It is with deep sadness that Billericay Sports Table Tennis Club report that their longest serving club member Brian Cole passed away on Tuesday 28th February 2017 following a short illness. Brian was a well known figure in the South Essex Leagues participating in matches in Basildon, Brentwood, Chelmsford and Southend Leagues and also representing Brentwood in many of the Essex Inter League fixtures that were played over the years. Brian who was 77 was born in Billericay in 1938 and first came to prominence when in 1953/54 he won the “Boys Junior Singles Title” against Tommy Caldwell 21/13, 21/19. Further success followed when he won the Men’s Singles title in 64/65 against a formidable host of top county players - which was followed by winning the Mixed Doubles title with Miss J. Roberts in 66/67 and 67/68 – following this by winning the same Mixed Doubles title with Miss S Faldo in 70/71 and 71/72. More success was to follow when Brian won the Brentwood Veterans over 40 title three years in succession 82/83, 83/84 and 84/85 – he also won the Men’s Doubles title with Mark Stones in 83/84. A gentleman both on and off the table – he will be sadly missed by the many players he came into contact with. The Billericay Sports team of 1991/1992 of which Brian was a leading player won promotion to the Chelmsford First Division by winning the Second Division title – they remained in the League until 2007/2008 when venue and player problems forced them to leave the league – Brian featured in many close matches and played in a veterans over 40 final against Old Chelmsfordians in the late 1990’s.
Alf Fox
