The Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League are saddened to announce the passing of one its most established players. Ev Lucas passed away on Wednesday 15 December 2021.
Ev graced the Chelmsford League for around 50 years and was Restricted Singles Champion (later known as the division four down singles) as far back as 1974. By the 1980s he was an established division one player and an integral part of the Writtle A side who were in the upper echelons of the first division. Older players will remember playing that team of Mike Charter, Brian Lockhart and Ev Lucas. Ev continued to improve, so much so that he was Chelmsford Over 50s Champion for two years running in 1994 and 1995. He also went on to play for the Essex at Over 60s level. Ev was also a member of the Writtle side who won the Chelmsford first division title around the millennium, an all-star side which included son Paul, Reagan Nettleingham and John Holland.
A massive supporter of local League Table Tennis Ev played for Witham in the Braintree League in the 1980s / 90s as well as for Stock TTC in the Brentwood League in the 1980s. In those days he wasn’t quite so well-known and the Brentwood League Press Officer had to be informed that his name wasn’t in fact Everton Lucas !. Ev returned to the Brentwood League in later years and was part of the Buttsbury side who became Brentwood League Premier Division Champions. Close friend John Holland was also a member of that team.
In more recent years Ev played for Maldon Table Tennis Club in the Burnham League as well as for Canvey Table Tennis Club in the Southend League. A true supporter of Essex Table Tennis if ever there was one.
Although Ev lived in Writtle for much of his life, he was a pillar of the community in Billericay. Lucas Opticians was the “go to” place for specs in Billericay High Street back in the day. He had premises there from the 1970s until around 2010.
In the last 25 years or so Ev and John Holland went on a number of trips to international table tennis tournaments, particularly in Germany, Sweden, Belgium and France, including the ITTF World Tour Opens, World Cups and World Championships. They were able to take in the era of the Swedish legends Waldner and Persson as well as the current Chinese superstars Ma Long and Fan Zhen Dong.
We have lost a real gent and a true legend of Essex table tennis. He will be sorely missed.
Ev’s Funeral will take place on 19 January 2022 at Chelmsford Crematorium, Writtle Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 3BL at 12.30 p.m. All players are welcome to attend.
With thanks to John Holland and the Burnham Table Tennis League for their input.
Steve Kerns Press & Publicity Officer Chelmsford District Table Tennis League
