Jim Turner-‘The Man’ behind the English Premier League cup

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Category: football

Published on Sunday, 29 January 2012 13:37

Written by Sankha DLT

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Manchester United the holders of the Barcleys Premier League recently tied up with global mobile Giants Bharati Airtel. During the launch featured two Manchester Utd. Legends while the Barcleys Premier League Trophy was also on display.

ThePapare caught up with the man who guards the coveted cup, 62 year old former Policeman and die-hard Manchester United fan, Jim Turner.

TP: How did it all start?

JT: I have been a Manchester Utd. fan from the age of 10. After I finished my education I joined the England Police where I served for some time before I moved to the security department at Old Trafford where I was finally selected to carry out this esteemed job. The club football is like a religion to me and I always wanted to be a part of this honoured club.

TP: How many countries have you visited with the cup?

JT: I have gone to 19 different countries from 2011 May and this is the most times we’ve travelled with the cup so far. We are hoping to visit 25 countries during the coming months.

TP: How many people guard the trophy?

JT: It depends. Usually around 5-6 people guard the trophy.

TP: What is its worth?

JT: I can’t say clearly but it’s over 200, 000 pounds if I’m not mistaken (The current Premier League trophy was created by Royal Jewellers Asprey of London. It weighs 4 st (25 kg; 56 lb), and is 76 cm (30 in) tall, 43 cm (17 in) wide and 25 cm (9.8 in) deep)

TP: How does the trophy travel?

JT: Man Utd. purchases a separate ticket for the trophy. I place it right next to me and it travels in a custom made container. I use special gloves when transporting so that it minimizes any damage to the trophy.

TP: Are there any replicas of the trophy?

JT: There are 3 versions of the trophy. The first one is the one we keep at the Museum. And there are two other trophies which are almost identical. One has a screw on type ‘CROWN’ while the other one is a push-on ‘CROWN’.

The screw on one is the one which is used for celebrating etc while the push on one is used for display.

TP: how many security personal guards the ‘Old Trafford’ stadium?

JT: There are in access of 400 securty guard at Old Trafford and around 5-6 guard’s guarding the cup.

TP: Where is the trophy heading to next?

JT: We will be touring India on the 4th of February.

About the trophy

Its main body is solid sterling silver and silver gilt, while its plinth is made of malachite, a semi-precious stone. The plinth has a silver band around its circumference, upon which the names of the title-winning clubs are listed. Malachite's green colour is also representative of the green field of play. The design of the trophy is based on the heraldry of Three Lions that is associated with English football.

Two of the lions are found above the handles on either side of the trophy – the third is symbolised by the captain of the title winning team as he raises the trophy, and its gold crown, above his head at the end of the season. In 2004, a special gold version of the trophy was commissioned to commemorate Arsenal winning the title without a single defeat.

 

 

 

 

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