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Fred for Basford?

THREE times Wimbledon champion Fred Perry may travel to Basford Tennis Club for the official opening of their £40,000 artificial grass courts.

The veteran tennis legend became the first player to win four major World championships during the 1930s. He landed the Australian, French and American Opens as well as capturing the Wimbledon singles title three years in succession.

Perry, who celebrates his 83rd birthday this month, played an exhibition match at Basford back in 1936. He returned there 10 years later to make a second star appearance with television commentator Dan Maskell.

The club are now hoping he will accept their invitation to the opening ceremony of North Staffordshire's first showpiece artificial grass courts.

"He has indicated he might be able to visit the club during his forthcoming stay in the UK, and hopefully we will find out very shortly whether he will be coming," said Basford committee spokesman Derek Newport.

To mark the occasion, international tennis player Andrew Foster has agreed to take place in an exhibition game. The Stoke-on-Trent star, ranked 11th in Britain, is a former member of Basford.

Foster is among 24 World players to have qualified for the final leg of the LTA Spring Satellite Circuit at Bournemouth tomorrow.

He dispatched last year's circuit winner Piet Norval - ranked 24 in the world in doubles - on his way to the semi-finals. Foster will bekeen to capitalise on his success during the past three weeks of competition and clinch more ATP world computer points.

His campaign at Bournemouth and guest appearance at Basford falls during the build-up to the French open, only a matter of weeks away.

Meanwhile, the club's committee have attracted a major sports firm to put on a display of tennis racquets and equipment. The Mayor of Newcastle will perform the official courts opening on May 24.

Basford have recently received an extra cash boost of £10,000 from the Sports Council plus the offer of a loan of a further £10,000 for resurfacing two other courts.

Evening Sentinel, 12 May 1992
Courtesy of The Sentinel News & Media