Tribute to Frank Smith

Banbury Tennis Club has sadly lost another highly respected lifelong club member known to many past and present members. Frank, a member of the original Alcan Tennis Club, contributed significantly in the setting up of Banbury Tennis Club back in 1973, along with co-founders Archie & Pete Buzzard, when Horton View sports ground transferred from Alcan ownership to Cherwell Council (now CDC), Oxfordshire County Council and then back to Banbury Town Council. Here is a tribute to Frank the tennis player, Treasurer, club official, captain, Life Member and friend to many.

As well as being part of the selection committee which picked teams in the early seventies, Frank’s enjoyment and dedication to the game of tennis led him to become a club official taking on the role of Treasurer for what turned out to be an amazing 40 years. Frank was famed for his meticulous ‘paper and pencil’ spreadsheets, his record keeping and ‘eye on the ball’ approach, ensuring the club was kept financially healthy. As Treasurer, Frank also made good use of his technical background, overseeing major developments at the club including upgrading the clubhouse and construction of the two single floodlit courts, producing meticulous technical drawings for the latter. He set up and ran the club lottery for a few years when the National Lottery started, as a way of raising money for future club projects. He was also a Trustee.

Frank played in the Oxfordshire Men’s teams until a motor car accident he was involved in, resulted in a lengthy period in hospital which had a long term effect on the amount of tennis he could play.

Frank then took over the captaining of the Banbury Town League (BTL) C team for many years, his mission to keep the team mid-table each season which he usually achieved, and again utilising his ‘paper and pencil’ spreadsheet approach, famously resisting the computer age!!!

Frank also set up the long-established Tuesday afternoon club session which at the time he fondly called ‘the retired and redundant’ session! In the early days, players would contribute 50p for the tennis balls that Frank provided – any money left over at the end of the season, he donated to the local hospice. The Tuesday session is now an official Tuesday Afternoon club session with tennis balls provided!!!

Frank chose to hang up his paper and pencil spreadsheets in 2012 and retire from the role of club Treasurer when he had clocked up an amazing 40 years. The Club committee and members surprised him with a retirement do in September 2012, presenting him with an Olympic 2012 style medal and gift! He was also made an Honorary Member to recognise his long service and dedication to BTC.

Fellow long-term members say Frank will be remembered fondly for his humour, wit, cheerful nature, good company on and off court, and his barley sugars!!! They say he was a great steward of the club, helping various new officials get to grips with their tasks, and a great supporter of the clubs’ many teams, spending many weekends watching and supporting. Many also remember when he announced he had met someone and was going to marry her – Joan, his lovely wife of 40 plus years, who brightened up the interior of the clubhouse by cheerfully painting it some years ago! Thank you, Frank and Joan.

The funeral is scheduled for Tuesday 7^th March, 12.00 noon at Adderbury Church. Further details will be posted in the Banbury Guardian next week.

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