Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2009 9:38:36 GMT
A couple of things yesterday made me think of the various sports stars who have hailed from South Devon.
Firstly, Lee Mears (Torquay born; ex-Paignton Community College) played for the British Lions yesterday.
Secondly, the Herald Express made passing reference to Angela Mortimer who won Wimbledon many years ago. I'd a vague memory of my parents telling me that she had once lived in Kingskerswell but I'd never seen that in print until I saw yesterday's paper which said: Plymouth-born Angela Mortimer claimed her Wimbledon crown in 1961 after perfecting her game on the courts at Torquay Tennis Club and the town's Palace Hotel, when she lived, as a youngster, in Kingskerswell.
Those with long memories - or a gift for recalling trivia - will know that Mike Sangster (a one-time TUFC reserve/ "A" team player and later owner of a sports shop on Torwood Street) reached the semi-finals of Wimbeldon in the same year Angela Mortimer won her title. And, according to Wiki anyway, he was born in Kingskerswell.
Also from the 1960s there was Mike Davis who played rugby for England and, even though he was playing for one of the big London clubs at the time, asked for his club to be recorded as Torquay Athletic when he made his international debut. Then there was Colin Lewis - from Western Road in St Marychurch - who was a top cyclist (and another local shop owner) who rode in the Tour de France and roomed with Tom Simpson when he died on the 1967 tour.
No doubt a few more others can suggest - and I've not forgotten Sue Barker - with at least five Test cricketers with South Devon connections. Any ideas about these?
Firstly, Lee Mears (Torquay born; ex-Paignton Community College) played for the British Lions yesterday.
Secondly, the Herald Express made passing reference to Angela Mortimer who won Wimbledon many years ago. I'd a vague memory of my parents telling me that she had once lived in Kingskerswell but I'd never seen that in print until I saw yesterday's paper which said: Plymouth-born Angela Mortimer claimed her Wimbledon crown in 1961 after perfecting her game on the courts at Torquay Tennis Club and the town's Palace Hotel, when she lived, as a youngster, in Kingskerswell.
Those with long memories - or a gift for recalling trivia - will know that Mike Sangster (a one-time TUFC reserve/ "A" team player and later owner of a sports shop on Torwood Street) reached the semi-finals of Wimbeldon in the same year Angela Mortimer won her title. And, according to Wiki anyway, he was born in Kingskerswell.
Also from the 1960s there was Mike Davis who played rugby for England and, even though he was playing for one of the big London clubs at the time, asked for his club to be recorded as Torquay Athletic when he made his international debut. Then there was Colin Lewis - from Western Road in St Marychurch - who was a top cyclist (and another local shop owner) who rode in the Tour de France and roomed with Tom Simpson when he died on the 1967 tour.
No doubt a few more others can suggest - and I've not forgotten Sue Barker - with at least five Test cricketers with South Devon connections. Any ideas about these?
