Ive just read the george kerr biography and i think you got it right the man has given judo so much,not only as a coach but a decent human being giving youth a direction and standards that are very rare nowadays,Mr kerr though years of hard work has shown what a great nation can produce

Posted by: Donnie Sinclair on 2006-02-08 14:51:03

As an old judoka (56) who started early (10) and quit early (20)I cannot quite define the effect that judo had on the person I subsequently became. But I know I'm a better person because of my brief association with this magical sport, and more importantly, because of the magical people I encountered along the way. When I say 'encountered' this does not necessarily mean I knew them well, or in some cases even that I met them - but they were the people we looked up to, talked about and revered - as part of the camaraderie that was, and I hope still is, Judo. Therefore George Kerr was a figure of legend to youngsters like me - brimming with pride as their mum knitted (or in my case, dyed) that little red 'first mon' onto their belt. And as the grades progressed, no matter to what modest level, does anyone feel that that even the coveted (public perception!) first dan had a patch on that little strip of red which was not only a first mon but a first lesson, a first 'buzz' on th!
at most important fact about life: Hard Work = Achievement = Self Respect. Etc Etc? Sorry, forgot I'm preaching to the converted.

Some names I recall from these earlier days. Some I've met (usually in the course of being Ipponed), others just by repute. Sure I can get more on some of the more distinguished via another internet search - but I'd much rather speak to judo folk than a search engine. The names: Most fondly Andy Bull, my first teacher at the Edinburgh Judo Academy, which was down the stairs right next to the Edinburgh Playhouse. (Maybe never hit the heights as a competitor, Andy, but was a good and dedicated teacher. I know of course that troubled Andy died a good few years ago. When you are a child, your teachers always seem so "experienced" but I figured out in fact that when I was 10 and starting, Andy couldn't have been any more than 21 -which makes the care, consideration and 'life teaching' that he put into his classes all the more remarkable. That was one of the reasons I stayed there when a few others jumped ship to what was then George's spanking new Edinburgh Club in Hanover Stree!
t (the original one). My best mate at the Edinburgh Judo Academy was George Dickie - we always went for an after practice coke together at a famous Leith Street cafe/chip shop (when there WAS a Leith Street). It was almost directly opposite from the Club (and therefore the Playhouse). Does the Deep Sea CAfe or something like that ring a bell with anyone? Anyhow, back to George. I remember him retiring from the competitive circuit after winning the Scottish Middleweight? title for the umpteenth time. It was at Meadowbank Stadium and I remember the presentation of his "retirement chair". Twenty years later I visited him in the Edinburgh Club and recounted the story. 'Whatever happened to the chair' I asked. You've guessed it: 'I'm sitting on it" he replied. Not seen George since then, but a recent internet photo made it almost impossible to believe that he's only a kick in the arse off 70.

Was really sad to learn that the Edinburgh Club is no more - even though I was never a member myself. At first I felt 'this is really the end of an era'.

I don't know the facts or reasons for its sale, but on reflection, I of course came to the realisation that we are only fond of buildings because of the people we associate with them.

So the Edinburgh Club, the Edinburgh Judo Academy, the 'Tora Scotia' (seems to ring a bell) - all gone physically but alive in the values they taught us - and maybe in the values we passed on to our children whether they ever practiced Judo or not!.

These values I think particularly revealed in the book written by Kerr and the big Dutch guy he guided to two successive Olympic Golds (Not lazy research - Internet down while trying to check name of Peter Seisbacher?, Seinbacher? - "butter yir' ain effin' toastbacher?". I'm sure George put it more politely.

To any distant voices or new found friends.

A'Ra Best

Posted by: John Finlayson on 2006-02-17 11:10:35

The Tora Scotia club is alive and well.

Posted by: Marc Heath on 2006-03-21 11:57:01

Edinburgh is now running under Billy Cusack.

Posted by: Judoka on 2006-06-27 10:35:09

George Keir a great judoka. we once fought in hollyrood park at a judo get togther. He represented Tora and I budokan a great contest he won and we both got medals. Any of the old budokan boys or gals out there??

Posted by: Frank Watt on 2006-10-06 14:05:28

I like Judo very much

Posted by: Shakib on 2006-10-30 18:12:29