From: The Racketeer 13, June 1995
The Story of Mapperley Park Tennis Club
Part 8 - Into the '80s
by Chris Weir
Where there's history there's Chris Weir.
LONG HOURS spent delving into the club's archives have revealed a rich new seam of information for the 1980s. Extensive appeals, global messages over the Internet, satellite links with distant planets and the occasional use of thumbscrews to force hitherto top secret sources of dub history from dub members, has unearthed a series of Captain's reports.
The 1980 report by Club Captain, Frank Raistrick, is especially detailed, running to six pages of typescript. Above all, Frank's report emphasises the value of the club's new hard courts, and it underlines the contribution of all club members in enabling the courts to be built: 'make no mistake, we've done it all on our own!' The report goes on to comment: 'Political and economic pressures resulted in the grant which other clubs had received, and which was almost in our grasp, being snatched away at the last minute. Before despondency took over, Shirley [Darlaston] seized the nettle, obtained a quotation more within our means and began the task of raising the ready. The response was magnificent and we cannot overstate our gratitude to everyone who helped, especially to those who don't take an active part in the club. But most of all to Shirley whose brainchild it was.'
Evidently, the settling-in period for the courts was an anxious time for the club's committee, especially when high temperatures threatened the tarmac: 'I expected Alec [French] to rush over every time the sun shone, prepared to sell his life dearly if anybody trod the sacred tarmac, but there was no sweat - literally The sun hardly ever shone, and only Hollywood-style chair footprints between nets marred the surface.'
Of course the tennis continued, with 41 matches played, 22 being won and 19 lost. Results on the whole seem to have been encouraging, though unhappily the Men's 1st team was relegated by a single set from Division 4B. The team was badly hit by injuries, and the loss of leading players like Eric Smith, John Woodfine, John Church and Chris Rose. Indeed the loss of Chris Rose, who died unexpectedly, led to the initiation, in January 1980, of a special Chris Rose Cup, in honour of his name, for the Men's Singles.
Among the individual women players picked out for mention were Diana Daybell, Julie Sycamore, Val Stone, Val Cooney, Shirley Darlaston, Lisa Ostrowsky and Shelagh Playford.
The juniors seem to have been especially active, 'repairing and repainting fencing, hut demolishing, money-raising, etc.,' though their occasional urges for 'messy water fights' and other lapses of behaviour were a cause of concern. Yet, the enthusiasm of the juniors could not be doubted, both off and on the courts. The 1980 Captain's report stated, without reserve: 'Our juniors did us proud,' winning the championship of the Northern section at the first attempt. The club's attraction for juniors reached a particular high in 1980, with junior membership 'reaching saturation point,' while in the dub as a whole general play was poorly supported, 'with several new members unhappy about the unavailability of opponents'.
As well as all the tennis there were the parties, the barbecue, the jumble sales, the treasure hunt, and there was a trip to Skegness. The end of the 1980 season was rounded off with a bus trip to Skeggy which included roller skating, canoeing, and here is Frank Raistrick's account of a game of football on the beach: 'The football on the beach showed the unacceptable face of soccer - late tackles over the hall and blatant kicking - we're thinking of banning the girls next time. But Dave Peet's flick and volley goal would have had the Match of the Day pundit drooling down his beard, while Amanda [Gregory]'s right foot drive, which had the keeper cowering would win the goal of the season award. Amanda also looked after me when I tried to leave the roller coaster half-way round. Bravery award must go to Ed [Edward Davey the Junior Secretary] for twice sawing down to plunge into the icy. North Sea when the ball threatened to emigrate (it was his ball, see!). A great day.'