Well it has to be said that there are days I thought I would never see. And this has to be one of them. Garnet Gayle has retired from competitive basketball.

Recently, the great and the good of British Basketball got together to pay tribute to one of Basketball's Good Guys - Garnet Gayle, on his retirement. This is the mikeshaft.com un-official Photo Album. All Photos by Ian Smith.

These are the 12 new additions for 2014 to the mikeshaft.com feature...People Who Make Basketball 'The Joy that It Is'

On the face of it a 74-66 away win for Esh Group Eagles Newcastle at Glasgow Rocks on a Sunday night does not seem the most significant match or result of the season.

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

Last Thursday, 31 st October 2013, family and friends gathered in Birmingham to say goodbye to a member of one of the legendary Basketball families of Birmingham and the UK. His name was Allan Wilford. The Euloguy was given by his son Richard who has kindly given permission for us to reprint it here. We at mikeshaft.com send our condolences and best wishes to Del, Richard and the rest of this Basketball family.

BJ Holmes joined the Sheffield Sharks in the British Basketball League part way through the 2012/13 season. He had an immediate impact leading the team to success in the BBL Trophy that season with an MVP performance. PHOTO - MPhotography

Friday the 19th of April saw the 10th Cheshire and Warrington Sports Awards. The 2012/13 event was held at the fabulous Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington, home of the Warrington Wolves.

Throughout 2013 BBC Radio Manchester will be raising money to help cancer patients at The Christie. In addition to raising £1,000,000, The Christie and BBC Radio Manchester aim to raise further awareness of cancer and help transcend the warmth of The Christie across the region.

Back in December of 2011 one of my dearest friends Deborah Hollamby passed away. Listeners to Sunday Breakfast on BBC Radio Manchester will know that Deborah was a regular presenter on the programme looking over the religious press and bringing us a synopsis.