In the last twenty-five Clacton and District League seasons, only
four teams have taken the Division One title.
Brotherhood B have won it twice and Windsor Condors once but
otherwise the title has been dominated by two teams – the
legendary Brotherhood A team of Binns, Burgess, Andrews and
Stubbings, and the current Nomads Panthers’ side, both of whom
have won it eleven times.
And it would be a brave pundit who’d bet against the Panthers
making it a record twelfth consecutive title, with the Nomads’ star
strengthened even further by the addition of Denes Somodi.
Gary Young moves from Brotherhood A to Windsor Hawks to
replace his son Daniel which will mean the Brotherhood team will do
well to repeat last year’s runners-up position.
Paul Hume is included in an otherwise unchanged Nomads Lions’
squad and they, together with the new-look Walton A team of Price,
James, Foster, Willis and Binns, will all hope to be top-four
challengers.
John Hobson’s Windsor Eagles had an indifferent season in 2023/24
by their own high standards and they may well be pleased with
mid-table respectability.
Walton C struggled at the foot of the table last season but their
Knock-Out Cup win will surely inspire them to better things,
although they may well still feature in a relegation battle with Paul
Newbould’s Walton B, weakened by the absence of Gavin Price, and
promoted Lawford, this year including Glen Laing.
However, all eyes will also be on promoted Brotherhood B who
swept aside all before them in Division Two last year. With the two
Plummers and two Smith-Dayes supplemented by Daryl Lott, it will
be interesting to see how this quintet fare at the highest level.

In Division Two relegated Windsor Buzzards have added Scott
Campbell to their squad and they start as strong pre-season
favourites. Mark Salter’s Brotherhood D look the best of the rest.
Paul Woolnough replaces Scott Campbell in last season’s third-
placed team Windsor Penguins who also welcome Paul Stanton back
into the League ranks, while John Gallagher’s Brotherhood C, which
has developed into an all-round competitive side, is unchanged.
It’s good to see Tom Wilkin back in the table tennis fold leading the
Nomads Jaguars, whilst the new-look Nomads Tigers comprising
Jillins, Shafat, Wellum, Wilkinson and Miller will be relying heavily
on skipper Miller to steer them to safety.
Kevin Pryor’s addition to promoted Brotherhood E’s squad should be
the key to their survival whilst the other promoted side, Windsor
Harriers, make a first change to their squad in eleven seasons,
Barry Allen replacing Ferdy Rodriguez.
But the Harriers, like the unchanged Windsor Kestrels who finished
bottom last term, will both need to play well to keep clear of the
relegation zone where two promoted teams, Brotherhood G with
new signing Adhuna Das, and an unchanged Windsor Magpies, will
do well to survive.
With a number of new teams and new faces in Division Three, the
battle at the top may well develop into a two-horse race between
the talented juniors of Brotherhood F and ever-improving Nomads
Bobcats.
Lynette Sparks’ Walton D is unchanged and they will, as always, be
agreeable and competitive opponents whilst Kelvin Olano is a
welcome League, playing for Windsor Falcons who, with Ferdy
Rodrigues as first reserve, should be a competitive outfit.
Dominic Joannou is the only survivor in the Nomads Leopards side,
their much-changed side this year led by Ann Bonny, whilst
Nomads Ocelots contain five familiar faces in Hazel Blanche, Sue
Lee, Norman Jacobs, Andrew Cousins and Arthur Wells-Garrett who
will be hoping to avoid finishing bottom for a second year running.
And if you’re looking for a team to spring a surprise or two, watch
out for the new Brotherhood H team which includes the promising
De Silva brothers.
Finally, the League bids a warm welcome to four teams from the
new Holland Club.

All four teams are led by established players, with Club Secretary
leading Holland Lancasters, although it could be the Hurricanes,
headed by Ian Gwillim and Gerry Widnell, who prove to be the best
of the four Holland teams.
James Horsler and Mick Coker are the familiar names for the
Vulcans whilst Pam Blakeley’s Mosquitos complete the Holland
quartet.
So good luck to all competitors, both the long-established players
as well those taking their first steps in competitive table tennis but,
above all else, enjoy your table tennis.

Tony Oswick