POSH PIZZA

Peter Boizot died recently aged 89 and his obituary may be read in several national papers today. Who, why? Peter Boizot was a self made man who invested money in his local Football League Club, Peterborough United.

He was born into a modest family, near the city and during his early years he enjoyed singing in the Cathedral choir and worked hard in the class room, gaining a place at St Catharine's College, Cambridge to read History. He loved the Mediterranean life style, travel, jazz and sports especially hockey and soccer. Having introduced pizza to an English "audience" that didn't really appreciate the Italian dish, he gradually made money through Pizza Express, with cute selling techniques, jazz entertainment and other novel additions to the dining experience. Anybody keen on making a fortune should read about his life and simple ideas for a few tips.

I am interested in Peter Boizot because I met him occasionally at college reunions and watched jealously, as his kind donations to "our" college sports' fund usually gave hockey a financial boost, a sport he continued to play into later life. He didn't need to improve the soccer pitches at Cambridge colleges, which of course were set on the land where the FA Laws were seriously modified, as early as the 1850s and of course were flat as pancakes, on very fertile Fenland soil.

This weekend the crowd at the ABAX Stadium, Peterborough United, from League One, will pay tribute to a man who gave the Posh a push. His investment during the 1990s led them to promotion in 2000 as his left Pizza Express to find its own way, whilst he indulged in his favourite sports with a joy for life.

In 1921 local coach, Pat Tirrell, announced that was looking for Posh Players to play in a Posh Football team, when he founded Fletton United. In 1923 he added Peterborough to the club name, hoping to attract local businesses to finance his campaign as they joined the Southern League. At that time the club was fondly known as the Brickies, linked to the local industry.
In 1932 the club went bankrupt and it reformed in 1934 as Peterborough United, playing in the Midland League. Posh joined the Football League in 1960 and immediately won the Division 4 title. They also has quite a reputation as FA and other Cup giant killers and for winning the Football League Trophy in 2013-14. Centre-forward Terry Bly holds a record that still stands, for scoring 52 goals in the 1960-1 league season.
In 2002, Victoria Beckham filed a complaint to the UK Patent office over the use of the name Posh. Her claim was unsuccessful.