SEAN Connery, who recently died at the age of 90, made a handful of visits to the Isle of Wight during his incredible life.

The very first time he came was on Sunday, March 19, 1961, when he played football for the Showbiz XI against the International Athletes' Club, at Newport's old Church Litten ground.

I can remember it well. Connery was a reserve for the game, kicked off by the mayor of Newport, Cllr E.W.G. Hands.

Isle of Wight County Press: Sean Connery's picture in the match programme.Sean Connery's picture in the match programme.

To please the bumper crowd of several thousand, substitutes were permitted, to give everyone a game.

He came out of the tunnel during the second half and was announced as 'a Shakespearian actor'.

At the time, I was surprised by his very hairy body.

Isle of Wight County Press: The cover of the programme for the match, held at Church Litten, Newport, on March 19, 1961.The cover of the programme for the match, held at Church Litten, Newport, on March 19, 1961.

This was pre-Bond and his physique emphasised why he had previously been in a Mr Universe contest.

He had turned down a possible football career with Manchester United in favour of going into showbusiness.

Also, in that Showbiz XI team, were Tommy Steele, Ronnie Carroll, Dave King and Glen Mason, who were all top stars of the era.

Isle of Wight County Press: Team sheet for the Showbiz XI side v the International Athletics Club team — note Sean Connery was a sub for the Showbiz team.Team sheet for the Showbiz XI side v the International Athletics Club team — note Sean Connery was a sub for the Showbiz team.

In the International Athletes' Club side was Chris Brasher, the former Melbourne Olympic steeplechase gold medal winner.

The match ended 2-1 to the Showbiz team and at that time Connery was certainly not a household name.

Isle of Wight County Press: Biogs of some of the Showbiz team players in the match programme, featuring Sean Connery, an unknown in those days, and big stars of the era, such as Tommy Steele.Biogs of some of the Showbiz team players in the match programme, featuring Sean Connery, an unknown in those days, and big stars of the era, such as Tommy Steele.

But within 18 months, Islanders were queuing around the block, outside Newport's Odeon Cinema — just 200 yards from the football ground — to see him as James Bond in Dr No.

They even had a midnight matinee, such was the film's appeal.

In the 1970s, Connery came on private visits to Old Park Road, St Lawrence, to visit friends and was spotted in the area.

Isle of Wight County Press: Sean Connery was the original James Bond. His first film was Dr No.Sean Connery was the original James Bond. His first film was Dr No.

He was also a good friend of his fellow Scottish actor, the late Ian Bannen, who had a family home in nearby Ventnor.

They both appeared in the hit movies The Hill and The Offence.