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.

A Couple of Retirement Messages from 2011

Doreen Stannard, Honorary Life Member, Hon Past President of the ETTA:  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.

Matthew Syed, England International and National Champion: 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 clear-headed 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.

A Selection of Condolence Messages 2024

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.

A service to celebrate Harvey’s life will be held at Hastings Crematorium, The Ridge, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 2AE on Monday, 9 December 2024 at 12.15pm.

Harvey did not want it to be a sad occasion but a celebration of a very eventful life. He requested that the gentlemen wear brightly coloured ties, and, at the ladies’ discretion, a splash of colour.

Afterwards there will be refreshments at the Conquerors March, Stonestile Lane, Hastings, East Sussex TN34 2RA. This is about half a mile from the Crematorium and it is possible to leave a car there beforehand and walk to the Crematorium if you wish.

I would be grateful if you could give an indication if you are likely to attend the service and/or the Conquerors March and if so, email me at [email protected] also giving details of any dietary requirements.

Family flowers only are requested but if you would like to make a donation in Harvey’s memory, could it be made to one of two charities who have been enormously supportive:

• HASAG (Help, Advice, Support, Action, Guidance for Asbestos Disease Support), Unit 19 Basepoint Centres, Andersons Road, Southampton SO14 5FE. They support people affected by Asbestos-related diseases in the South, South East, London and the Home Counties. Click here to make a donation.
• St Michael’s Hospice, 25 Upper Maze Hill, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex TN38 0LB. Click here to make a donation.

I look forward to seeing as many of Harvey’s friends as are able to be there.