Going from strength to strength

Glossop Table Tennis Club is growing all the time thanks to leader Dennis Bradshaw and his team of coaches.

The club was formed around 12 years go with the help of local league stalwart Mike Flynn, who helped to secure grants to get it off the ground.

It started in a small way with four tables at Philip Howard Sports College, now there are 14, most owned by the club, at Glossopdale School.

Coach Barry Fordham, who also runs after school table tennis sessions all over Glossop, jokingly speaks of the club having an international flavour.

It seems that a Russian family living locally dropped in for a game, liked what was on offer and are now regulars.

Barry likes the family influences at the Saturday afternoon coaching sessions - parents bring their children and they play with and against each other.

There are no age restrictions at the club.

Experienced players like 83-year- old John Ashworth go down for the coaching to improve certain aspects of their game.

There’s also young players new to the sport who, thanks to Dennis and his team, go on to play in the Glossop and other leagues.

Barry talks of a cohort of young players who are already making an impact and a group of youngsters who will follow in their footsteps.

Players are attracted from the High Peak, Tameside...even Russia!