Big sporting night for Supermarine 

Four of Swindon's top sporting stars made it an evening to remember at the Marriott Hotel last night

Golfing hero David Howell, Commonwealth gold medal-winning boxer Jamie Cox, STFC legend Paul Bodin and former fighter Ricky Porter were all guests at a special fundraising dinner for Supermarine Football Club.

Massive fundraiser: the 15th Supermarine Sporting Dinner

And in a specially arranged question-and-answer session, compered by BBC Radio Swindon's Shaun Hodgetts, the quartet enthralled a packed audience with stories and humorous anecdotes about their sporting life.

They included Howell's admission at how nervous he was when taking part in last year's Ryder Cup - and a very funny experience he once had in St. Andrews; Paul Bodin's on that penalty in 1993 and insight into life at the County Ground under managers Lou Macari, Ossie Ardiles and the personality he described as the best player he had ever played with - Glenn Hoddle.

Ringmasters Jamie Cox - who chose the event to confirm he is turning professional - and Ricky Porter also recounted their experiences of battling it out against their most feared opponents, both home and abroad.

On the coach: (l to r) Paul Bodin, Jamie Cox, Shaun Hodgetts, David Howell and Ricky Porter

A charity auction, which included prizes such as England shirts signed by the likes of David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and John Terry - and a one hour golf lesson with David Howell - raised £6,000 pounds.

"It's been one of our most successful dinners ever," commented chairman Cliff Puffett, "all the money raised will go towards re-development of our Hunts Copse ground to provide sporting facilities for the club and a new generation of youngsters in Swindon."