Table tennis league is bringing home the Bacon

A Gainsborough man has made his table tennis comeback, after a 55-year layoff.
Clifford Bacon, 72  who is back playing table tennis for the first time since 1958 thanks to Steve Mason, league organiser at Gainsbrough Methodists Church.


26 June 2013
Image © Paul David Drabble
www.pauldaviddrabble.co.ukClifford Bacon, 72  who is back playing table tennis for the first time since 1958 thanks to Steve Mason, league organiser at Gainsbrough Methodists Church.


26 June 2013
Image © Paul David Drabble
www.pauldaviddrabble.co.uk
Clifford Bacon, 72 who is back playing table tennis for the first time since 1958 thanks to Steve Mason, league organiser at Gainsbrough Methodists Church. 26 June 2013 Image © Paul David Drabble www.pauldaviddrabble.co.uk

Clifford Bacon, 72, last played the sport as an 18-year-old.

But he shook off the rust to take part in the Gainsborough and District Summer League in May, and even picked up a point for his team.

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His return to the table, after more than half a century away from the sport, came thanks to a chance encounter with his neighbour Steve Mason – who happens to run the local league.

Clifford Bacon, 72 (Right) is back playing table tennis for the first time since 1958 thanks to Steve Mason, league organiser who plays at Gainsbrough Methodists Church.


26 June 2013
Image © Paul David Drabble
www.pauldaviddrabble.co.ukClifford Bacon, 72 (Right) is back playing table tennis for the first time since 1958 thanks to Steve Mason, league organiser who plays at Gainsbrough Methodists Church.


26 June 2013
Image © Paul David Drabble
www.pauldaviddrabble.co.uk
Clifford Bacon, 72 (Right) is back playing table tennis for the first time since 1958 thanks to Steve Mason, league organiser who plays at Gainsbrough Methodists Church. 26 June 2013 Image © Paul David Drabble www.pauldaviddrabble.co.uk

Steve told the Standard: “He moved here a few weeks ago and saw me in my tracksuit and asked if I was going jogging.”

“I told him I was going to a local school to teach table tennis and he explained how he used to play and would like to play again.”

“I said I was secretary of the local league and ran a club at the Methodist church and he came along and he’s loving it.”

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The league’s ‘new boy’ played as a teenager in the Gainsborough First Division, for Newell’s Factory at Misterton.

But 1958 was his last season, before working life took over.

“You don’t have time to do anything when you’re working away on the wagons,” he said.

Although he was a keen golfer, lung problems forced him to give that up recently.

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And a desire to exercise again has seen him return to his first sporting love.

“I’m playing in the summer league and enjoying it again.”

“I’m hoping it will all come back to me, Steve says it comes back but when you’re nearly 73 you can’t watch what the youngsters do.”

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