June’s newsletter is dedicated to John Gregory. 

Club President. 

2009-2022. 

Thoughts from some fellow members at Swansea Tennis & Squash Club

John Gregory was a founder member of ST&SC in 1964 when it formed from members of the former Rosehill Tennis Club and local squash players.

He was considered by his contemporaries to have been the most naturally talented tennis player to ever join the club, winning the clubs men’s championship 8 times. He also captained the first team for many years, including when the team won the South Wales premier league.  He was a lefthander who had an agile tennis brain with a serve that most can only dream of. This was just one of a repertoire of shots that made him such a superb player.

But John played tennis first and foremost for the pure enjoyment it gave him rather than to have to win at all costs. In this he was a great example. One young up and coming player Richard Little remembers John telling him to always smile and enjoy playing. Richard has become a very successful coach in Bath and remains in close contact with our Club members. 

John was instrumental in establishing a formal twinning arrangement with Seckenheim Tennis Club in Mannheim, Germany. Almost solely through his efforts this arrangement survived for over 20 years with tennis matches taking place in Seckenheim or Swansea in September every year. He will be sorely missed by his old friends in Seckenheim.

John loved and promoted the social side of the whole club and many will have memories of him from barbecue nights and fireworks events. He loved telling a joke in the bar and he had an infectious and, at times, wicked sense of humour. Beneath this, John had an extremely kind heart and quickly sensed when someone was upset or needed support and would be there to quietly and unobtrusively help in any way that was needed.

A glowing example of his unselfish kindness was how he helped a fellow member Helen Leatham whose terminally ill mother needed an access ramp at her home, which John organised, deploying his considerable skills as a professional quantity surveyor and many contacts in the construction industry.

John had a long association with Swansea MENCAP Society. Friendship House had been established in 1962, and John as chairman of the Trustees in later years had overseen the upgrading of the facility near Swansea High Street Station. Providing safe space for disabled members of the community, its hall and stage, lounge, IT room and kiln studio offers weekly social events and classes.  John was particularly proud to host Sophie, Countess of Wessex there when marking the 50-year anniversary of the Society.

John was also passionate about Swansea City Bravehearts Disabled Football Club formed in 2000. Now operating with over 100 members, John and others enabled disabled young and old to feel part of a team and enjoy the benefits of healthy competition and community spirit. 

One of John’s great passions was his support for Swansea City Football Club.  In 1988 John was one of the founder members of “Swansea City Football Club Executive Fundraising Committee” who raised nearly £400,000.00 for the club.  In 1994 John became chairman, a post held for 10 years.

John was professionally a Quantity Surveyor well respected in the construction industry and became Commercial Manager at R. M. Douglas in their Swansea Office.  In 1986 he became chairman of the Swansea BATS Club, which comprised professionals in the construction industry of Builders, Architects, Technicians & Surveyors.  

 Throughout his membership at ST & SC John worked tirelessly for the Club, often doing necessary repairs to the clubhouse and grounds himself. Until recently he would pick up all the rubbish round the club ground and transport it to the local recycling centre.

 John served on Club committees for many years and this included being Club Chairman and more latterly Club President. John was always there for the club, both to celebrate successes but also when times were difficult and problems needed to be solved. All his efforts showed his love for sport and for the club. 

Our thoughts are also with Carol, his wife, whilst we mourn his loss. John will be sorely missed by all who knew him.