Sky Sports legend lauds Batley as 'Las Vegas in Yorkshire'

Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling called Batley the "Las Vegas of Yorkshire".
Jeff Stelling, who has presented Gillette Soccer Saturday since the early noughtiesJeff Stelling, who has presented Gillette Soccer Saturday since the early noughties
Jeff Stelling, who has presented Gillette Soccer Saturday since the early noughties

The Gillette Soccer Saturday host made the comment after a Batley man won £6,000 on the show's weekend competition.

Batley's Stuart Holroyd, who works as a Security Manager at Fox's Biscuits, predicted five correct football scores for the weekend games starting on January 11.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Stelling said: "It was a great effort from Stuart Holroyd of Batley.

Batley Variety Club in full swing during a busy night in 2005Batley Variety Club in full swing during a busy night in 2005
Batley Variety Club in full swing during a busy night in 2005

"Batley has brought back memories.

"The Batley Variety Club - one of the great clubs.

"It only closed its doors in 2016."

In charismatic fashion, Mr Stelling then went on to list various artists who played at the world-renowned Kirklees club.

Martin St James, a hypnotist who made his name in the 1960s and performed in television programs in England, Europe, America, Asia and, of course, Australia in the 1970s and 80sMartin St James, a hypnotist who made his name in the 1960s and performed in television programs in England, Europe, America, Asia and, of course, Australia in the 1970s and 80s
Martin St James, a hypnotist who made his name in the 1960s and performed in television programs in England, Europe, America, Asia and, of course, Australia in the 1970s and 80s

"Louis Armstrong, Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones, Gene Pitney, Neil Sedaka, and do you remember Roy Orbison?

"Roy Orbison released an album live at the Batley Variety Club.

"This was Las Vegas in Yorkshire."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Holroyd, who is a Manchester City fan, said: "A friend of the family told me I'd won - I think they were watching Sky Sports when my name came up.

"I think I got them all right, expect one and if I'd got that one completely correct, I'd have been with a chance of winning £250,000.

The score prediction Mr Holroyd tripped up on was Manchester United's 4-0 over Premier League rivals Norwich City after he went with a 2-0 win to the Red Devils.

"But still, winning £6,000, I was in shock and disbelief," said Mr Holroyd.

The Batley man said he will spend the money on getting a few arrangements sorted once he has some free time, and any money left over he will give to his two daughters.