Colchester, Newcastle and West Ham football legend Vic Keeble died last week, aged 87. An FA Cup winner with Newcastle United in 1955 - 3-1 against Manchester City he is best known as a footballer - the Newcastle no. nine no less. But he was also a Table Tennis player of considerable talent. He was Chelmsford Mens Doubles Champion in 1966 and 1967 as well as a Colchester League Mens Singles Champion. Chelmsford League Vice Chairman Brian Cook remembers Keeble as one of the “most stylish players of that era” whilst Alan Clancy - twice a Runner-Up in the Mens Singles in the Chelmsford tournament goes even further. In the days long before the “switching hands” shots of Superstars such as Timo Boll were common place he remembers Keeble switching hands to return a shot seemingly far out of his reach. Mick Buckley - the
Colchester League President and winner of those two Chelmsford Mens Doubles titles with Keeble said that “not only was Keeble a superb Table Tennis player but he also became a qualified and well respected Table Tennis Coach“. Keeble continued to go to watch his first Football Club - Colchester United where he
had also been an ambassador - well into his 80s. He is survived by three sons and three daughters. A minute’s silence was held at the recent Colchester United match against Newport and it was observed impeccably. A genuine local Sporting legend.

Written by Chelmsford League Press Officer, Steve Kerns