 Russell and Barbara Poluck There can’t be many on Dial-a-Cab that don’t at least know of Russell Poluck (T55). He has been with the Society for almost 20 years, is Chairman of the Taxi Driver of the Year Charity and for his work with both that organisation and the War Disabled charity, in 2001 he was awarded the MBE. In March of this year, Russell – who is diabetic - was taken to hospital after fainting. His blood pressure was, unusually for him, very low and his heart was beating irregularly. However, he was sent |
RUSSELL POLUCK’S HEART ATTACK |
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home. Russell’s wife Barbara takes up the story... "Two days later the same thing happened, but this time we went to a different hospital where they took a blood test straight away. This showed he’d had a mild heart attack. Diabetics do not always get the obvious signs leading to a heart attack, such as pains in the chest or arm." Barbara asked Call Sign to put out a warning to drivers – adding that although she is not medically trained in any way, she has learned a lot since Russell’s heart attack. "Taxi drivers aren’t always the healthiest of people, sitting in their cabs while driving around London and doing very little exercise. But if you get |
any of the symptoms that
Russell had – especially if you are diabetic - please demand a
blood test before the hospital sends you home This will show if
you have had a heart attack. Please do not leave it. I know you
would be worried about losing your licence, but your health
comes first and I’m sure that once you are fit again, you will
be able to pass the 9 minute treadmill test to get behind the
wheel again." Barbara told us that Russell is now well on the road to recovery and hopes to be back behind the wheel very soon. She also asked Call Sign to thank everyone that had emailed and phoned asking after Russell’s health, as that was an encouragement for him to get back to work... |
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Lee off to Ashford Town |
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Two seasons back, Dial-a-Cab driver,
Lee Pearce (J71) was starring in goal for non-league
Bedfont Green and helped them gain promotion as Champions. Yet
towards the tail end of the following season and in a move that
may not have shocked football, but certainly shocked Call
Sign, Lee
was dropped from the team following a defeat where he
admitted fault for two of the opponent’s goals.
Exactly 12 months earlier, Lee had been
bubbling when Call Sign spoke to him after Bedfont
Green had gone top of the Combined Counties Premier League
and were well on the way to that promotion. Lee admitted to us that his performances at the time hadn’t been up to the high standards the DaC driver sets himself, but his form had been improving before the bombshell hit – manager Dennis Bainborough dropped him. Soon after, Lee was signed up by Egham but there was no love affair there and following a dressing room bust-up, Lee was signed by Middlesex team Ashford Town who play in the Zameratto Central League along with two of his old clubs – Bedfont Green and Hitchin. "I’m looking forward to the new season," Lee told Call Sign |
 Lee in action against Division 2 Bradford City. Pic courtesy Andy Nunn It’s professionalism leaves my former clubs standing!" One of Lee’s first games for Ashford was against Football League division 2 outfit, Bradford City and Ashford slaughtered Peter Taylor’s Bantams by 3 – 0. True it was only a pre-season friendly, but a win is a win and one as clear-cut as that needs heeding by the other Zameratto Central teams. Ironically, Ashford’s manager, Jamie Lawrence, was a former Bradford City player. Incidentally, Peter Taylor was very successful in managing the England under 23 team several years back and made also one appearance as the full England coach, famously making David Beckham his captain for the first time... |
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