After The Laughs…..Health Comes First

A major health scare has prompted Steve Kindon to bring an end to his award-winning career as an after-dinner speaker.

The former Wolves forward has been suffering from long covid and also recently spent eight days in hospital with a heart problem.

He is back in upbeat mood and committed to a healthier lifestyle but admits the pandemic makes a return to the circuit highly unlikely.

“I was 70 in December and have not spoken at a dinner for virtually a year,” he said today. “On top of that, I don’t think people are going to be rushing to sit in a crowded room for another six months.

“It seems like the right time for me to leave it behind. I’m not saying I wouldn’t help out a mate or do something worthwhile for charity but I think I am too old to be driving back from Bristol last thing at night on more than a very occasional basis.

“I have stopped smoking, so that should save me a couple of grand a year, cut out my other two poisons and will be drinking sensibly when I do start again.

“I have been teetotal this year and I am trying to lose up to 20lbs so, taking my five tablets a day and going for sensible exercise on walks seems a better bet than driving up the motorways in the early hours.

“I had a blood test last week and a follow-up appointment this morning which has put my mind at ease much more but I had to make some changes.

“We are all self-employed and I have had no furlough, so it has been a time for having to do things differently anyway. This part of my life has been wonderful for many years but all things come to an end.”

Kindon, a former sports after-dinner speaker of the year, has been a regular ‘turn’ over the seasons both at Molineux and when helping his stricken former Burnley pal Dave Thomas at an event at Bobbington in October, 2017.

He also remains very good friends with his fellow Warringtonian John Richards, who he had cause to contact a few days ago when an old Wolves match was shown on TV.

We at Wolves Heroes have recently watched ten minutes on YouTube of the club’s 4-2 defeat at Liverpool in 1972-73, in which both players scored, but Kindo’s eyes were drawn around the same time towards a game against Villa at Molineux just over 40 years ago.

“I think it was on The Big Match and I heard them say that Wolves’ game would be on after the Arsenal v Forest one which was the main feature,” he added.

“I called John to let him know it was coming up in half an hour or so but it turned out to be the one where he was sent off. I can tell you he texted me back later but can’t begin to tell you what he said!”