Jean Devys in his younger days, never one to seek the limelight Stalwart member of the Swaythling Club, Jean Devys celebrated his 90th birthday on Wednesday 17th June. Born in Roubaix, watching Michel Haguenauer play Guy Amouretti in 1949 when the French National Championships were held in nearby Lille, provided the motivation for one of the most distinguished careers in the sport of table tennis. In 1957 he joined the local Flanders League Committee, in 1964 the French Table Tennis Federation, before being elected to the ITTF Ranking Committee 1982 and in 1984 the management Committee of the European Table Tennis Union, the year in which he became the editor of the French Table Tennis magazine. He retired from office in 1996 after 33
Month: June 2020
Bert Kerr, Scottish International
Bertie Kerr, always remembered (Photo: courtesy of Billy Gibbs) by Charlie Ellis Born on Tuesday 4th April 1933, Bertie Kerr, one of the greats of the Scottish games passed away on Sunday 7th June. He was 87 years old. A multiple Scottish internationalist Kerr was five times national singles champion and a protégé, sparring partner and life-long friend of two time doubles world champion Helen Elliot. After Helen, he was the Edinburgh and Lothians Table Tennis League’s most outstanding player. He was a central figure within Gambit Table Tennis Club, one of Scotland’s most successful clubs, until its untimely demise in 1989. He subsequently played on in the ELTTL until knee troubles brought his playing days to an end in the early 90s. He
Korea at 1980 English Junior Open
The Korea Republic in Worthing (back) Han Sangkook, Ahn Byeongjun, Kim Kitaek, Yoon Sangmun, Yoo Gyeongseok, Ahn Jaehyung, Park Docheon (front – players) Shin Deukhwa, Kim Jeongmi, Ji Namyoung (Photo: Harvey Webb) Deciding that it was an opportunity to have a spring clean and throw out unwanted items, Harvey Webb found a precious box of memorabilia, including photographs and newspaper cuttings dating back to the 1960s. One photograph in particular caught the eye; the visit of the team from the Korea Republic to Worthing in 1980 to compete in the English Junior Open. Leader of the group was Han Sangkook, who sadly passed away earlier this year on Friday 20th March; notable names in the group included Kim Kaitaek, Ahn Jaehyung and