There have been two previous matches between the UK and USA. In October 1973: the Clermont Club hosted a match with Joe Dwek and Philip Martyn representing the UK and Barclay and Walter Cooke, the USA.

This contest comprised a total of 40 unlimited games (without the Jacoby rule), and the USA won the encounter 73-64. Skip forward 46 years and I entered into discussions with Martin Barkwill where he ventured into the possibility of a live UK vs. USA match to coincide with a major USBGF event. The pandemic destroyed any prospect of such a live match, so when Simon Barget stepped forward with an offer to captain the UK team for an online challenge, the UKBGF board, Chris Rogers and Marin Barkwill were delighted to support the venture. The USBGF supported the idea, and I organized and held a qualifying event for the US. We fielded a very strong team, with most of the top American players, I captained the team for the US and Simon Barget captained for the UK.