John Poysden of Thorpe Bay TTC, Fambridge TTC and Danbury TTC, and well known to so many players in Essex and beyond, has fulfilled a lifetime ambition by being selected to play for the England Over 70’s team.
He will make his debut in the Home Nations Tournament to be held at Nottingham Trent University from September 5th – 7th. Organised by VETTS he will face teams from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey. Making up the team of four are Phil Bowen, Gary Baldwin and David Tiplady.
John started his table tennis journey in 1970 in the Southend League and by 1980 was ranked number one. There then followed a long lay off whilst work and family took priority but was re-introduced to the game in 2005 after a chance meeting with current Southend League chairman Ken Field. Success in the league brought recognition from Essex and he currently captain’s the Essex Over 60’s team in the County Championships Premier Division. Not content with one captaincy John is also captain of Thorpe Bay TTC in Southend and Fambridge TTC in Burnham. Add to that he is also Vice Chairman of the Southend League. This current honour also makes him the first Southend player to represent England at this level.
Apart from all his local commitments John has competed countrywide in TTE and VETTS ranking events and his recent breakthrough into the top ten ranked players at this level made him eligible for England selection.
We wish John every success on his international debut in September and, who knows, maybe beyond that. One word of warning John, England are the reigning champions so no pressure!
Report by Paul Strutt