A Huyton man is celebrating his final day at Aintree racecourse after 60 years of service.
Eddie Fullerton, 74, was just 14-years-old when his mum asked him to tag along to the famed racecourse. Reluctant at first, Eddie soon landed a job as a porter before going on to work at multiple racecourses for the next 60 years.
An Aintree legend, Eddie is known and loved by staff, festival goers and jockeys alike. Speaking to the ECHO on his final day, he said: "I'm feeling well, it's been a long time, I've met an awful lot of nice people on the journey."
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Eddie continued: "I'm just sorry I can't say goodbye to some of my friends I've met along the way - I've met a few here on the three days I've been here and it was nice to see them and they've all wished me all the best for my retirement. That's been great, you know - I will miss it but it's time to put my feet up, I think, and have a little rest. That's it, now."
Explaining how he started all those years ago, Eddie said: "I was a porter when I was 14, my mum used to get the staff here and she insisted that I come along. I reluctantly came but I enjoyed it and then since then, I've done many, many Grand Nationals."
Over his tenure in the industry, Eddie has worked at Wembley Stadium, the Festival of Speed, Ascot and more, all over the country. Eddie said: "It's been fantastic, you know, meeting different people and working with my family, mostly - that's what I've enjoyed most because although it's been very hard work, early rising, late going to bed and that, we've had a laugh and that's the most important thing.
"I must say, looking back on it, it's been very, very good. I'm not sorry to be going because I'm ready to go, you know but it's been very interesting anyway, put it that way. It's been lots of ups and downs, you know, but a lot of good times - a lot of great Grand Nationals.
"More people need to come to the Grand National - a lot of people from Liverpool have never been to the Grand National and they should come even if it's only for the once, you know, just to experience it - it's fantastic." Eddie is full of tales from his many years on racecourses, revealing his favourite memory as when the legendary Red Rum won for the third time.
Eddie quipped: "I knew the trainer Ginger McCain - he was a taxi driver who once drove Frank Sinatra. He said he was mean because he never tipped him."
Of what he'll miss the most upon retiring later today, Eddie said: "My family," adding: "We used to just have a laugh, going out for meals of a night and just the camaraderie was really good. That's what I'll miss the most."
Eddie has been presented with luxury champagne and has been invited to Haydock Park to celebrate with a former boss at a later date. Of his employers, Eddie said: "They've been very good to me and I appreciate it."
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