Icons to mix with fans at bar

Giants of sport including rugby World Cup winning heroes Jonny Wilkinson, Martin Johnson and boxing superstar Ricky Hatton are set to be welcomed at a Black Country bar.

Darts superstar Phil Taylor, legendary jockey Willie Carson, and Sir Henry Cooper are also on the list to appear at Walsall's Bar Sport in Bridge Street as part of owner Scott Murray's bid to bring sporting legends to the venue.

The famous faces will be appearing there next year and fans will be able to meet and greet them and get their autographs.

Mr Murray plans to bring a sporting legend a month to the venue after teaming up with lager giants Carlsberg to offer fans the top opportunity. The visits will start in the new year and more sporting heroes are being lined up in the meantime.

Mr Murray said: "It will be a great opportunity for people to come to Bar Sport and to meet their sporting heroes. They will be able to meet and greet their heroes and have their autographs and pictures taken.

"Jonny Wilkinson and Martin Johnson were the heroes in the rugby World Cup winning team and are massive figures in the game.

"Phil Taylor is the greatest darts player ever. We have also got legendary jockey and racing pundit Willie Carson lined up to come along. Ricky Hatton is lined up and Sir Henry Cooper who is a regular at Bar Sport says he will be delighted to come and meet and greet fans once again.

"We have teamed up with Carlsberg. It is very exciting times," he went on to say.

By Andy Richardson