Here is the Middlesex County Badminton Association Company listing, October 2020:
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The following is an archive article describing the history of Middlesex County Badminton Association up to ~1970:
Focus on Middlesex County Badminton Association
Although not officially formed until April 1927 as a County Association Middlesex badminton had long been a force in the game. At the turn of the century the county embraced three of the strongest clubs in the country in Alexandra Palace, Logan and Ealing and indeed it was the last named who founded the Middlesex Open Championships in 1904/5 season, the oldest of all the Open County Championships. With the exception of the first war years these championships were held continuously until 1939 at the club's 3 court Kenilworth Hall which was the first hall to have been built anywhere in the world especially for badminton. Unfortunately deterioration during the second world war forced its closure. Incidentally, the trophies for this first open tournament were donated by one individual, the late Captain A.E. Couper, a member of Ealing Badminton Club, and are still presented annually. This, so far as is known, is the only recorded example of a county being so generously endowed by an individual.
Alexandra Palace and Logan between them had a near monopoly of current, or near current, international players and both had at various times turned out teams of such strength as to make good class opponents appear less than adequate. With this talent available it was not surprising that Middlesex between the wars virtually made the winning of the Inter-County Championship (inaugurated by B.A. of E. in 1930) a regular event. Of the first 9 competitions they won 7, were runners-up once and only failed on one occasion to reach the final. Such was the arrogant belief in their own ability that in only one final did they play on their home courts. Their one final defeat in this period was against Cheshire (always great rivals) in 1933-34 by 7 events to 9 and in the following year both again reached the final. This final was scheduled to be played at Birkenhead on a Saturday starting at 2.30 p.m. so here was the chance to avenge the defeat of the previous year. Two Middlesex stalwarts R.C.F. Nichols and D.C. Hume were unable to get the morning off to enable them to travel in comfort, they worked longer hours in those days, so it was decided to fly them from Abridge in Essex. Due to poor visibility the pilot, having no radio, refused to take to the air and whilst arguing with the Authorities another plane flew in from Glasgow, a 20 seater, which could make the journey but at greater cost. A telephone call to the County Secretary who was persuaded to authorise the additional expense and off they went. To balance the plane it was necessary for one passenger to sit at the front and the other at the back and our intrepid players eventually arrived after not having seen the ground all the way. As this was first flight for both of them it was certainly not the best introduction to a County Final tie, and it says much for their constitutions that they helped M.C.B.A. to exact a handsome revenge by 13 events to 3.
It was during this period and immediately before that Middlesex possessed many players of outstanding ability not only R.C.F. Nichols and D.C. Hume, but Leslie Nichols, brother of R.C.F., Geoffrey Fish who started with Sussex, Ian Machonachie, Frank Hodge, Gerald Tautz, Ken Livingstone, Edgar Phillips and R.M. White who reached Middlesex via Gloucester and Lancs. Other notable players around this era were Adam Wilson and Stuart Jackson and of course there were others.
While the ladies were perhaps, not as strong overall as the men there were some who did yeoman service and none more so than Miss Jean Stewart, Mrs Singer (Brenda Speight), Mrs Evans, Miss Phyllis Roberts and Miss Molly Hume (later Mrs A. Wilson), Mrs Horsley, Miss Whitfield and Miss V. Elton. This was the 'Golden' age of Middlesex badminton spanning a period of some 20 years in which they beat all-comers and accepted two matches against the South of England and the Rest of England both of which they won by 11 Events to 5.
The war of 1939-45 hit the County hard as not only did they lose the facilities at Alexandra Palace, Logan and Ealing but their best players were approaching veteran stage and replacements were difficult to find. The fact that they re-emerged as a force at all was due in no small measure to the hard work put in by Arthur Leech, a pre-war member of 'A.P.' supported by the late John Capel and R.F. Brooker and the 'father figures' on the County Committee Brigadier R. Bruce Hay, Judge Englebach and K.G. Livingstone. But emerge they did to share the Inter County Championship with their old rivals, Cheshire. in 1946-7 and to win the title outright in 1950-51 and 1952-53 seasons.
Although not successful to the extent of the previous 20 years Middlesex did produce some very fine players during this period, none more so than Mrs A.M. Horner, who had the unusual experience of playing for her country, Scotland, while still only a member of her county 2nd team. Needless to say she soon got into the first team where she became a regular fixture for some 10 years. At the start of the 1963 season she was appointed Honorary Secretary of Coaching by the B.A. of E. since where she has worked untiringly to improve the standard of coaching throughout the country and her services are much in demand both in Britain and Overseas.
Despite being deprived now of the services of their pre-war stalwarts other good players emerged to take up the battle in the persons of R.J. Lockwood (what a pity a back ailment forced his early retirement as a player), A. Broadhurst, G.C.K. Hashman, Miss E. Andrews, Mrs G. Darley and Miss P. Warner (now Mrs G.S. Lawrence) and these were joined by R.S. McCoig and Miss Muriel Ferguson (Mrs Woodcock) from Scotland and Miss Margaret Beck of Cumberland. It is a matter of interest that one of the main factors in the winning of the I.C.C. title in 1951-52 was the tenacious ladies doubles and mixed doubles play of Esme Andrews and Gwen Darley. It was in a pre-final tie that John Best playing against Gwen Darley and Bob Hodge tried to hammer his way through Mrs Darley without success. He knew he should change the game but remarked that his pride made him go on smashing because "damn it - she couldn't be allowed to get all my smashes back" though she did! One other player deserves a special mention, Derry Boorman in the opinion of many fine judges one of the best mixed doubles players in the country. It was a great loss to the game in general, and Middlesex in particular, that indifferent health prevented him reaching his full potential and what a tragedy he should die so early.
In 1958/9 Middlesex nearly suffered a mortal blow when Orion Hall, their only remaining hall of any quality, was put up for sale. A period of apathy to the situation was only resolved by the hard work of a small band of people headed by the late Brigadier R. Bruce Hay and supported by R.C. Evers, J.E. Hawkins, P.A. Johnson and W. Mudge plus other interested parties and clubs. These enthusiasts contributed time and money to arrange a grant from the Ministry of Education aided by a loan from the B.A. of E. and a munificent gift of £975. 8. 3d. made by the committee of the now defunct Alexandra Palace B.C. which had been forced to wind up due to the loss of their very fine 7 court premises. That Orion Hall is now the official home of Middlesex badminton is a permanent reminder of the success of so much effort and conditions are being constantly improved as funds permit.
Whether Middlesex County Badminton Association will attain its former heights is a matter for the future but a wide coaching net has been thrown, particularly among the schools where the Middlesex Schools Badminton Association formed in 1968 by a group of enthusiasts is now beginning to show dividends in the number of former schools players who are entering, or pressing for places, in the county senior teams. Also a follow up programme is now established to cater for juniors over school age and many clubs run junior sections and are able to call on the help of the county in arranging coaching sessions when required.
No record of M.C.B.A. would be complete without paying a tribute to the indefatigable efforts of the Secretary Mr P.A. Johnson who over many years guided their destiny with a sure and tactful hand on the reins. It is fitting that he has, this year been elected President and with a hard working and forward looking committee to preside over it is certain that no prospect which appears feasible will be overlooked.
Alexandra Palace and Logan between them had a near monopoly of current, or near current, international players and both had at various times turned out teams of such strength as to make good class opponents appear less than adequate. With this talent available it was not surprising that Middlesex between the wars virtually made the winning of the Inter-County Championship (inaugurated by B.A. of E. in 1930) a regular event. Of the first 9 competitions they won 7, were runners-up once and only failed on one occasion to reach the final. Such was the arrogant belief in their own ability that in only one final did they play on their home courts. Their one final defeat in this period was against Cheshire (always great rivals) in 1933-34 by 7 events to 9 and in the following year both again reached the final. This final was scheduled to be played at Birkenhead on a Saturday starting at 2.30 p.m. so here was the chance to avenge the defeat of the previous year. Two Middlesex stalwarts R.C.F. Nichols and D.C. Hume were unable to get the morning off to enable them to travel in comfort, they worked longer hours in those days, so it was decided to fly them from Abridge in Essex. Due to poor visibility the pilot, having no radio, refused to take to the air and whilst arguing with the Authorities another plane flew in from Glasgow, a 20 seater, which could make the journey but at greater cost. A telephone call to the County Secretary who was persuaded to authorise the additional expense and off they went. To balance the plane it was necessary for one passenger to sit at the front and the other at the back and our intrepid players eventually arrived after not having seen the ground all the way. As this was first flight for both of them it was certainly not the best introduction to a County Final tie, and it says much for their constitutions that they helped M.C.B.A. to exact a handsome revenge by 13 events to 3.
It was during this period and immediately before that Middlesex possessed many players of outstanding ability not only R.C.F. Nichols and D.C. Hume, but Leslie Nichols, brother of R.C.F., Geoffrey Fish who started with Sussex, Ian Machonachie, Frank Hodge, Gerald Tautz, Ken Livingstone, Edgar Phillips and R.M. White who reached Middlesex via Gloucester and Lancs. Other notable players around this era were Adam Wilson and Stuart Jackson and of course there were others.
While the ladies were perhaps, not as strong overall as the men there were some who did yeoman service and none more so than Miss Jean Stewart, Mrs Singer (Brenda Speight), Mrs Evans, Miss Phyllis Roberts and Miss Molly Hume (later Mrs A. Wilson), Mrs Horsley, Miss Whitfield and Miss V. Elton. This was the 'Golden' age of Middlesex badminton spanning a period of some 20 years in which they beat all-comers and accepted two matches against the South of England and the Rest of England both of which they won by 11 Events to 5.
The war of 1939-45 hit the County hard as not only did they lose the facilities at Alexandra Palace, Logan and Ealing but their best players were approaching veteran stage and replacements were difficult to find. The fact that they re-emerged as a force at all was due in no small measure to the hard work put in by Arthur Leech, a pre-war member of 'A.P.' supported by the late John Capel and R.F. Brooker and the 'father figures' on the County Committee Brigadier R. Bruce Hay, Judge Englebach and K.G. Livingstone. But emerge they did to share the Inter County Championship with their old rivals, Cheshire. in 1946-7 and to win the title outright in 1950-51 and 1952-53 seasons.
Although not successful to the extent of the previous 20 years Middlesex did produce some very fine players during this period, none more so than Mrs A.M. Horner, who had the unusual experience of playing for her country, Scotland, while still only a member of her county 2nd team. Needless to say she soon got into the first team where she became a regular fixture for some 10 years. At the start of the 1963 season she was appointed Honorary Secretary of Coaching by the B.A. of E. since where she has worked untiringly to improve the standard of coaching throughout the country and her services are much in demand both in Britain and Overseas.
Despite being deprived now of the services of their pre-war stalwarts other good players emerged to take up the battle in the persons of R.J. Lockwood (what a pity a back ailment forced his early retirement as a player), A. Broadhurst, G.C.K. Hashman, Miss E. Andrews, Mrs G. Darley and Miss P. Warner (now Mrs G.S. Lawrence) and these were joined by R.S. McCoig and Miss Muriel Ferguson (Mrs Woodcock) from Scotland and Miss Margaret Beck of Cumberland. It is a matter of interest that one of the main factors in the winning of the I.C.C. title in 1951-52 was the tenacious ladies doubles and mixed doubles play of Esme Andrews and Gwen Darley. It was in a pre-final tie that John Best playing against Gwen Darley and Bob Hodge tried to hammer his way through Mrs Darley without success. He knew he should change the game but remarked that his pride made him go on smashing because "damn it - she couldn't be allowed to get all my smashes back" though she did! One other player deserves a special mention, Derry Boorman in the opinion of many fine judges one of the best mixed doubles players in the country. It was a great loss to the game in general, and Middlesex in particular, that indifferent health prevented him reaching his full potential and what a tragedy he should die so early.
In 1958/9 Middlesex nearly suffered a mortal blow when Orion Hall, their only remaining hall of any quality, was put up for sale. A period of apathy to the situation was only resolved by the hard work of a small band of people headed by the late Brigadier R. Bruce Hay and supported by R.C. Evers, J.E. Hawkins, P.A. Johnson and W. Mudge plus other interested parties and clubs. These enthusiasts contributed time and money to arrange a grant from the Ministry of Education aided by a loan from the B.A. of E. and a munificent gift of £975. 8. 3d. made by the committee of the now defunct Alexandra Palace B.C. which had been forced to wind up due to the loss of their very fine 7 court premises. That Orion Hall is now the official home of Middlesex badminton is a permanent reminder of the success of so much effort and conditions are being constantly improved as funds permit.
Whether Middlesex County Badminton Association will attain its former heights is a matter for the future but a wide coaching net has been thrown, particularly among the schools where the Middlesex Schools Badminton Association formed in 1968 by a group of enthusiasts is now beginning to show dividends in the number of former schools players who are entering, or pressing for places, in the county senior teams. Also a follow up programme is now established to cater for juniors over school age and many clubs run junior sections and are able to call on the help of the county in arranging coaching sessions when required.
No record of M.C.B.A. would be complete without paying a tribute to the indefatigable efforts of the Secretary Mr P.A. Johnson who over many years guided their destiny with a sure and tactful hand on the reins. It is fitting that he has, this year been elected President and with a hard working and forward looking committee to preside over it is certain that no prospect which appears feasible will be overlooked.