Micky Thornhill (centre) with Ron Thompson (left) and (right) Brian Kennedy at the YMCA in Wimbledon prior to competing in his first junior international match against Sweden (Photo: courtesy of Diane Webb) by Diane Webb It is with great sadness that the death of former England international Michael Thornhill, always known as Micky, is announced. Born in Croydon in South London on Monday 26th January 1931, he was 87 years old; he passed away in a nursing home in Huddersfield in the north of England. Micky started his table tennis career in the Staines League; it wasn’t long before he became their number one player. At that time the league teams consisted of four players which led to some very late nights with 12
Month: July 2018
Dragutin Surbek, the Lion of Zagreb
How we remember Dragutin Surbek; immense powers of concentration (Photo: courtesy of the late Zdenko Uzorinac) by Ian Marshall, Editor It is with great sadness that the death of Croatia’s Dragutin Surbek is announced; he passed away on Sunday 15th July. Born in Zagreb on Thursday 8th August, he was 71 years old. Immense powers of concentration, sitting in a darkened room before a match started, Dragutin Surbek, his playing style, the high level of fitness made him not only a national hero but a hero wherever he played; the Chinese named him the Zagreb Tiger. Alway he gave his utmost; he never believed that any point was ever lost. Renowned throughout the sporting world, Dragutin Surbek endured a somewhat difficult childhood, his father was