Shipley in Shipshape

A chat with the man who has steered the club for the last five years and who holds some forthright views about the game

8/6/11

How long have you been playing table tennis?

44 years

What got you started?

I always enjoyed racquet sports - had a chance to play at a youth club.

What style of play have you got?

Some say boring but I say defensive with counter attack!

What blade/rubbers do you use?

Tackiness D on forehand and Sriver FX on backhand

What's your best shot?

Forehand block

What's your weakest shot?

Forehand attack

Any pet peeves about the game?

Reluctance of many to accept the need for change. Poor facilities and late finishes.

Who are your favourite professional players - past and present?

Only one - Jan Ove Waldner

What temperament have you got on the table?

Determined and placid.

Have you ever won any table tennis competitions?

Some at work and many in Hertford League

What league(s) do you play in? How did you play last season?

Only Crawley and Horsham. In view of holidays I only played 4 matches and did OK

What's your best ever win?

Beat Tom Carr of Hoddesdon TTC (my club) in about 1993. He was ranked 320 or so in England. I won 21-19 in the third with an edge!

Aside from playing what else do you do in table tennis?

Was chairman/secretary of Horsham TTC for five years until May 2011.

Chairman of Hertford league 1994-2003

Secretary of CHDTL 2007-2009.

What other sports are you interested in?

My main interest is cricket. I no longer play but umpire on the Sussex league panel.

I like watching many sports - mainly football, tennis and athletics.

What changes would you make to make table tennis more successful in this country?

Do away with 3v3 on one table. we need to spend more time actually playing the sport, have better premises and finish matches at sensible times.

I would consider reforming sport on a county basis so that there are not local leagues but one big county league with regional matches at lower levels.

ETTA is out dated - needs modernising.

Why do you like playing table tennis so much?

I enjoy the mental and physical challenges - keeps me fit too and is sociable.

Who's been the biggest influence on your table tennis career?

My father - played my first league match with him.

Thanks for your time Alan