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It would appear that the seeds
for a local Table Tennis League were first sown on the 6th
March 1931 when the Wembley News published a letter from a Mr. C.
Fox (who signed himself off as an old All-England table tennis player)
suggesting that Wembley should have a Sports Club for all sports
including table tennis. He pointed out that Harrow had the Herga
Club with the facilities, and were well known particularly for table
tennis and tennis with Fred Perry and H. Wilde. He felt The Wembley
Council should start the ball rolling.
The following week the Wembley News
published a letter from Mr. H.W. Hall of the Wembley Cricket &
Sports Association in response pointing out that his Club already
met the criteria as by being affiliated to two other clubs they
covered most sports, including table tennis which was played regularly
throughout the summer months. He suggested a meeting with Mr. Fox
to exchange ideas.
On 20th March 1931 the Wembley News
carried a further letter from Mr. Fox appealing
to all table tennis players in Wembley to communicate with him as
it had been suggested that a local Table Tennis League should be
formed. In addition, on behalf of his club, Wembley Institute, he
challenged any other club to a match.
In May 1931 the Wembley Hospital Fete
held a Wembley & District Table Tennis Championship to help
raise funds, and as a Hospital Fete Committee Member Mr. C. Fox
organised and also played in this event, losing in the Men's Singles
Final to J. Gill (Wembley Cricket). The Wembley News reported that
the play had been of such a good standard that it was decided to
form a Wembley T.T. Club (Ladies & Gents), and negotiations
were proceeding for the formation of a local section of the LondonLeague,
and also a League for local clubs, as nearly 100 entries had been
received for the singles events.
On 2nd October 1931 the Wembley News
reported that a Local League was being formed, and all Club Secretaries
were invited to attend a meeting at Wembley Institute as it was
hoped to start matches in the second week of November.
Thus the Wembley and District Table
Tennis League was founded.
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