Harvey Webb by SwaythlingClub

A Tribute by Diane Webb

PHOTO: RICHARD

A life dedicated to table tennis

Harvey John Webb

Date and place of birth: 17th May 1944. Edmonton, London. County: Middlesex, Dorset, Sussex.

Honours and Awards:

ETTA: Honorary Life Member 9th July 2011. Vice-President 1986.

Ivor Montagu Award 1981.

AK Vint Staff Award 2004.

Swaythling Club International: Honorary Member.

National Positions: ETTA: Vice-Chairman Competitions and Board Member 25th April 2013-14.

National Events Manager 2000-2011.

British League Committee Member 2001-11.

Calendar Working Party Chairman 1997-2001, Member 2001-11, Chairman 2011-17* merged with Tournaments Committee to become Tournaments Approval Panel in 2017.

Competitions Committee Member 2011-13.

English Championships Committee Secretary 1977-79, 1980-90.

English Championships Intermediate Committee Secretary 1979-80.

English Championships Senior & Junior Committee Secretary 1979-80.

English Junior Closed Assistant Organiser 1981/82.

English U21 Closed Championships Committee Member 1978/79.

English Open Championships Tournament Manager, Steering Group Member and Committee Member 2011, Steering Group Committee Secretary 2009, Committee Member 1985/86.

English Junior Open (Worthing Junior International Championships Organising Committee Member 1978-79.

European League Committee Chairman 2013-14.

Grand Prix Committee Chairman 1999-2001, Secretary 1999-2011.

International Matches Sub-Group of National Championships Member 2009-10, Secretary 2010-11.

Major Championships/Events Feasibility Committee Secretary 199294, Member 1994-95, 2001-03, Chairman 2013-14.

Marketing Committee Secretary 1992-95, Member 2011-13.

Marketing & Sponsorship Committee Member 2001-10, Secretary 2010-11.

Membership Services Panel Member 1994-2001.

National Championships Committee Member 1999-2014, Tournament Director 1992, Organiser 2000, Assistant Organiser 1981/82.

National Events Committee Member 1995-99.

National Team Competitions Committee Member 2001-06.

Network Review Group Member 2015-19.

Promotions and Merchandising Committee Member 2001-03.

Sponsorship Committee Secretary 1992-94.

Tournaments Approval Panel (TAP) Joint Chairman* initially with Steve Welch 2017 -2020.

Tournaments Committee Member 2006-11, 2015-17.

Tournament Organisers Qualifications Committee Chairman 200001, Secretary 2000-01, Member 2001-11. Wrote papers/exams for

Swaythling Club:

courses L1 to L4, ran numerous courses and assessor for all levels. Trade Committee Chairman 1992-95, Member 2015-16.

Veterans’ Development Committee.

Deputy President 8th May 2019-December 2021, Secretary December 2021 to date (2024), Director of Sponsorship & Advertising 2017-2019, Member 2013 to date (2024), England National Representative 2016 to date (2024).

County Positions: Dorset County TTA: National Councillor 1990-2001, Umpires Secre tary 1988-2001.

Middlesex County TTA: Minutes Secretary. Sussex County TTA: League Representative.

Local Positions:

Willesden & District TTL: General Secretary 1972-76.

Worthing & District TTL: Chairman 1978-79, Treasurer 1976-78, County Representative 1976-79.

Regional Positions: Southern Region Committee: Veterans Representative 1991-92. Southern Region Committee: Veterans Representative 1991-92. South West Regional Committee: 1994-95.

North Bournemouth 1* Open: Organiser 1989-90.

Qualifications:

Tournament Organiser: Level 4 29th October 1998. Wrote papers/exams for courses L1 to L4, ran numerous courses and assessor for all levels.

Umpire: County Umpire 1981.

Referee: Tournament Referee 1985.

Playing Career: Open Tournaments:

Jersey Satellite GP: Men’s Team QF 2013/14 (Mick Strode). Played in Willesden, Harrow & Wembley, West Middlesex, Worthing, Southampton, Bournemouth, Wimborne, Blackmore Vale, Eastbourne, Hastings Leagues.

Several National Championships, English Opens x 2, several World and European Veteran Championships.

Major Events: World Championships 1977: Birmingham, Umpires Sub-Committee and Umpires Control. 1996-97: Manchester, Hospitality Director.

Commonwealth Games: Deputy Competition Manager, Manchester in 2002.

World Veteran Championships: Venue Director, Manchester 1998.

Euro ’94: Venue Director.

European Qualifying Tournament for the Olympic Games: Hospitality Director 1996.

European Youth Top Ten: Tournament Manager, Sheffield 2008.

English Open: From 1978-2001, all except one. Organiser or Assistant Organiser at most. Venue Director 1991/92, Tournament Manager 2011.

English Junior Open (Worthing Junior International): Tournament Organiser 12th-13th May 1979.

National Championships: All Senior since 1978 to 2012 in various capacities including Assistant Organiser, Tournament Organiser, MC. Many Junior, Cadet and age related Championships. U11-U13 National Championships: Organiser 2003/04.

Internationals: Too numerous to mention. Various positions. Major events included India Tour 2009, many European Nations League matches, Six Nations/Home Countries, Cadet Six Nations.

Grand Prix:

Over 100 in total.

Sussex Open GP: Organiser 2000/01, 2001/02. Newtownabbey Open GP: 2002/03, with Mick Strode.

Ocean International Open: Summer 2004, Event Manager.

Jersey Satellite GP: Easter 2013 took over the running with Diane when Mick Strode suffered a stroke shortly before the tournament.

Masters Tournaments: Commonwealth Masters Invitation – 17th May 2002, Wembley Conference Centre (televised by BBC); Continental Masters Organiser -The Crucible, Sheffield August 2003; Fairfield Hall, Croydon 23rd July 2004 (Organising Committee); Dunlop Masters - Royal Albert Hall x 2 (Technical Manager) and earlier events.

British Open Para Championships: Technical Consultant, Sheffield, 2011.

Island Games: Technical Consultant, Jersey 2016.

VETTS: Organiser of Southern Masters 1984-94. Organiser of National Masters 1984-94.

Other Events:

Cadet Six Nations 3rd-5th June 1988, Bletchley, Assistant Organiser and Secretary of the Organising Committee. Dorset County Closed: Organiser 1990/91, 1991/92, 1995/96.

Table Tennis Times: Co-contributor and Editor

Harvey worked for over 30 years as a volunteer before joining the ETTA as it’s National Events Manager and has continued working in a voluntary capacity since his retirement up to 2020.

Only the major events are listed there were many more at which he worked at.

Recognition

Matthew Syed on the National Championships February 2006: “Harvey Webb (the doyen of tournament organisers with more experience than Treebeard of the Ents)”.

Matthew Syed on Harvey after the Dunlop Masters, Royal Albert Hall, May 2009: “As so often Harvey Webb and the ETTA events team offered considerable experience, knowledge and good-humoured support on the night. Having worked with Harvey over many years, it is always wonderful to know you have the most experienced competition manager in the business in the team”.

Matthew Syed on Harvey’s retirement in 2011

Harvey is one of the true legends of English table tennis. He has been at the heart of the biggest events in this nation’s history; his tireless hard work, enduring enthusiasm, and clearheaded judgement have often been the difference between success and disaster.

Always a pleasure to work with, Harvey symbolises much that is most admirable about English table tennis. He has not only been an excellent events manager for the ETTA, but he has also worked as a volunteer, advisor and general counsellor for the sport

On Harvey’s retirement: “Harvey Webb, National Events Manager, retired from the ETTA on 31st March 2011 for a well earned rest. A collection had been held by Management Committee and ETTA staff, which totalled Ł200, Harvey will be spending it on his model railway. He will retain his close links with the ETTA as a volunteer, serving on various committees and no doubt we will see him again in the very near future”.

Many people showed their appreciation on Harvey’s retirement and below are a selection of their thoughts:

Keith Ponting, President, Honorary Life Member:

You were outstanding as a volunteer and equally so in your professional role as the best National Events Manager the ETTA has ever had. You have a record to be proud of. It has been an enormous pleasure, indeed privilege, knowing and working with you all these years and I certainly hope that you will continue to be involved and keep in touch”.

Vanda Jones, ETTA Events Administrator: Harvey, you have always been more than a work colleague. You have been my friend for many years.

Mick Strode, Vice-President, top referee and umpire: It’s been a pleasure working with on of the greats of TT.

Christine and Michael Lewis, Vice-President and Honorary Life Member respectively: What a bummer – losing the best of the best. Thank you so much for being a friend and colleague over the years.

Doug Young, Honorary Life Member, world class referee: As an organiser you were a tower of strength to me in my days as referee and I very much appreciated your tremendous support. I have valued your friendship over the years.… and later in a letter – I am one of the very many that have come to be grateful to you. I valued your tremendous help and support during the period in which I held important positions as a volunteer with the ETTA.

Matt Porter, Events team:

I can’t thank you enough for all your help over the years Including all the times you went above and beyond the call of the boss.

Doreen Stannard, Honorary Life Member: Harvey – My Rock, We have worked closely together for over 40 years – never a cross word – a loyal friend, who has always given support whatever we were doing, from the time we worked together in the Worlds in 1977 to date. If you were operating from a Pukka Office or a broom cupboard you coped 101% and always inspired others to do the same. I am aware of the saying that No one is indispensable but with you Harvey the mould was certainly broken! A friendship I cherish.

Collette, Colleague:

You are a very kind and gentle man with a wicked sense of humour. The ETTA will be losing one of its all time greats.

Steve Smith, top referee: Thank you for all the guidance you’ve given me over the last few years and getting me in a position to referee on the National circuit.

Ron (Bribar): It’s the end of an era!! You are a legend and it’s been a pleasure knowing and working with you.

Steen Kyst Hansen, England Manager and coach:

Always perfect, professional, kind and helpful ….. still the same top service delivered with a smile and good humour. Big thanks for everything.

Stan Clarke, Honorary Life Member and top umpire: Can’t tell what a pleasure it has been to work with you over the past years. Your choice of ties and jackets have always been a source of amusement.

John Mackey, Vice-President and top umpire:

What a marvellous job! English table tennis will miss you greatly. Thanks for all your hard work and dedication over the years – you are an inspiration to many!

Mark Willerton, Regional Development Officer: To Harvey, You superstar! You will be very missed.

Geoff Ware, Grand Prix Press Officer:

It has been an absolute pleasure to work alongside you in many events at the ETTA. You have been so helpful, unflappable and an inspiration to me in my role as GP Press Officer. You are a star!

Mike Smith, Honorary Life Member:

It has been an honour, privilege and pleasure – as well as an education – to work with you over the years.

Alan and Jose Ransome, Honorary Life Member, former Chairman and Vice-President respectively:

Many thanks for all your help over so many years. You have been an important part of so many very successful events. Your contribution to English table tennis has been great.

Stuart Sherlock, Honorary Life Member, world class referee: To a man I am proud to call a friend! You are a true professional and should be very proud of your career and went out on a fantastic high.

Chris Band, Jersey TTA President: Harvey has been a fantastic ambassadeur for the ETTA. His help towards other Associations and the promotion of table tennis is legendary. He worked amazingly hard and was always ready to help others in the ping pong brotherhood. His support and encouragement in particular of the JTTA has helped our Association no end with the result that many jersey players have travelled to compete in ETTA 2*, 3* and 4* tournaments as well as Senior Grand Prix events. Without Harvey’s input and inspiration this would not have happened.

Kelly Sibley, England International:

Thank you for all you’ve done. Will miss your England tie and jacket.

Darius Knight, England International:

To Harvey Webb, Your biggest fan Darius Knight. I will have no-one to call up late at nights and last minute calls. I’m going to miss you a lot. So sorry you are going, NOBODY LIKE YOU.

Chris Beckley, Regular Player on the GP Circuit:

Here’s wishing you the best for the future. However, I and the rest of the table tennis fraternity will forever be grateful for all your hard work for our sport over many years. I in particular remember how and when you took over the reins of the Grand Prix series amidst serious doubts, but your dedication and professionalism ensured fantastic success and joys it has brought into the lives of so many. May I take this opportunity to truly thank you for a magnificent job well done, and wish you continued joy and success for the future.

Alan Cooke and family, England International and coach:

Thanks for everything you’ve done over the many years you’ve been involved in TT! You were always extremely helpful in every way, both in a personal and professional way!

Keith and Teresa Doran, Parents:

Your calm assurance and common sense will be sadly missed in an organisation often lacking in those virtues.On a personal note I first met you at a Senior Grand Prix in Bath about eight years ago, you were kind enough to give me 20 minutes of your time and explained the rules and conditions to a “novice”.

Since that time you have been a good friend to all our family.

Hannah Hicks, England International: I remember the first time I met you five years ago in 2006 at the Bath Grand Prix, where you presented me with the ‘Player of the Tournament’ trophy and blimey haven’t the last few years gone by quickly! Now I say farewell to you receiving my first National title from you! I would like to thank you for all your generosity, support and friendship over the last 5 years.

Matthew Syed, England International:

Ryan Jenkins, Welsh International: Harvey has been supportive and flexible to the top performers, who I may add must be a nuisance on occasions as we all believe we should have this or deserve that, and he always gives us the time of day. He always liked shaking my hand at the end of the tournament and giving me a large cheque to take back over the bridge! I

always associate Harvey as the man to give me lots of money….

Moreover and away from the table, Harvey is a kind and friendly man.

Colin Clemett, Honorary Life Member on behalf of the NURC: On behalf of the NURC may I say how sorry we are to learn of your retirement. For many years we have been grateful for your friendly and willing co-operation and the Office won’t be the same without you.

The Drinkhalls’ England International and family: Harvey you are an absolutely lovely person and table tennis is better for having had you in it.

(back row) Don Parker, Stuart Sherlock, Harvey Webb, Alan Ransome, Alan Hydes (front row) Karen Tonge, Jill Parker, Jose Ransome

The English branch of the Swaythling Club in 2023 of which Harvey Webb was the national representative.

Condolences

Paul Day, National Champion and England International: Harvey will always be remembered by everyone who met him – he loved the game and all the people involved admired him, and loved him. All his awards were richly deserved.

Martin Clark, former ETTA Treasurer and Honorary Life Member: Harvey will be remembered as a great stalwart of table tennis worldwide although his work and friendship created throughout his time with ETTA stands out in my mind with great fondness. Always there at pertinent times throughout his outstanding times with us with his knowledge and humour.

Kevin Long, Hastings Committee Member: I always considered him worthy of the utmost respect, not only for his commitment to table tennis but as a fellow human being.

Colin Wilson, England International: It will never be the same without Harvey’s grin, wit, warmth and respect to greet me – which is what happened to me on every occasion we ever met. What a contribution to humanity he was.

Sanja Clayton, National Champion and top VETTS player: Harvey was always so gentle and kind with that incredible aura of calmness.

Noel Sewell, TTE Vice-President: Harvey gave so much to the great table tennis game in so many ways and over so many years that he leaves the rarest legacy.

Bi Haibo, Minister Counselor, Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in the UK: I had the privilege of making acquaintance with Harvey. He was a great man of warmth, wisdom and passion. We are deeply grateful for his admirable efforts and contributions to advancing “ping pong diplomacy” and friendship between the two peoples of China and the UK. May his spirit and legacy live in our hearts and continue to inspire future generations.

Claude Bergeret, President of the SCI and World Mixed Doubles Champion: Harvey was a kind and caring man. Not to mention his skills and love for table tennis. He was always fair and always in favour of discussion and compromise. We will not forget his prudent advice and his charisma.

My thoughts are with Harvey’s daughter Chloe and her two sons, Logan and Louie, as well as all other family and friends.

Monday 12th June 2023,

Harvey Webb (right) alongside Alan Hydes (left) and Bi Haibo (centre) at the Chinese Embassy in London

Table Tennis England

Obituary: Harvey Webb, a great stalwart of table tennis

November 18, 2024 | Diane Webb

Table tennis in England lost a true stalwart of the sport when Harvey Webb passed away earlier this month at the age of 80 after a brief illness.

Below, his wife Diane pays tribute to Harvey. The thoughts of all at Table Tennis England are with Diane and family at this difficult time.

Tribute to Harvey Webb (17 May 1944-7 November 2024)

It all began with Subbuteo. Born in Potters Bar, Harvey later moved with his mum and dad and older sister, Deirdre, to the Goat in Boots in Chelsea. The pub had a very eclectic mix of customers from stars of the stage and screen, script writers for the BBC along with cops and villains, although it was not always easy to tell which were which!

However, it was a childhood paradise for Harvey as he had a whole floor above the pub as his playroom. School friends were frequent visitors and Subbuteo one of their favourite games; always the Arsenal team for Harvey – he had been a season ticket holder with his dad since he was five. One of his friends had a huge kitchen and a table tennis top was usually in place over the kitchen table and so began a lifelong love of the game.

Harvey in his youth played table tennis at a social level, mainly at a youth club as so many did in those days. He loved all sport and was in his school football and cricket teams as well as playing for clubs in his late teens and early 20s. Cycling was another passion and along with a couple of other members of his cycling club he cycled one year to Annecy in the South of France, over the Alps.

It was heady times in central London in the late 50s and early 60s and Harvey was a regular at many concerts and gigs and rubbed shoulders with some of the top musicians of the day, especially at The Marquee which saw the emergence of so many bands. He had a lifelong love of music, especially jazz.

However, table tennis was always in the background and when Harvey went to work for NCR (National Cash Registers) he founded a table tennis club there in the late 1960s, winning his first trophy in 1967/68. By 1972 he was playing in the Willesden & District League and became their General Secretary from 1972-76, taking over from the legendary Laurie Landry.

Later on, Harvey was recruited to the Middlesex County Committee where there were some of the greats of English table tennis, including Doreen Stannard and John Wright. He soon became an integral part of their organisation and this resulted in him being selected to be one of the Umpires Control at the World Championships in Birmingham in 1977, in charge of 134 umpires along with Fred Groom and Doreen Stannard, Harvey’s first taste of a major tournament.

In 1974 Harvey moved to Worthing and for a while continued playing in Middlesex before joining the Local League, as both player and administrator, taking up positions of Treasurer, Chairman and County Representative, also serving on the Sussex County Committee.

Another move in 1982, a little further along the south coast, saw Bournemouth benefit from Harvey’s growing expertise and knowledge and once again he was immersed in club, league and county roles as well as becoming a prominent Tournament Organiser and umpiring many county and British League matches.

He had already made his mark at national and international level: in 1977 he had been appointed as the English Championships Committee Secretary. There followed a plethora of positions within the ETTA: Calendar Working Party Chairman and Member, Grand Prix Committee Chairman, Marketing Committee Secretary, National Championships Committee Member, Sponsorship Committee Secretary, Trade Committee Chairman and Member, Veterans’ Development Committee, British League, European League, National Team Competitions Committee positions and many, many more.

One of Harvey’s proudest achievements was to introduce in 1999, a qualification scheme for Tournament Organisers thus putting them on a par with Umpires and Referees as Technical Officials. By the time of his retirement in 2011, over 150 volunteers had qualified at various levels with Harvey being one of only six who were awarded the elite level 4. Harvey wrote the test papers and exams for all four levels as well as running numerous courses, including one in Northern Ireland with Mick Strode, he was also the assessor for all levels.

Another area he was particularly proud of was the introduction of the Grand Prix series in 1997, along with Mike Johns and Mick Strode, which went on to become the cornerstone of the ETTA’s competition programme and which regularly attracted over 200 competitors from the UK, other European countries and as far away as Australia. Initially, there were 12 Grands Prix a season along with finals. Harvey organised well over 100 individual tournaments.

In 2000, Harvey had a final move to Hastings when he was appointed as the National Events Manager, a position he held until 2011, his perfect job, to which he was totally dedicated. During his tenure, Harvey oversaw a huge domestic competition programme, he was also instrumental in organising many other major events, including the European Junior Top 10 in 2008 where he was the Tournament Manager, ITTF Pro Tour in 2009 where he was the Steering Group Secretary and author of the bid document, Tournament Manager for the English International Championships in 2011, otherwise known as the English Open.

Added to which were Cadet Six Nations and Home Countries Internationals, Masters tournaments at Wembley Conference Centre, The Crucible and Fairfield Halls, England’s home international matches in the European Nations League and numerous other international matches including a three-match tour by India in 2009.

Harvey worked at many major events as well as that first one in 1977. At the World Championships in 1997 he was the Hospitality Director and, a year later, Venue Director at the World Veteran Championships, both in Manchester. At the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in 1992, European Championships in 1994 and the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002 as Deputy Competition Manager. From 1978-2001 Harvey held a major position at every English Open bar one, including Hospitality Director in 1996, the first ever ITTF Pro Tour event.

It wasn’t only the ETTA that benefitted from Harvey’s considerable experience, having spent his time, from 1984 to 1994, as the Tournament Organiser for the VETTS Southern and National Masters.

Upon his retirement, Harvey did not stay idle. In 2013 he was elected to the ETTA Board as Vice-Chairman of Competitions during that transition year from Hastings to Milton Keynes and all the associated changes which came with the Portas Report. In addition, he was a member of a small panel which looked at how to implement the governance changes. Furthermore, Harvey subsequently became a member of the Network Review Group which aimed at ensuring the changes continued to be relevant and could recommend further modernisation.

Harvey’s expertise as a Tournament Organiser continued to be in demand and he was called upon to be the Technical Advisor at the British Open Para Championships in 2011 and a Technical Consultant at the Island Games in Jersey in 2016.

Looking back at so many events, over 100 National Championships at various levels, as well as those already listed and numerous more, Harvey used to say the two events he enjoyed the most were those which were held at the Royal Albert Hall as part of Matthew Syed’s Masters series. They were two very special nights in 2006 and 2007 at such an iconic venue which had seen world-class table tennis in the past on a number of occasions.

After Harvey’s involvement with the ETTA lessened, he was honoured and privileged to be invited to join the Swaythling Club International where he held several positions – Sponsorship Director, Deputy President and latterly, Secretary. It is an organisation whose ethos and values strongly mirrored Harvey’s own and gave him the opportunity to once again help others and use his sound judgement and knowledge.

Harvey remained a player until last season when, due to injury, he was unable to continue. He had played in 10 Local leagues, several National Championships, two English Opens, many Open tournaments in England when he was younger and a number of World and European Veteran Championships. These gave us the opportunity to travel by train across much of Europe to Stockholm, Alicante, Bratislava, Porec and many other towns and cities. Our last trip was to Rome this summer where we had the most wonderful time – and after 23 years, Harvey did get me on a plane.

It was while playing in the Hastings League that Harvey and I first met, I was a Saint and he was a Tiger, maybe that should have been the other way around! We had 23 good years together.

A County Umpire in 1981, a Tournament Referee in 1985, and a Level 4 Tournament Organiser in 1998, Harvey was richly rewarded with several honours by the ETTA – The Ivor Montagu Award in 1981, A Vice-President in 1986, the A K Vint, OBE Staff Award in 2004 and an Honorary Life Member in 2011.

A lifetime dedicated to the sport he loved, which gave Harvey rich rewards in the way of friendship and enormous respect. I thank everyone for their kind and thoughtful messages.

Harvey slipped away peacefully in his sleep on 7 November 2024 at St Michael’s Hospice in Hastings after having been diagnosed with mesothelioma only two weeks before. Cancer, as a result of exposure to asbestos, although Harvey never worked with it and had no idea when he may have been in contact. It can lie dormant for 50 years or more.

at the 2012 English

held from Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th March at Ponds Forge Sheffield.

Harvey Webb

National Championships

PHOTO: STEVE PARKIN

Diane Webb, the Author

PHOTO: DIANE WEBB