TTT30 Spring 2023

What was Happening 50 Years ago? 1973
❖ 1 st January 1973 saw the United Kingdom join the European Economic Community (EEC). A
momentous occasion and to mark it Britain held a cultural festival entitled a “Fanfare for Europe” with
over 300 events taking place. Table tennis did its part by holding a tournament in Bolton on 12 th
January. The twelve players were flown in by British European Airways who also provided the
Commemorative Trophy which was won by Denis Neale who also received a cheque for £100. Jacques
Secretin of France was the losing finalist and Trevor Taylor and Nicky Jarvis the losing semi-finalists.
Some of Europe's best: Stefano Bosi,(Italy), Alan Griffiths (Wales), Bert van der Helm (Holland), Nicky Jarvis, Jean Krier (Luxembourg),
Jimmy Langan (Ireland), Denis Neale, Claus Pederson ((Denmark), Jacques Secretin (France), Trevor Taylor, Norbert Van Der Walle
(Belgium). Also played: Hans Micheiloff (Federal Germany)
❖ At the beginning of the year the two junior number ones were Desmond Douglas and Linda Howard.
Douglas entered the Men’s list for the first time at number 10 whilst Linda Howard was at number five
in the Women’s ranking list.
❖ Crystal Palace was the venue for the English Closed in January and Trevor Taylor retained his Men’s
Singles title defeating Denis Neale in the final -10, 17, 10, -20, 13. Alan Hydes and Tony Clayton were
the losing semi-finalists. The Women’s Singles saw the rising star, Jill Hammersley (later Parker), win
the first of her seven singles titles with victory over Karenza Mathews. Diane Court (Simpson/Pearce)
and Judy Williams were the defeated semi-finalists. It was the two Men’s Singles finalists who took
the Men’s Doubles title with a win over Tony Clayton and Laurie Landry whilst Karenza Mathews with
Linda Howard were the Women’s Doubles champions beating Shelagh Hession and Judy Williams. The
Mixed Doubles was a family affair as the two Howard sisters were opposite sides of the table and it
was Linda with Alan Hydes who got the victory over Susan partnered by Tony Clayton.
❖ The 1 st World University Championships took place in Hanover with a Great Britain team of Tony
Clayton, Alan Fletcher, Brian Mitchell, Sheila Hamilton, Susan Lisle and Elaine Smith. The Women’s
Team finished sixth and the Men’s Team were ninth. The standard of teams was very variable with
some countries, including the USSR, entering with their full national team. It was a tough challenge for
the GB players but Tony Clayton did win the Men’s Consolation Singles and Scotland’s Elaine Smith
was runner-up in the Consolation Women’s Singles.
TTT: Issue 30: Spring 2023
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