When Colin Clemett, Paul Stimpson and I worked on the Centenary book we tried to establish all the players who had played for England at senior international level in matches which earned a cap. It was then realised we didn’t actually know how many caps had been awarded to each player and so it was decided to create such a record.

Going back nearly 100 years was going to take some time, so, initially it was agreed to start creating a record for the Association’s second century. This has been done and it will be fairly easy to keep up to date.

The rest of the project was going to be much lengthier. The first part was to establish a record prior to the Second World War, which seemed a good cut-off date to work to. That has been more or less completed – with many thanks to Gunther Angenendt and John Ruderham in particular for their input.

Stage 3, by far the biggest part of the project, which I am now working on is to create a record from post-war to 2021. Even at one year a week it is going to take well over a year to complete. So, to help break it down into a more manageable piece of work I thought it would be interesting to create a discrete record of all who had played in World Championships in team events as a starter.

It has been quite fascinating to work on and I hope you enjoy looking through the names as much as I have enjoyed creating the record. It is not complete, so any help with missing information would be appreciated.

Up until 1959, team events were held annually and from that date every two years, so, a lot harder to gain caps after that date. Nevertheless, there are a small number of players who are known to have reached the landmark of 50 caps in these championships and I think they deserve special recognition.

Lisa Bellinger (Lomas)

1983-1997 (eight championships). Although never winning a medal at the World Championships, Lisa was nonetheless the backbone of the England team during the 1980s and early 1990s. She reached a world high of 28 and won European Championships medals.

Richard Bergmann (for England)

1948-1957 (9). After becoming naturalised after World War II, Richard was eventually able to play for England in team events. He had already won several medals whilst playing for Austria and was a member of the England winning Swaythling Cup team in 1953, silver medallist in 1952 and bronze four times. He also won three gold medals whilst representing England in Men’s Singles and six other individual medals.

Desmond Douglas

1973-1995 (10). Des reached a world high of 7 and was at the top of the international stage for over 20 years. In 1983 he was a member of the Swaythling Cup team which finished fourth, so close to a medal. A multiple medallist in the European Championships.

Paul Drinkhall

2006 to date (7). Still going strong after nearly 20 years since he first played for England at senior level. A member of the team which won that bronze medal in the Swaythling Cup in 2016. Also, a gold medallist in the World Cadet Challenge in 2004.

Jill Hammersley (Parker)

1969-1981 (7). One medal at the World Championships in the Women’s Doubles in 1973, a bronze and a highest placing in the Corbillon Cup of fifth in 1975. A multiple medallist on the European stage.

Adrian Haydon

1928-1937 (8). Possibly the most overlooked England player. Adrian played in 17 World Championships and one of the few who played both pre and post war. He won two silver medals in the Swaythling Cup and three bronze, he then went on to captain the team in their triumph in 1953. The holder of eight other World Championships medals.

Johnny Leach

1947-1959 (12). A member of the winning Swaythling Cup team in 1953, runner-up in 1952 and third in 1949, 1950, 1954 and 1955. Twice Men’s Singles champion, semi-finalist once. Four times runner-up in the Men’s Doubles and semi-finalist once. Mixed Doubles runner-up once, semi-finalist twice. Played in 74 team matches in the World Championships alone.

Di Rowe (Scholer)

1951-1965 (11). The record for the most England appearances goes to Di at 75, just pipping Johnny Leach. Di then went on to play for Germany in many more World Championships. Whilst playing for England, the most impressive record of all, with two silvers and five bronze medals in the Corbillon Cup. Twice a winner of the Women’s Doubles and five times runner-up plus three bronze medals. One Women’s Singles bronze plus a silver in the Mixed Doubles and one bronze adds up to a most impressive haul. A multiple European medallist.

If you have played for England at senior level and have any details of your playing career, please get in touch to help create a very special record. Parents, friends, officials who may have information I would love to hear from you. Please email [email protected]