The table tennis community will come together this weekend to celebrate a very special milestone as Bill Lowe marks his 100th birthday on Saturday 9th May 2026.
Bill has been involved in the sport for more than eight decades and remains an active and highly valued member of the Wirral table tennis community.
His table tennis journey began in the Liverpool League, where he played from 1940 to 1952, excluding the war years. That connection places Bill within one of the sport’s long-standing league traditions, with the Liverpool and District Table Tennis League founded in 1926 and recognised as one of the oldest leagues in the country.
In 1952, Bill became a founding member of the Wirral Table Tennis League when it broke away from the Liverpool League. The Wirral League went on to become the largest table tennis league in Cheshire, comprising more than 60 teams.
Bill’s contribution extended far beyond playing. His first committee role was as Junior Officer, supporting coaching and the development of young players. He also served as Treasurer and was later elected Vice President, giving many years of service, knowledge and leadership to the league.
More than 70 years after the Wirral League was founded, it continues to provide competitive opportunities for players across the area, currently running three divisions with 31 teams. Bill has been part of that story from the very beginning, a rare and remarkable thread running through generations of local table tennis.
His love of the game has also taken him around the world through veterans’ table tennis. Bill competed in a number of international veterans’ tournaments, including the World Veterans event in Manchester in 1998, Lucerne in 2002, where he reached the semi-final, and Bremen in 2006.
As he approaches his 100th birthday, Bill remains closely connected to the sport. He still attends the Wirral League AGM, presents prizes, and continues to offer his knowledge and advice whenever it is needed.
Tomorrow’s celebration will bring together many people from Bill’s table tennis past and present, offering a fitting tribute to a player, volunteer, officer, competitor and friend who has given a lifetime of service to the sport.
Everyone at Table Tennis England sends their warmest congratulations to Bill on this remarkable milestone.