The following article written by Janet Field appeared in the March 1979 issue of "Table Talk", a Kent County newsletter (now defunct) describes the formation of the League.

Sevenoaks has, for a long time, been a table-tennis backwater and living in the area presented many problems for the average 'ping-pong' enthusiast.  The Leagues nearest in which one could compete meant a lot of travelling and late night finishes, factors which stopped a large number of people who worked in London from taking part in organised play and also many youngsters whose parents did not want their offspring out very late at night.

The setting up of an organised League in the Sevenoaks district was an obvious solution but, with so few clubs to support a conventional style operation, establishing any kind of competition required considerable thought and research.

No doubt the idea of a local League crossed many peoples' minds but it was not until January of last year that I finally got galvanised into action - mainly due to an influx of juniors who just could not compete in a weekday League.

After giving the matter a thought or two and discussing the subject more fully with my husband Dave, we set about contacting colleagues who might be interested in the project.  The response was encouraging and during February a Steering Committee was set up to investigate the possibility more fully.  Brian Merfield took the Chair and we eventually came up with a sample format - all matches would be played at a central venue at weekends, once a month, two matches per meeting.  The matches would be between two-man teams who each play two singles and a doubles with a point per set won being awarded.  There were large halls locally which would house three tables and this allowed us to think of six teams per division.  The players would put 50p into a 'kitty' which would pay expenses.

All players living locally and registered in a League were contacted to assess their interest before we went any further.  Again, the response was good, obviously our format was going to be popular!

Dave spent Easter drawing up the necessary 'Rules and Regulations' we needed and the Committee ploughed through all the legislation, line by line, before the Inaugural Meeting was convened.   

The new Committee was slightly different from the original Steering one, we lost Sheila Johnson who, as Secretary of two local clubs, was obviously an important person on that Committee.  All the others remained though Ron Terry, John Cook, Dave and myself with Brian still as Chairman.  Lynda Prickett and Doreen Levy joined us which made up the full complement.  On 8th June, 1978 the Sevenoaks League became fact, officers elected and the legislation adopted.

Before the League competition proper begun, the Committee organised a very successful Handicap Singles which was by way of a social 'get together' for all the new clubs.  When entries for the new season were received thirty teams applied for places, whereas we had only estimated for twenty four!  Thus we went for five divisions instead of four.

Our hoped for venue at the local Sports Centre did not materialise and we had to fall back on two established clubs, Otford and Darenth, who lent the use of both venues and all the necessary equipment.  However, we did at least have these venues to call on and the League commenced on 1st October, 1978.

To date things are going well - our Venue Supervisors co-ordinate proceedings, keep tabs on the cash and make sure everyone is there who should be.  No postponements are allowed so the onus is very much on the players to make themselves available and to do their fair share of work on the day.  So far there have been few complaints and only one team has turned out a man short.

The atmosphere is friendly but competition extremely keen - with all teams from one division present on the day rivalry is at times quite fierce although everything is on a social footing.

The League Committee has several projects in hand.  One just completed saw a small party of twelve attend the finals of the Norwich Union Open at Brighton - what an experience that was for those who had never seen top class table tennis played!