Basford Lawn Tennis Club

Recollections From Edgar Jackson 1927 - 1934

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PRESIDENTHERBERT HEATLEY
SECRETARYNORMAN F. GIBBONS
CAPT. OF MEN’S TEAMJACK NOAKE

As far as I can remember the Mens’ Team was selected from the following:—
*Jack Appleton, Eric Cook, Arthur P. Ford, Norman Gibbons, Jack Lewis, Jack Noake, Frank Wilkes, Barney Walker, David Wattison, Lt. Col. T. L. Wenger, and myself.

The Clubs included in our fixture list were:—
Winnington Park, Birch Lane (Manchester), Sandwell, Wolverhampton Albert, Severnside (Shrewsbury) Shropshire County (also Shrewsbury), Bilston, Stone, Trentham and Crewe.

The Winnington Park Team included that wellknown sportsman Max Woosnam, who also played for Manchester City F.C and gained a cap when he played for England against Wales in 1922.

The original club was, I believe, behind the Basford Hotel, moving to its present position circa 1925.

Although I was not able to be present Norman Gibbons told me that one afternoon several Wimbledon players would give exhibition matches One of the players was Bunny" Austen, who would be accompanied by his actress wife Phyllis Konstam.

*Jack Appleton lost his life when a huge underground ammunition dump exploded near Sudbury. He was a member of the staff of the Peter Ford Factory which I believe was demolished the year, I think, between 40 and 45 years ago.