Marcus Iddon: World Champion Trap Shooter and a Lancashire Lad
by Dr Philip Hoskin
A quite brilliant talk was given by Marcus Iddon, on the 21st February, in the School library. Marcus detailed his route into competitive shooting at the highest level in his inimitable dry and sophisticated way; each anecdote backed up with razor-sharp intelligence that cut through the absurdities of life. Marcus provided insight into life in the USSR: meeting Mikhail Gorbechev; visiting former dictator’s Ceausecu’s Primaverii Palace whilst competing for Team GB. Marcus also reminisced about the eye-watering bills he ran up in Milan’s flagship Gucci store and referenced the umpteen Rolex watches that he has won over the years. These stories had the audience in stitches. Put simply, there is nothing remotely ostentatious about Marcus; the Rolexes were subsequently put through their paces on his family farm – in a manner that would induce a nosebleed in most horologists (Marcus had no idea of their worth). And, his anecdote about inadvertently, leading fellow shooters and their caravan of Chelsea tractors across ‘his Lordship’s lawn’ (Lord Ashbourn of Buckley) had us all in hoots.
There was so much to take away from Marcus’ talk and his captive audience were all immediately struck by his humility and self-deprecation. If you search Marcus Iddon on Google you will get numerous hits; however, these results do not tell you even half of what Marcus has achieved. And, true to form, I had to practically chisel the following details out of him which are but a snapshot:
- Father and Son English Open DTL
- British Open Junior Olympic Trap Champion
- English Open Olympic Trap Champion
- British Open ABT Champion
- English Open Single Barrel Class Champion
- English Open ABT Class Champion
- British Open ABT Class Champion
- British Open Helice Champion 4 times
- English Open Helice Champion
- Twice UK Open Helice Champion
- Britannia Cup Helice Champion
- European Silver individual Medal Helice
- Commonwealth Championship Gold Medal Olympic Trap
- Commonwealth Record Holder Olympic Trap
2019
No 1 in GB Helice Team Selection
No 1 CPSA Helice Averages
UK Open Helice Champion
2021
UK Senior Helice Champion
English Open Helice Senior Champion
2022/23/24
County Helice, Universal and Olympic Trap Champion
I could go on…
Marcus’ incredible talents extend to coaching too. And, he has coached many to notable success including Nathan Hales who recently secured gold in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Marcus has always been incredibly generous with his time and advice for aspiring sportsmen and women at our Prep and Senior School. A debt of gratitude to Marcus for this and for enthusing so many with his SEDInspire talk.