Jon Clarke (Publisher & Editor)FORMER England rugby star Matt Dawson – famed for his bull-like strength on the pitch – will have to be watch out when he moves into his new Andalucia home.
For the World Cup winner is set lock horns with Spain’s most famous bullfighter, Jesulin de Ubrique, after having splashed out on a villa in Arcos Gardens.
The palatial four-bedroom home – just a stone’s throw from Arcos de la Frontera – is next door to the luxury home of heartthrob Ubrique, from Cadiz.
“Everyone I take down there is blown away by the place and now I’m going to enjoy it.”
Yet the Strictly Come Dancing finalist revealed that the decision to buy the 1.25m euro pad was motivated by another favourite pastime.
“For a golf nut, Spain was the obvious choice for a holiday home,’ explained Dawson, 37, whose handicap is five.
“It’s on a family-run estate next to a beautiful town where you’re forced to speak a bit of Spanish.”
“Arcos is a great course that still feels as if it’s in the middle of nowhere.”
Now, the stylish villa, with traditional Andalucian exterior and high-tech interiors, has just been completed and impeccably furnished.
And despite the recent troubles of the Spanish property market, the BBC’s A Question Of Sport team captain admitted he is still in for the long term.
“I’ve avoided looking at property prices as I know my house will be fine in the not-too-distant future,” said Dawson.
“I haven’t bought as an investment. It’s somewhere I’ll spend a lot of time.
“Everyone I take down there is blown away by the place and now I’m going to enjoy it.”
“It’s on a family-run estate next to a beautiful town where you’re forced to speak a bit of Spanish.”
I’m sure they’ll all be properly grateful.