Rugby stars change clubs in Shropshire

England world cup winner Vickery and five-time Premiership champion Stimpson were among a group of about 100 who attended Shropshire Wooden Spoon's annual golf day.

Stimpson, who played for Leicester Tigers and Newcastle Falcons in a glittering career, lead one of 15 golf teams of four on the day with his side finishing fifth overall.

Vickery then joined the crowd for the evening to regale diners with tales from his own superb career, which included 73 England caps, as well as his thoughts on the forthcoming World Cup.

Shropshire Wooden Spoon chairman Glyn Dobbs said: "It was a tremendous day and people came from all over the country.

"We had two teams from London, one team from Manchester and one from Milton Keynes, so it shows the dedication of the people involved with Wooden Spoon that they are prepared to travel so far.

"Fortunately we also had a good day weather-wise with 15 teams taking part and another 20-or-so coming in the evening to listen to Phil Vickery. It was a really good day."

He added that the presence of two former British Lions had helped swell the attendance and, hopefully, the coffers.

Proceeds from the event, which will be used for projects to help children with learning difficulties, are still being counted.

And Dobbs said: "When you have got two British Lions in Shropshire it is a fairly unusual situation."

A cheque for £3,000 was also presented to Wooden Spoon on the night which was raised at The Shropshire's Lady Captain's Day in June.

The event attracted 127 players and lady captain Vicky Hughes said: "We have been members of Wooden Spoon for a number of years and when I became lady captain I needed to select a charity.

"We always raise money for charity in our captaincy year and it was an obvious choice for me to pick Wooden Spoon. It is a very worth-while cause."

The money will be used to help provide golf lessons for children with learning difficulties both at The Shropshire and outside the club.