RETIRED Grenadier Guards RSM David Pritty revealed he was introduced to red wine by former England and Liverpool legend Kevin Keegan!
“My wife Doris and myself were travelling by car from Lytham St Annes in Lancashire to Cabo Roig, via a stop off at St Emillion in France,” said David.
David, who celebrated his 85th birthday in Spain in May, recalled: “We were in France to stay with our Army friends, ex-SAS, Jim and Allison.
“On my 65th birthday we visited a Vineyard – where Doris said she recognised a gentleman and his wife getting out of a Rolls Royce.”
David, who frequently visits the Costa Blanca region with Doris, said: “It was my hero, the great Kevin Keegan!”.
Keegan, OBE, began his career at Scunthorpe, joining Liverpool in 1971, prior to moving to Hamburg in 1977.
Capped 63 times, Keegan, 72, also played at Southampton and Newcastle United.
After retiring he went on to manage Newcastle in 1992-7 and 2008; Fulham (97-99) and Manchester City (2001-05), becoming England manager during 1999-2000.
“Kevin went into the Vineyard with a trolley, selecting his wines. I asked how he was, and told him I don’t drink red wine!
“I also told him it was my birthday – and he opened a bottle of red! He told me ‘drink it slowly – and you tell me, you don’t like it!’ I said it was nice.
“Kevin asked what I was doing for my birthday and mentioned a top wine. I do love red wine.
“It was Kevin, who that day, first introduced me to drinking red wine – I’ve never looked back since!.
“Kevin and his wife returned to their Rolls Royce – and waved goodbye. It was a great afternoon,” added David.
