The History of the Darlington Table Tennis League
The aim of this page is to compile a history of the D.T.T.L.
When did you join the D.T.T.L? Do you remember a time when there were
six divisions of 72 teams? Do you have any stories, press cuttings,
photographs or any other information which might help to compile a
history of the League? If you can help, either E-Mail or send the
information to me. Any photographs, press cuttings etc will be treated
with great care and sent back to you as soon as possible.
The information received so far suggests that the League was formed
in 1936 by Mr Witherspoon who could have been the first League Secretary.
After a 'break' for WW2, the League reformed in 1945.
The first Life President was Mr Henry Senior. He didn't play table
tennis(?), but had an 'interest' and was connected to the Railway
Institute.
The 'A' Division trophy was donated before the war by Mr Simpson who had
a Sports Shop in Blackwellgate.(Simpson Sports moved to Post House Wynd
many years ago). Unfortunately this trophy 'disappeared'and his son,
Mr David Simpson, kindly donated a replacement. Whatever happened to the
original trophy?
We play a 'handicap' cup every season for a trophy known as the
Week's Cup. Who was Mr Week? A suggestion is that this trophy was
donated by Mr Ronnie Week, who worked at the Telephone Exchange.
The Junior Cup was donated by a 'man from Scarborough?' Who was this man
and what was his connection to our League?
If you can help with any of these queries or can supply any information
which may help to compile a history of the D.T.T.L. then:
The Webmaster.
Most recent update: September 2003.
The following is an extract from the E.T.T.A. Official Handbook (1936-37)
My thanks to Richard Scruton for providing this information.
Darlington & District Table Tennis League (Founded 1935)
President: D M Simpson, Esq. Woodburn Drive, Darlington
Chairman: Mr R M Smith. Yarm Road, Darlington
E.T.T.A. Rep: As Above
Hon Treasurer: B Glover. Coniscliffe Road, Darlington
Hon Secretary: R Newton. Oakhurst Road, Darlington
Number of Clubs: 15. Divisions: 2. Approximate membership: 250.
Clubs and Secretaries' Addresses
Gainford Literary Institute T.T.C. - Mr G Allan, Gainford.
Greenbank T.T.C. - Mr C Anderson, Woodlands Road, Darlington.
Haughton T.T.C. - Mr H Wastell, The Green, Haughton-le-Skern.
Holy Trinity T.T.C. - Mr R Ferguson, Brinkburn Road, Darlington
Hope Wilson T.T.C. - Mr J Denham, Leyburn Road, Darlington
Juniors T.T.C. - Mr W. L. Witherspoon, Belvedere Road, Darlington
Men's Adult School T.T.C. - Mr Gregory, Lloyd's Bank Chambers, Darlington
Paradise Chapel T.T.C. - Mr W. D. Hilton, Portland Place, Darlington
Post Office T.T.C. - Mr Richardson, Park Lane, Darlington
Rise Carr T.T.C. - Mr A Stockdale, Eldon Street, Darlington
St Cuthbert's T.T.C. - Mr J Bland, Victoria Embankment, Darlington
St Hilda's T.T.C. - Mr Burnison, Grosvenor Street, Darlington
St Luke's T.T.C. - Mr D A Jardine. St Paul's Vicarage, Darlington
Y.M.C.A. T.T.C. - Mr D Chapman, Greenbank Road, Darlington.
The following is an extract taken from the minutes of an Executive
Committee meeting dated 1st October 1976:
Present: B. Newton, F. Peacock, A. Brown, A. Wright, C. Cruddace and
K. Wilson.
After careful consideration the following leagues were compiled:
DIVISION 1
| No. |
Team |
Home Night |
| 1 |
D.E.S. 'A' |
Wed |
| 2 |
D.E.S. 'B' |
Wed |
| 3 |
Railway 'A' |
Mon |
| 4 |
Cleveland 'A' |
Wed |
| 5 |
D.T.T.C. 'A' |
Thurs |
6 |
D.E.S. 'C' |
Wed |
| 7 |
Haughton 'A' |
Fri |
| 8 |
Pierremont Meths |
Mon |
| 9 |
D.T.T.C. 'B' |
Thurs |
| 10 |
Eastbourne 'A' |
Tues |
DIVISION 2
| No. |
Team |
Home Night |
| 1 |
Wm Press 'A' |
Mon |
| 2 |
NALGO 'A' |
Wed |
| 3 |
D.T.T.C. 'C' |
Mon |
| 4 |
D.T.T.C. 'E' |
Tues |
| 5 |
Eastbourne 'B' |
Fri |
6 |
D.E.S. 'D' |
Tues |
| 7 |
Railway 'B' |
Mon |
| 8 |
D.T.T.C. 'D' |
Mon |
| 9 |
Whessoe 'A' |
Tues |
| 10 |
M.S.G. |
Mon |
DIVISION 3
| No. |
Team |
Home Night |
| 1 |
D.E.S. 'E' |
Mon |
| 2 |
Fire Station 'A' |
Tues |
| 3 |
Patons 'A' |
Mon |
| 4 |
Col Of Ed. 'A' |
Wed |
| 5 |
Whessoe 'B' |
Tues |
6 |
Wm Press 'B' |
Wed |
| 7 |
Nomads |
Mon |
| 8 |
Midland Bank |
All Away |
| 9 |
Bowater 'A' |
Tues |
| 10 |
D.T.T.C. 'F' |
Tues |
DIVISION 4
| No. |
Team |
Home Night |
| 1 |
D.E.S. 'F' |
Tues |
| 2 |
Wm Press 'C' |
Thurs |
| 3 |
D.B.S. 'A' |
Mon |
| 4 |
Haughton 'B' |
Fri |
| 5 |
Whessoe 'C' |
Thurs |
6 |
D.E.S. 'G' |
Mon |
| 7 |
Patons 'B' |
Tues |
| 8 |
Col of Ed. 'B' |
Tues |
| 9 |
D.H.S.S. 'A' |
Wed |
| 10 |
Col of Tech. 'A' |
Mon |
DIVISION 5
| No. |
Team |
Home Night |
| 1 |
Fire Station 'B' |
Wed |
| 2 |
Bowater 'B' |
Wed |
| 3 |
D'ton Railway Plant |
Mon |
| 4 |
LLoyds Bank |
All Away |
| 5 |
Q.E.S.F.C. 'A' |
Mon |
6 |
D.E.S. 'H' |
Mon |
| 7 |
Wm Press 'D' |
Tues |
| 8 |
Cleveland 'B' |
Tues |
| 9 |
Nalgo 'B' |
Thurs |
| 10 |
D.T.T.C. 'G' |
Wed |
DIVISION 6
| No. |
Team |
Home Night |
| 1 |
D.E.S. 'I' |
Mon |
| 2 |
D.E.S. 'J' |
Tues |
| 3 |
Patons 'C' |
Thursw |
| 4 |
D.H.S.S. 'B' |
Thurs |
| 5 |
Col of Tech 'B' |
Tues |
6 |
D.E.S. 'K' |
Wed |
| 7 |
D.S.R.M. |
All Away |
| 8 |
D.B.S. 'B' |
Wed |
| 9 |
Eastbourne 'C' |
Tues |
| 10 |
Q.E.S.F.C. 'B' |
Mon |
Meeting closed 10.20pm
