I started playing table tennis in 1961 at age 12, at Barnsley Boys Club with my brother Michael. The following year I entered my first tournament – the South Yorkshire Open – and won it. In September 1963, I was awarded most promising player of the year by Johnny Leach, twice winner of the world men's singles championship. In 1964 I became the youngest player to represent the England junior team, and in 1967 I made my debut for the England senior team. I went on to visit 52 countries and win four Commonwealth gold medals. I represented England in over 100 matches and in three World and three European Championships.

In 1971, through my Fellowship I travelled to Japan, and in the following year, to China.

I was appointed international table tennis coach by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) to conduct seminars worldwide, and in 1971, along with representatives of the United States and Australia, I toured China on a Ping-Pong Diplomacy tour, when 20,000 spectators watched matches.

I was appointed Marketing Director of Table Tennis Dunlop Sports in 1976, and in 1987 founded Lionsport UK, with my wife June as director.

Our son Paul is a financial accountant, and our daughter Theresa is a gastroenterologist – her husband Jason is an ENT surgeon. We have two grandchildren – Ethan and Max.