From: The Racketeer 14, August 1995
The Story of Mapperley Park Tennis Club
Part 9 - Further into the '80s
by Chris Weir
Chris Weir once again casts his line into the river of history to see what takes the bait.
SO, WHO WAS WHO in the dazzling firmament of tennis at Mapperley Park in the early '80s? Who were the movers and shakers? Well, the Men's First were certainly hitting the club headlines: 'An excellent season capped by the team winning their championship. Starting with a 17-0 win over Wollaton they never looked back. If there was one reason for this return to form it was the inclusion of Voyta Skagel. For years our jigsaw had one piece missing and the experience and enthusiasm of Voyta supplied it. At last Pat [Darlaston] and Paul [Levin] had reliable support, and with David French and Martin Corder playing the devastating tennis they have long threatened, Voyta hit the angles and dropped mortars on baselines, letting Martin Bennett finish off muscle-stretched opponents.'
Meanwhile the Ladies' teams put up a stalwart effort, led by the redoubtable Shelagh Playford [now Mitchell], though they faced all kinds of problems in raising teams. Frank Raistrick's Captain's report comments: 'First team stalwarts Val Stone, Margaret Allan and Val Cooney [were] unable to play, Pippa Handley [was] out for the season. Jane Barton [was] away at University, and our improving youngsters, Siân McKim-Thomas, Charlotte Preston and Alison Trotman, laudably [were] putting 0-levels before tennis.'
Despite all the problems, the Ladies managed to raise both a first and a second team... 'Christine Preston played in all the 2nd team matches, well supported by Terry Wass and welcome newcomers, Jean Campbell, Anita Murray and Helen Solomonides.'
In Frank Raistrick's wonderfully atmospheric Captain's report for 1982, he recalls: 'The sight of our bedraggled juniors battling with Magdala in a freezing drizzle that made winter seem warm - I was shivering in the club-house! The terrifying thunder-clap at Sutton-in-Ashfield that drove eight cowardly men off court - Chris [Taylor] and I battling gallantly on to save a set point before joining them - how long do medals take to come through?'
One of the club's most outstanding juniors was Amanda Gregory who, though unseeded, won the International Winchester Under-12s Tournament, beating four seeds, including the No. 1. She went on to win the Plate Event in the Nationals, and won the under-18 British Legion Tournament in Nottinghamshire. Nationally she was invited by Sue Mappin to join the England under-14 squad under Winnie Wooldridge and Patty Hogan, and was invited to twice-weekly LTA coaching with Ann Jones. She achieved the no. 1 ranking in Nottinghamshire at under-14 and under-16 level.
And in the meantime work on improving the club's facilities continued to keep committee members fully occupied. Early in 1982 the committee began to investigate the possibility of a new toilet and shower block, and a third hard court. A 'Big Push' to raise money was begun in earnest, with a continuous succession of jumble sales and cheese and wine parties being organised by members. Also early in 1982 there was a change in the presidency with the retirement of joint-Presidents Robert and Sheila Pullman, who had served for five years. The committee thanked Robert and Sheila for their 'indefatigable efforts' on behalf of the club and in their place elected David Corder.