Ted will be fondly remembered by many of the VETTS as one of the Liverpool 'band of four table tennis brothers' who travelled the country and the world enjoying the close friendship of each other and the camaraderie of the wider VETTS community.
Ted, along with Mick Allen, Alan Chase and the late Richie Cragg - and often joined on their travels by fellow Liverpudlians Billy Clayton and Kenny Jackson - were familiar figures at many VETTS events from the 1990s onwards. Ted, Mick and Alan had been friends and team-mates in the Liverpool League for around half a century and they were a natural fit with the social and competitive nature of the VETTS.
Ted was a fierce and determined opponent on the table, with his old-school defensive play, never giving up on a point until his opponent had been forced to play seemingly winning shots time and time again in a rally. His reluctance to hit a ball while it could be chopped in half sometimes drove his team mates to distraction as they knew they would be in for a long and lengthy evening as Ted ground out every point and ground down his opponents.
He started playing in Liverpool as a teenager, then continued in Manchester when he attended university there studying law, before returning to his home city. In his younger days he was one of the top Liverpool League players, playing for legendary club, CADWA alongside England international Ralph Gunnion and other top players of that time. He joined many of the top Liverpool clubs of that era, English Electric, Bootle YM and Bath St, collecting many team and individual titles. His love of the sport continued throughout his life and found a new avenue for his talents as a veteran, winning the first Liverpool O/55s title at least five times and finding success in many VETTS Masters events.
The trips abroad with his friends were the stuff of legends. Tales to be told, old friendships to be renewed, new friendships to be made, and matches to be supported and played - and then replayed again and again in the bar later. They travelled the world competing in World and European Championships in Vancover, Lillehammer, Dublin, Aarhus, Slovakia, Bremen, Czech Republic and many others.
Ted was a real sports lover and all-rounder. He was the opening batsman for a Liverpool cricket team - a sport he played into his 60s - and a good golfer. He was one of those unusual people who's enjoyment of sport, transcended supporter loyalties. Although a passionate Evertonian who used to take his seat in the Director's box as Everton's lawyer to cheer his team on in home games, he was also an enthusiastic season ticket holder at local rivals Liverpool, who he would go to watch when Everton played away.
Off the table, he was a raconteur and always good company. He was also a highly successful corporate lawyer, becoming senior partner in a large Liverpool law firm, and a respected business-man. In this capacity, he was always willing to lend a hand, when his sound professional advice and business expertise proved invaluable to many table tennis players who sort out his wisdom.
He was a gentleman on and off the table - and will be fondly remembers and sadly missed by all who knew him.
The VETTS send their sincere condolences to his partner Barbara, his family and many friends. RIP Ted.
