Even in a sport which prides itself on keeping people involved for life, Barry Robinson’s commitment to the cause stands out. 

A founder member of the Goons team which plays in the Leicester & District League, Barry has also been club Secretary from day one – all the way back in 1962/63. 

Barry, now aged 82, takes up the story: “My table tennis life started around 1960 at the youth club playing for fun against the local vicar who ran the club. 

“This culminated with entering a team in the Leicester & District League in the 1962/63 season, Division 7B. 

“Being a massive Goons fan, listening to Spike Milligan’s Eccles and Peter Sellers’ Bluebottle and Harry ‘Neddie’ Secombe in the 50s, I decided to call our team from 1964/65 season Goons. 

“We had loads of write-ups in the local Leicester Mercury newspaper. And here I am 60 years later still with Goons teams in three leagues – Leicester, Loughborough and Hinckley.” 

Barry reckons he has played alongside 100 different players since that first season, though there are two others who have had a long association with the team – Allan Crowson and Dave Tanner. 

“Allan’s a couple of years older than me at 84 and we form a great doubles team,” said Barry. “He was coached properly and played in Division 1, whereas I was just self-taught – with a desire to win! 

“Dave Tanner and I from the 64/65 season were the backbone of the Goons and we played together for 50 years – he sadly died three years ago.”  

Table tennis is not the only activity associated with these sporting Goons – Barry also had a pop quiz team in the 90s which competed under the name – and there are four active indoor bowls teams called the Goons, who are still winning trophies locally. 

As well as a club secretary, Barry had a short spell as a development officer for the league and was Chairman of the Hinckley League for nine years. He has also run a quiz at the Leicester League’s presentation evening for more than 25 years. 

But it is his association with the Goons of which he is most proud.  

He said: “Table tennis has been a massive presence in my life as player and administrator, keeping my Goons club going especially after amazingly two of our venues burnt down in the 70s and then 80s!  

“It’s been a pleasure getting around 100 different players to play for me with much success and trophies won and making lots of friends over the years!  

“To still be playing and leaping about at 82, I’m so blessed.”