.
“It was unbelievable. You get stars in every sport, but I'd never really consider myself as a star,” said Tony. “I just thought I was a good club bowler, no more than that. So to win was a nice big surprise.
“It was like Millwall winning the FA Cup. It's by far the best thing I've done in my bowling career.
“Afterwards, I felt drained, something which I'd never done when I played football earlier in my life.”
The 56-year-old former policeman retired from the force five years ago and is currently working as the senior examiner of the London Knowledge, the course cab drivers have to pass about roads within a six-mile radius of Charing Cross.
The support of Tony's family and friends were, he feels, instrumental in his success.
He said: “The support I had from the club members on the day was amazing. My family, including my mother, father and children, were all there and it was tremendous.
“When you're playing singles, it can be very lonely. You're out there on your own and there's nowhere to hide.
“So it was nice to see a friendly face in the crowd at the end of each end.
“In the final, I was 16-6 down and thought I'd had it. But I was able to come back to win 21-17 and the support in the crowd from my fans helped to make it possible.”
Since he first started bowling 20 years ago, Tony has captained England's Police side, has won the Met Police singles and pairs titles and various club competitions, as well as representing his county.
He was a policeman for 30 years, serving at Peckham, Chelsea, Bow Street and Carter Street.
Tony was quick to point out that, contrary to popular belief, bowls is not full of pensioners, drinking tea and using zimmer frames.
He said: “It is very different to what you think. There are hardly any 60 or 70-year-old bowlers and at the big games between club sides, it's like a football match with lots of shouting.
“David Bryant put bowls on the map and more and more youngsters are taking up game.”
Tony has set his sights on retaining the title next year. He concluded: “To win was never an ambition of mine, but I'd like to win it again next year.”