Edwin Doran Sports Tours was established back in 1974 and, as one of the first operators of its kind, we quickly became the pre-eminent brand in sports travel around the world.  Renowned for our experience and expertise, it is no surprise that we have taken more teams on tour than any other sports operator - over 10,000 at the last count.

I have now retired (well partially anyway) and have relinquished day to day responsibility for the running of the business, however my very experienced team, many of whom have been with me for 20+ years, continue to deliver exceptional tours for every one of our customers.

I am actually writing this little introduction from Rotorua, New Zealand, where I am on my third sports tour of the year, with one more still to go!!!!  At Edwin Doran we know what it is like to be a tour manager and it is our job to make your tour the best and most enjoyable yet.”

I started in the travel industry on 12th June 1966, releasing me from the bureaucratic working conditions of an insurance company into the free and expansive travel business. On November 4th that year, I left my native country, Ireland, for the bright London lights. When my Aer Lingus plane landed at Heathrow, the first sign I saw was ... Murphy Building Contractors!

Six years later, I wanted to work for myself, so I needed experience in other aspects of the industry. I worked for a specialist sports operator followed by one of Britain's largest tour operators. During this time, I also hit the roads, drumming up business at night visiting business prospects. When I had developed the business to have sufficient cash flow, I took the plunge!

July 1st 1974 ~ the fateful day. When I started, people asked "Who is Edwin Doran?"  now, decades later, they are still asking the same question as an increasing number do not believe there is a 'real' Edwin Doran. My target then was to get a new booking every day. That could mean a commission of 60p on an air ticket. We now need rather more just to pay the overheads!"

Edwin Doran, Non Executive Director.