It is with great sadness that we hear of the death of Geoff Gardiner at the age of 90. 

Geoff gave freely of his time over decades, promoting the development of table tennis in schools. He served the English Schools’ Table Tennis Association in many roles on their National Executive Committee.

From the mid-seventies he became the Assistant General Secretary and then Minute Secretary before taking on the role of Team Championship Organiser from 1984-1994. 

He took on the position of ESTTA General Secretary from 1994 until 2002.  Thereafter, he was co-opted onto the ESTTA Committee and appointed a Life Member of the Association for exceptional services to table tennis.

Geoff was much more than a national committee member – from the late 1960s he was the backbone of the Lancashire County Schools’ Table Tennis Association and could always be seen at the ESTTA Zone 3 finals at Blackburn with clipboard in hand in his meticulous style of doing things in the right way.

Generations of players have benefitted by his commitment as have many organisers. He was also a good and loyal friend to many in the table tennis world.

His funeral will be held on Tuesday, 11th March 2025 at St. James’s Church, Brooke Street, Chorley, PR6 0NA at 12.30pm followed by cremation at Charnock Richard Crematorium at 1.30pm after which a gathering of family and friends will be held at Chorley Cricket Club, Sandringham Road, PR7 1LG, to which all are welcome.