Wimbledon who is the cowboy

But we can reveal that he is one David Spearing, and, at 75, he is the Championships' longest-serving steward. He's held the Centre Court seat for 15 years — and shows no sign of giving it up.

Mr Spearing spends most of the year in Abu Dhabi, where he has lived for more than 40 years and where he runs a structural engineering consultancy which bears his name. It is also in Abu Dhabi where he acquired the Stetson hat which he has sported for good luck at every final since the s. He is an active member of the British Business Group and a well-known and respected figure in the Emirati community. But it is the June fortnight every summer where his location downsizes to "a friend's spare room" and the job is to get up close and personal with the public as well as the players.

I'm up at six each morning and get to the Championships an hour later. I make the announcement for the queues at 7am. It is this protocol that Mr Spearing has followed religiously since , when a friend invited him to try out as a steward.

His die-hard dedication and loyalty have propelled him up the ladder, and now he acts as host to the families and coaches in the players' box on Centre Court. Mr Spearing, who says he was good friends with the Henman family back in the day, has now struck up acquaintances with the Federers and, of late, the Nadals. Of Andy Murray's family, he says they were "a little bit depressed" after the player's semi-final defeat on Friday.

Eventually, though, they'll be right as rain. No one better than Andy realises that he's got to pick himself up. Not that Mr Spearing is too concerned. His predictions for a British victory lie firmly with next summer, by way of an odd calculation. Thirty-eight years later I joined the Wimbledon stewards. That was If you add 38 years to that, it's David has had a constant presence in Centre Court and has been there for over 45 years, and he now has the title of Hororary Steward.

Stewards usually help guide people attending the matches, as well as helping customers in various other ways while attending Wimbledon. FB house promo. Share this article via facebook Share this article via twitter Share this article via messenger Share this with Share this article via email Share this article via flipboard Copy link.

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