MORE than 50 years of Pershore sporting history came to an amicable end last week when Pershore Tennis Centre was launched as an independent club, thus bringing to a close its status as a section of the Pershore and District Sports Club.

Since the tennis section's move to Pershore College in 1998 to a purpose-built four-court floodlit facility the links with the Defford Road based sports club have weakened.

Attempts to move the whole club to Pershore College in 2000 proved unsuccessful, since when the tennis section has in effect been separately managed.

The sports club is now able to concentrate on improving its facilities and developing cricket, hockey and squash.

In the past two years it has opened its doors to many new members who previously used the squash courts at the Avon Valley Leisure Centre and squash membership is now at a ten-year high.

Continue vital role

With a burgeoning junior section in both cricket and squash the club is well placed to continue its vital role in the town and beyond as a family-orientated sports club.

Under its newly-elected chairman, Ian Johnson, Pershore Tennis Centre is now set to embark on a new phase of expansion which will eventually include two extra courts and a new clubhouse.

It is developing rapidly as a centre of junior excellence and is on track to becoming one of the county's targeted clubs.

With 220 members it is already one of the largest tennis clubs in the county but is keen to attract new members to help fund the development plans.

Looking ahead to the new arrangement, Conryn Abbott, the Pershore Sports Club chairman said: "Given the separate locations the independent running of tennis was a logical move. We wish them every success for the future."

Chris Lowe, who was chairman of the tennis section from 1997-2002 and a key figure in securing the Lottery and LTA funding for the move to Pershore College added, "We are grateful to the Sports Club, particularly for their financial support which was critical in facilitating our move to Pershore College.

"We anticipate that both clubs will continue to provide improving sports facilities for the Pershore area."