Mike Lycett, Pigeon Chat Report 05.11.2008

  
   MARK WEBSTER

  MNFC OLD BIRD CENTRE CHAMPION – 2008

  WARWICKSHIRE FED CHANNEL CHAMPION 2007 and 2008

Warwickshire’s Mark Webster is making vast and impressive in-roads within the sport of pigeon racing. Having moved to a new location only a handful of seasons ago, his results are only becoming more and more impressive as each season goes on.

In 2008 Mark is the worthy winner of not only the Old Bird Averages in his Section when competing with the MNFC, but also is quite easily one of THE elite lofts competing in the Midlands National Flying Club – and he flies from the “Centre Section” too.

If this were not enough, in 2008 he also retained the crown that he won in 2007 – being the Warwickshire Federation Channel Champion. So, back to back victories at Federation level too in 2007 and 2008 to add to his MNFC Old Bird Centre Champion tag.

I first spoke to Mark back in 2006 when I was the Press Officer for the MCC. Mark had finished 2nd Section 4th Open MCC Fougeres against 1,890 birds which was a truly tremendous performance on the day. I sense that this performance really alerted him to what was achievable at Classic and National level if he put his mind (and his pigeons) to it. His first race of any consequence with the MNFC was only in 2007 from Falaise which proved itself to be a terribly testing race for many competing members. Mark’s “mettle” was shown by timing 5 birds in a shade over 90 seconds to claim 7th, 10th, 11th, 15th and 17th Section and 36th, 44th, 46th, 58th and 104th Open. In this race 857 members entered 7,815 birds.

Even though I’d not spoken to Mark, I was well aware of his achievements at his new address. My own “area of comfort” was sprinting, and I’ve seen Mark put up some tremendous efforts on land. A winner of something like 13 x 1st Sections at Fed level and 10 x 1st Federations (including winning two different Federations on the same day) An example of some of Mark’s better performances would be :

1st Federation 1,293 birds

1st and 5th Federation 1,864 birds

1st, 2nd and 3rd Federation 2,462 birds

1st, 2nd, 3rd, 16th and 20th Federation 1,019 birds

1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th Federation 2,062 birds

As you can see, Mark is no overnight wonder. He applies logic, common sense and meticulous attention to detail (and plenty of passion too) into making sure that if he does something he does it properly.

Mark doesn’t have an array of partners at the lofts all day long. He’s a one man band. No help from anybody – apart from a patient, supportive and understanding young family and wife of course. His lofts are extensive and truly immaculate. A tribute to his own skills as a builder / joiner. The lofts may well be extensive, but don’t be fooled into thinking that Mark is a big team man – quite the opposite in fact.

If Mark’s not careful, like so many fanciers he suffers with his chest, and therefore the in-mates are afforded as much space as is possible. At National level, Mark’s average entry would be no more than 8 entries per race – and if anything that’s being generous – it’s likely to be fewer than this.

To operate at this level in the MNFC is a colossal achievement. Why did Mark not win the Combined Averages? Well, I guess it would have helped if he had raced Young Birds in 2008! Mark however made the decision that he wasn’t going to race babies in 2008, but take his wife and children away on holiday instead. That tells you everything you need to know about the man I guess.

The MNFC covers a truly wide area, has a membership well in excess of 3,000 members and many of the best lofts in the country are trying really really hard to win silverware in this organisation. To win the OId Bird Averages at Section level you need to perform consistently well in all races. You cannot afford a slip up. You’ve got to “step up to the plate” on each and every occasion.

Here is Mark’s first timer in the MNFC races in 2008

291st Open Falaise

2nd Open MNFC Tours

448th Open Fougeres

9th Open MNFC Saintes

25th Open MNFC Bergerac

As you can see, there’s not much room for error there – and remember, Saintes and Bergerac were held on the same day.

Open races it could be said don’t hold any particular fears for Mark and his pigeons either, historically he’s won the majority of Open races – winning 3 out of 5 entered that he’s ever competed in – even if they have a 5 bird limit on for example, including taking a swift 1,2,3,4 twice out of the three wins etc.

Don’t just be swayed by numbers and figures though – because Mark most certainly isn’t. Ask him which his most favourite performance is and he may well say “Just Jim” when he was timed to win 1st Section 2nd Open MNFC Tours against 3,214 birds.

However, in the same breath I’ll bet he mentions his “Bella” hen that claimed 3rd Section 17th Open 4,550 birds in the BICC Falaise race. The thing that really turns Mark on about her performance was that the two birds that beat her in her Section (in a NW wind) were flying to Portsmouth and Southampton respectively. Now that’s a long way from Warwickshire!

So, what family of pigeons does Mark race? Well, a very interesting one I’d say. Mark’s a very secure individual – he doesn’t get carried away by names and fads. He does however get carried away and obsessed by just thoroughly good pigeons. In terms of “family” Mark is happy and secure enough to introduce a pigeon if it has a strong heritage of outstanding performances in its immediate heritage.

Mark’s views are simply this. A pigeon first has to have balance, be of medium build, have super smooth silky feathering and a bright eye (not interested in eye sign just as a sign for their health). Once they have all these it is just down to results, Mark will buy pigeons from more or less anywhere PROVIDING they are racing the sky out and they have the previous selection qualities.

As I say, he’s a strong and secure individual. He has removed pigeons from the loft that have won 1st prizes but continue to breed pigeons of poor structure and dry feathering. I wonder how many other fanciers would do that?

You can see that whatever policies that Mark has adopted and is adhering to, it’s clearly one that’s a recipe for success. He’s done very well sprinting, and once his attention was turned towards Classics and Nationals the same results have followed, perhaps almost inevitably.

The “Webster” family of pigeons are a modern day cultivation, operating successfully at the highest level of racing in the UK. Anybody that can win the MNFC Old Bird Averages - a club which must boast well in excess of 3,000 members simply must be doing something very right indeed.

Mike Lycett
Pigeon Chat Promoter
05.11.2008