6 of the Best – McBookie’s Paul Petrie

This week’s 6 of the Best takes us to the northernmost country of the United Kingdom, and to Scotland, where Harry Kane sadly brought today’s interviewee – McBookie Co-Founder and Director Paul Petrie – back down to earth in the World Cup qualification rounds.

Keep reading to find out about a holiday conundrum, Tom Cruise toss-ups and three minutes of footballing mayhem.

Best Holiday

I met my wife on a boys holiday to Gran Canaria so she will kill me if I don’t pick that destination. It has certainly had the biggest impact on my life.

When I was younger I went on a family holiday to South Africa where my Grandparents were living at the time. We spent a month visiting family in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg, and then spent two cracking days at the Kruger National Park.  That would be my other favourite.

Best Album

I was in my prime during the Brit Pop era so it would have to be “Be Here Now” by Oasis. We had gone to see them play at Loch Lomond the year before so the anticipation for the new material was gigantic. The reviews weren’t great but as far as I was concerned it was a classic.

Best Sporting Experience

The best 3 minutes was during the Scotland v England game at Hampden during the recent World Cup qualifiers, when Leigh Griffiths banged in his quick fire free kick double. We were still on a high after the equaliser, and when Scotland were awarded another free kick from a near identical position, we knew he had the ability to do it again. It was utter mayhem. Sadly we were brought down to earth when Harry Kane equalised.

Best Film

It is a toss-up between Top Gun and Mission Impossible. Or indeed anything with Tom Cruise in it. Cocktail, Rain Man, The Colour of Money. I think it changes every week but it will always be one of his movies.

Best Book

I love all the Irvine Welsh books and my favourite is Glue. I read it on holiday and was laughing so much I had tears flooding down my eyes around the pool and got some very unusual looks.  One of the characters uses the phrase “Think Souness” when he is trying to encourage his mates to do something. Me and my friends still use it.

Best Bet

AP McCoy had just jumped the last on Don’t Push It and it was obvious he was going to win the Grand National for the first time in 15 attempts. I quickly jumped online and before he had even crossed the line managed to have £25 on at 25/1 to win Sports Personality Of The Year. It was very snidey but I was obviously very happy with myself and even more so when the racing fraternity started a campaign to help him win it