We all know what sport brings to the party – thrills, spills, agony, ecstasy – but aside from the winning and losing it can also throw up some jolly interesting names.

George Best was pretty much the best when he played football back in the day and the recently retired sprinter Usain Bolt did just that… bolt out of the starting blocks.

Closer to home, Mike Wood’s name is very apt for the game of skittles – a game played on wooden alleys with wooden balls and pins.

The now 72-year-old started playing the game in 1980 and is a big supporter of a sport that has helped him get through some tough times.

And he’s given plenty back to the sport, too, taking on the role of treasurer of the Tewkesbury and District Skittles League in 1982 – a position he still holds today.

“I love the game,” he said. “I play for the Anvils in Division Two and it’s a great night out.

“The sport has been really good for me because it kept me going when I lost my wife Joyce 14 years ago. I wouldn’t say it’s been my saviour but it certainly helped to keep me going during the difficult times.”

And that’s not the only reason Mike has for being grateful to skittles.

“I used to be a bit addicted to one-arm bandits,” he admitted. “When I became treasurer of the league I thought I’d better stop playing them because I didn’t want people thinking I was putting skittles money into the machines. I’ve never touched one since!”

The Tewkesbury League was formed in 1960 and two of the founder members – Trevor Greening and Terry Sharp – are still very much involved to this day.

“Trevor is the league’s Chairman and Terry is now President,” said Mike. “In those days there was just one division of 12 teams and three of them – Village Inn, who Trevor plays for, Merretts and Northway – are still in the league.”

For the record, the other nine founding teams were Tewkesbury Fire Brigade, Barrel Inn, Drum and Monkey, Crown and Harp, St John Ambulance, Rebels, Shutter Inn, Whiteonians and White Bear. The league has certainly come a long way since those days.

Fifteen years or so ago there were 80 teams in the league and although this has now dropped back to four divisions of 14, Mike remains happy with the numbers being rolled out week in, week out.

“There are also two women’s divisions of 14 teams each and we also have a mixed summer league as well,” he said. “The men’s league hasn’t lost a team for four years and we’re certainly surviving.

“There aren’t as many alleys as there used to be and shift work hasn’t helped but we’ve still got plenty playing.”

And Mike has been equally encouraged by the number of youngsters taking up the sport.

“A few years ago we introduced a new rule that allowed 16-year-olds to start playing,” Mike explained. “They had to be 17 by the end of the season in April and it was also at the landlord’s discretion, but it’s brought quite a few youngsters into the sport.”

One of the great things about skittles, of course, is that it can be played by people of almost any age.

“We had a 93-year-old playing a few years ago,” said Mike. “His name was Bill Miles. Sadly, he’s no longer with us but his son Budgie and grandson Chris still play for the Wye Emms.”

Mike also plays with his son and grandson – Adrian and Lee – and this year they have been playing alongside new recruit, Chris Hayward.

“He’d lived in Tewkesbury for 39 years and didn’t know anything about skittles, never even seen a match played,” said Mike. “Now he’s playing for us and loves it.”

And while Chris has a long way to go to match the longevity of some of his colleagues, at least he has got Mike close by to give him some handy hints if he needs any.

“I’m not a glory hunter,” said Mike, “I just play for the fun of it. But I was the individual front pin champion in 1985.”

That’s no mean feat of course but Mike is just as happy to record the good work the league does every year.

“We’ve raised more than £30,000 for charity since I’ve been treasurer,” said Mike. “We donate to air ambulance and other local charities.”

Mike plays his skittles at Champagne Charlies in Quay Street, Tewkesbury, which was once a nightclub.

And he certainly has a few neat moves when it comes to playing the game he loves.

“I always like to average 60,” he said. “If I get 60 I think I’m doing alright.”

So, does he ever get nervous on the alley?

“Only if I haven’t knocked over any pins with my first two bowls, you don’t want to get a beaver,” he laughed.