Alan Ransome is to be awarded an honorary degree by Teesside University.

The former chairman of the ETTA and current chairman of the Commonwealth Table Tennis Federation will become a Doctor in Professional Achievement at a graduation ceremony on November 25.

It is the latest in a long list of honours for a man who has been at the centre of the sport at regional, national and international levels for decades.

A member of the National Council since the age of 19, he is also a life member of the ETTA/Table Tennis England, has been presented with an ITTF Merit Award and was awarded the OBE for services to the sport.

He has also led the Ormesby team to the European Club championship, has coached England teams, organised many international championships including the World Student Games, and was manager of the GB table tennis team at the 1996 Olympics.

Now a date with academia beckons in his native north east, and he will receive an honorary degree alongside several other worthy individuals from the area, including comedian Bob Mortimer of Reeves and Mortimer fame.

Mr Ransome, 68, said: “I’m delighted to receive it and very pleased for the sport.

“Although I’ve been up front, over the years we’ve had a lot of people at all levels who have helped to push the sport forward. So although the award comes to me, it’s not for me, it’s for the sport.”

Neil Harwood, deputy chairman of the CTTF, paid tribute to Mr Ransome, saying: “Firstly my congratulations to Alan on this award. His work for table tennis, particularly in Great Britain, has been outstanding.

“The Commonwealth Federation I think would have died without his passion and his  contribution to the ETTU.”

Professor Graham Henderson CBE, Vice-Chancellor of Teesside University, said: “It really is going to be a huge privilege to award honorary degrees to such a diverse and talented group of people.

“I know our students will enjoy sharing their success with such influential individuals, and role models, and I am sure that they will all prove to be great ambassadors for our University and its community.”