Shropshire's ‘Mr Tennis’ dies after life devoted to sport
A Shropshire sports coach who became known as 'Mr Tennis' has died.
Mike Markham was head coach at Oswestry Team Tennis, but had been involved in tennis across Shropshire for 20 years.
He made a name for himself as a player in Bedford in junior and men’s teams, going on to be vice-captain of the Bedfordshire team.
In 1996, he decided after 25 years to change his career in retail and work in the sport that he had loved since a child – relocating from Bedford to Oswestry and linking up with his long term friend Stephen Welti, and pursuing a full-time tennis career.
He became Criftins Tennis Club’s head coach which was swiftly followed by taking on Lakelands Tennis Club based in Ellesmere which had just started up at the school. In 1997, he became the North Shropshire Tennis development officer based at Lakelands . He also supported Shropshire LTA in its endeavours to grow the game at grass roots level.
In the meantime, he was supporting Oswestry Team Tennis performance activities based at Moreton Hall under the leadership of Stephen Welti which led to him working with many leading Shropshire county players and champions, notably Alan Bevan who achieved a world ranking.
Mr Markham was an integral part of the planning of the Welti Tennis Centre in Shrewsbury.
In 2005 Mike became head coach of Oswestry Team Tennis.
Clive Knight a trustee of the club said : “The court complex is leased from Oswestry Town Council, and Mike worked very hard with councillors, officers and park keepers to keep them informed and ensure the complex was always fit for purpose on a daily basis.
“OTT has around 200 members aged from four to 18, and has always had a reputation of sound development leading to excellence. Mike was undoubtedly the glue that held the club together on a day-by-day basis.
“His commitment was such that he was on court until mid February this year despite his illness.”
He also worked with schools in Shropshire and in clubs Powys.
A cremation will be held in Bedford where his family live on June 5 but there will be a memorial service in Oswestry on May 19 at Holy Trinity starting at 2.30pm. That will be followed by a get-together to reminisce at Oswestry Golf Club.
