This month focuses on one of our most prominent and successful female players ever and current Table Tennis England President, Mrs Jill Parker, MBE.

In her playing career Jill reached No 1 in England (for many years) and also became European No 1 and 6 in the world. Honoured with an MBE in 1979, Jill also received several table tennis honours and awards including the Victor Barna Award in 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976 and 1979, the AK Vint Staff Award in 2011 plus becoming a Vice-President in 1989.

Jill’s playing record is outstanding, seven times English National Women’s Singles Champion, eight times Women’s Doubles Champion and twice Mixed Doubles Champion. At the English Open, Jill won the Women’s Singles on three occasions and the Women’s Doubles twice.

In 1976 Jill won two gold medals at the European Championships; in the Women’s Singles and Women’s Doubles with Linda Howard (Jarvis). Jill also became Champion in the Europe Top 12 on three occasions. The Commonwealth Championships saw a further eight gold medals to add to the tally.

1. Jill Shirley, England No 1 Junior, aged 16 years

 

2. Jill Hammersley, a demonstration push

 

3. Jill with the English Open Women’s Singles Trophy which she won in 1976, 1979 and 1980

 

4. Jill, as European Champion, opening a Van Allan shop in Slough – the bat was borrowed from a local sports shop

 

5. Jill with Desmond Douglas, at the English Open in 1980 where they both took the Singles titles

 

6. Jill with Coach, Don Parker, at the Welsh Open in 1980

 

7. Jill with the National Championships Women’s Singles Trophy, presented by ETTA Chairman, Tom Blunn in 1981, one of the seven occasions Jill won the title

 

8. Jill on the podium at the European Championships in 1982, this time as runner-up, having won the title in 1976

 

 

9. Jill in classic defending mode. . .

 

 

10. . . . and with a more unusual forehand smash

 

 

11. Linda Howard with Jill, a very successful doubles partnership which took the European Championships title in 1976 as well as many other titles along the way

 

 

12. A Disabled/Able Bodied Coaching Project with Jill

 

 

13. At the English Open in 1992 in Birmingham, Jill, with husband Don Parker, help recreate the early days of table tennis with vellum racquets

 

14. The Commonwealth Games, 2006, in Australia, where Jill acted as coach

 

15. Receiving a presentation from the England squad after the match against Australia in Preston in 2014, to commemorate her coaching retirement

 

Friday’s Photos Number 90: December 2, 2016

Last month there was a selection of photographs where many people were unknown. Many thanks to all who have supplied information.

Any additional photos to add to the TTE Archive Collection are always welcome as is any additional information on any photos that have been posted on Friday’s Photos since August 2014.

I can be contacted on [email protected]

With Lisa Lomas (l to r) are Stephanie Mangle, Rosie Mangle, Michelle Tsang, Claire Wilson. This was taken at the World Championships, 1997, Manchester. The four girls, aged 10 years, all went on to become county juniors with Claire also reaching the top 12 in England.

 

Greg Baker and Matt Kenny with Alan Ransome. National Championships Junior Champion was Matt Kenny with Greg the Runner-up. The tournament was played 19-20th May 2001 at the Robin Park Arena & Sports Centre, Wigan. Coincidentally, Matt and Greg were both with the Paralympic Squad in Rio in the summer of 2016.

 

Zoltan Fejer-Konnerth, Germany

 

Paul Elphick, British League Horsham Angels, Horsham TTC, Broadbridge Heath, Sussex. In the background is Alan Cole of Sussex.

 

 England International, Melody Ludi.

 

Graham Sandley with Andrew Bellingham. Winners of the Junior Boys Doubles, 16-17th December 1978 at Sandford Sports Centre, Leicester Polytechnic.

 

 No additional information.

 

 No additional information.

 

 No additional information.

 

 This is an interesting one. John Ruderham from Bristol has sent me another photo which was taken at the same time but showing some more people to the left of the original photo which includes Aubrey Simon and Ivor Eyles of Bristol in it. Unfortunately, no further details are forthcoming.

 

No additional information.

 

Ramga Ramanujan, President of India TTA is on the far right at the front.

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