The Club in 1973 has flourished very well in every respect, but one. The two teams have once again
played in the Birmingham Metropolitan Tennis League, each having stepped up a division, the 'A' team in Division 2, and the 'B' team
in Division 4. Should the 'B' team perform well enough to stay in Division 4, this would leave the way open for a 'C' team to compete
in Division 5 next year. The possibility is more than a pipe dream, for the club this season has sufficient members to run two different
line-ups of equal strength as a 'B' team.
The two Gentlemen's Knockout tournaments this year had record entries, with 19 contesting
the singles, and 12 pairs the doubles. Both tournaments have progressed steadily, with John Ordish and John Britten still in contention,
but I am sure they would be the first to admit the competition is becoming stiffer every year.
The mixed doubles, which was won by
F C Batstone and Norah Cory, with an entry of only four pairs highlighted the club's one big weakness, the shortage of lady members.
When
the club was formed there was almost as many ladies as men in membership. Since then the ladies section has dwindled, for all the
usual reasons, without new members coming to make up the numbers. Why should this be? I keep asking myself, when it is remembered
that tennis is the game girls play at school in the Summer, but boys very rarely progress beyond cricket.
Could it be they detest having
it forced down their throats at school and subconsciously decide never to play again when they leave. This I feel is both possible
and understandable but I do hope it is not a case of shyness that has kept anyone away.
To try and counter for this, and also for the
benefit of those who have not been to one of the club evenings, on a Tuesday, but would like to do so, here are a few details.
We play
on the courts of Stechford Hall Park, at the Fox and Goose, Ward End. Play commences at 18:00, and continues until 20:30, or when
the light fails. Dressing room accommodation of a reasonable standard is available. The only equipment the players have to provide
is a racket, as the balls are brought by the club. The next thing is the cost of membership, which is 50p annually, to be credited
to account number 66-133223-14 at Sheldon Branch, and 15p every time a member attends a club evening.
These figures have hardly altered
since the club was formed in 1962, which is remarkable when one considers the raging inflation since that time. Tribute has to be
given to the Staff Association whose yearly grant has made this possible.
Although I have concentrated mainly on the ladies this does
not mean we cannot find room for more young men. We will be pleased to see anyone who has an interest in playing whether they be the
rawest novice, or a potential Wimbledon champion.
Should more information be required this can be obtained by telephoning me at Dunlop
branch any day between 11:00 and 14:00
Peter Aston
Hon Secretary
CONTACT: Christmas 1973
Mr W G T Gray, who has recently retired, was the Club Chairman from 1962 - 1972. During that time a firm foundation was laid, so that any doubts about the Club lasting more than a season or two were dispelled very quickly with the lusty infant of 1962 maturing into a very strong individual. Much of the credit for this has to be given to Mr Gray who was always on hand to help in every way - from giving advice or taking part in the occasional match to make up the requisite number of players. He has now been replaced by Mr Batstone who can be relied upon to continue in the same manner.
The burning question of the moment is: "Where shall we go in 1974?" The 'A' team became 1973 Division 2 champions
with 16 points, but were chased home by three teams who finished with 15. The final placings were in doubt until the result of the
last match. If, instead of winning by 3 rubbers to one, we had only drawn, the championship would have been split four ways. In such
an event the League Secretary would have needed a course in advanced calculus to decide which team had finished on top! The implication
of this cliff hanger finish, after the way we romped home in the Division 3 Championship in 1972, is that Division 1 in 1974 may be
the point where we find our level.
The 'B' Team have done very nicely, winning two of their five matches in fine style. This ensured
a Division 4 place for 1974. Their main object next season will be to win sufficient points to gain promotion to Division 3.
The Club
Members who represented the Bank in 1973 were:
Norah Cory, Carol Gaffney, Elizabeth Troup, John Ordish, John Britten, Graham Capener,
David Turner, Michael Tarver, Larry Sharrard, Peter Aston, Eddie Stokes, Roger Bond, David Chapman, Ken Prentice, and Roger Garner.
The
three ladies named played in the Senior Cup match against Allendale, a very strong club with League teams in the Premier and First
Divisions, but surprisingly, not in the Ladies Division. This match should have been Mr Batstone's debut, but he was prevented from
playing by unforeseen circumstances. His replacement was John Britten, and who can say that the Club is not fortunate to have someone
of his calibre to fall back on.
The Club has held its usual quota of tournaments with the following winners:
Mixed Doubles American F C Batstone and Norah
Cory
Gentlemen's Doubles Knockout John Britten and John
Ordish
Gentlemen's Singles Knockout John Ordish
Next
season, subject to the exigencies of the Bank (computer, etc) an experimental Singles League within the Club will be tried. More details
will be circularised later.
Peter Aston
Tennis Club Secretary
CONTACT: Spring 1974
Subject to agreement at the Annual General Meeting, Club evenings will again be held every Tuesday from 18.00 to 20.30 or when light fails, at Stechford Hall Park which is situated by the Beaufort Cinema at the Fox & Goose.
The entrance nearest the courts is to be found on Coleshill Road opposite
the Metropolitan Cammell Sports Ground. Stechford Hall has a large car park, and adequate dressing room accommodation next to the
courts. The park can be reached by travelling on any of the following ‘bus routes :- 11, 28, 55, 56, or Midland Red to Coleshill.
Membership
is open to any member of the staff, male or female, who has a racket. We are always looking for new players, for without them the
Club will not progress. The Club will provide members with a card for discount purchases at certain shops.
In 1974 the Club will
be as active as in previous seasons, with the usual tournaments for Gentlemen’s Singles and Doubles Knockout and Mixed Doubles American
being played. Two teams will be competing in the Birmingham Metropolitan Lawn Tennis League, with the first in Division 1 after gaining
promotion in 1973 as Division 2 champions.
Should you feel that tennis is your game, why not give us a try for we will be very pleased to see you.
P.H. Aston
Honorary Secretary.
CONTACT: Christmas 1974
In my capacity as Secretary I
have to be completely impartial when reporting the affairs of the Club, but this year the task is more than a little difficult.
The
tournaments have gone well, with the contestants playing matches by the dates stated. For this I am very pleased, and thank everyone
concerned. The Gentlemen's Singles provided shocks with two seeds going out in the first round:
Roger Bond
beat John Britten 6-4, 6-2.
David Turner beat Roger Garner 4-6, 6-3, 8-6.
The semi-final between John Ordish
and Graham Capener produced a dramatic finish. Graham developed cramp after three hours play when leading 5-3 in the third set; and
subsequently lost it 7-5.
In the final, John Ordish, the defending champion and No. 1 seed retained his title by beating unseeded
Larry Sharrard 6-1, 6-4.
The long and scintillating run of Doubles wins by John Ordish and John Britten has ended, but I am sure
they will consider the title to be only out on short term loan and will be fighting to regain it next season. In the final they lost
on a windy (gale force at times) and wet evening to Graham Capener and Peter Aston 9-7, 2-6, 2-6.
My seeding policy has always
been to seed the previous year's semi-finalist for the singles, and finalists for the doubles. I can see no reason for changing it.
In
response to letters, originated by myself, the Club has extended its sporting and social activities during 1974. In addition to the
matches in the Birmingham Metropolitan Lawn Tennis League, friendlies have been played against Wolverhampton and Walsall TSBs. These
matches gave everyone the opportunity to meet people from other Banks and compare notes. The Club intends keeping these contacts alive
to facilitate the pooling of banking knowledge.
The Club evenings have been well attended with an all time record of 22 on 30th
July. Because of this development I have been making enquiries as to the possibilty of a further court being built for next season.
The Ladies' section has been a success, after stagnating for a number of years. The enlarged membership justified the holding of a
Ladies' Singles tournament.
The 'A' team (as I predicted in a previous edition of 'Contact') has found its level by finishing
half way in Division 1. The 'B' team, from whom I was hoping great things, did not quite fulfill their potential. They will have to
be content with a Division 4 place for another season.
The following members have represented the Club in matches during 1974:
John Ordish, John Britten, Michael Tarver, Graham Capener, David Turner, Ed Stokes, Peter Aston, Larry Sharrard, Roger Garner,
Roger Bond, Malcolm Glenn, Chris Watson, Stephen Barnsley, Ken Prentice, F. C. Batstone, Norah Cory, Carol Gaffney,
Janet Aston, Dick Atkins, Donald Coton, Graham Bowden and Chris Riordan.
Peter Aston