On this already sad day, there is more bad news to report. Possibly the oldest surviving member of the Wigan Table Tennis League has passed away as a result of the terrible Coronavirus. Bill died in hospital this morning.

The use of the word stalwart is sometimes over used these days but Bill really was the epitome of a stalwart. He goes way back beyond fifty years ( even before my time!) and there may well be only a dozen or so left in the league who will remember him, but there are some who played with him, if not on the same team, certainly for the same club. Bill played all his table tennis career with the Heinz 57 Club. He had his own peculiar style, virtually no forehand at all but his backhand was something to fear. He was also the forerunner of the "dodgy bat". He carried more bat rubbers around with him in his bag than Dunlops could produce! He must have supplied so many players in Wigan with bat rubbers over the years. I certainly had a couple off him.

He was not just a player but also a long standing committee member. He was Fixture Secretary long before computers were invented and produced all fixtures and results long hand. He was the inaugural winner in 1979/80 of the trophy given annually now for services to the league and was a deserved recipient. He remained on the League committee right up to the 2005/2006 season and was team contact for Heinz until handing over to Sandra Moss in the 2008/2009 season. Teams still play today for the Bill Dawber Trophy.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to Bill's daughters and rest of his family at this very stressful time for everybody.