1967 and 1968 Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League Mens Doubles Champion Mick Buckley died at the start of March, aged 85. He is best known as President of the Colchester League, a position he held since 2002. Mick won his Chelmsford Mens Doubles titles with West Ham and Newcastle United football legend Vic Keeble and he was also the Mens Doubles Champion in Colchester (twice) in 1974 and 1975 partnered by Rob Milne and in Clacton (in 1974, again with Rob Milne). He won six successive Veterans Singles titles in the Colchester League, between 1974 and 1979. Mick was also a frequent visitor to the M&G Investments Chelmsford League Finals Night in recent years.

Mick took great pride in his role as Colchester League President and always ensured that the Mayor of Colchester was kept fully updated on the players taking part in the Colchester League Finals Night. He represented the Colchester League as League Representative at County meetings and he also ran their Mens and Veterans Inter-League teams from time to time. Mick was a qualified Table Tennis Coach, a qualification he gained under the English Coaching guru of the time - Jack Carrington. Venturing further afield he coached at the Chantry School in Ipswich in the mid 1960s with Jack Carrington. Mick also coached at the St. Helena School in Colchester with Malcolm Goodwin where his top side went on to win the National Schools Team title. He formed friendships there with top players Dave Moss and John Andrews and they went on to play as a team for 30 years in the Colchester League. Mick finally retired from top flight play in 2002 but he later returned to the playing side of the Sport and was still playing this Season in Colchester division three.

Mick is also remembered for his skill at repairing bats and although he never gave the secrets away he performed this repair for many players and they frequently advised that their bat was as good as new.

Well liked and always courteous and friendly he is survived by his sons Chris and Ian. His beloved wife Jean pre-deceased him. Mick’s Funeral will be held on Wednesday 03 April 2019 at 15.30 hours at Colchester Crematorium.

Thanks are extended to Colchester League Chairman (and occasional Chelmsford League player John Andrews) for his work on this Obituary.

Steve Kerns - Press & Publicity Officer - Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League