In these already troubled times, I am afraid that we need to report some more dreadful news. Our dear friend and colleague Martin Machin has passed away in St Rocco's Hospice, Warrington.

Martin made his first appearance in the Wigan League on Friday 13 September 2013, winning all his games against Wigan Ralfs at Platt Bridge. He finished that season with an average of 71.7%. In 2017/18 he won the 2nd Division doubles with his mate Dazla. He improved his game tremendously over the years and lately developed his own style giving him the nickname Scamperer, retrieving the ball from all round the room, as I know to my cost.

Martin played his last Wigan League game on 15 January this year and then had to stop playing because he didn't feel well enough. This " not feeling well" turned into a very agressive form of cancer which sadly took Martin from us on Saturday 28 March 2020.

As everyone knows, Martin was Geoff Pye's "go to man" in the setting up and running of Rainford TTC. He was also a tremendous worker for Wigan Table Tennis League, revolutionising our presentation nights with his humour and organisational skills.

Martin was a very intelligent, very witty, very funny and it turns out, very brave man. I for one feel privileged to have called him a friend.

All the thoughts and prayers of the members of Wigan TTL go out to Martin's family at this time.

God Bless You Martin, friend and colleague. May you rest in peace. You will never be forgotten.

If anyone would like to leave a tribute or comment, I will start a new thread on the Wigan TTL forum. This is accessed by clicking on the link in the Information section on the Home Page of the website. It is a communication tool which Martin, along with Chris G. made his own.