Lee: Forever the showman on big stage

ONE of crown green bowling’s greatest characters has died at the age of 89.

Vernon Lee, originally from Shaw, settled in Blackpool and the high point of his career was winning the 1980 Waterloo title.

For much of that final, Lee thrilled the 4,000 crowd and BBC TV viewers with his comeback, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat against Glyn Vernon. His 21-20 victory was the culmination of years of trying to win the Waterloo, the most coveted prize in crown green bowls.

Lee won many tournaments throughout a long and distinguished career, mixing his skills with the woods with a nifty line in footwork. One of his trademarks was an impromptu jig of joy when his bowl won an end.