Before East Glos: The early years of tennis in Cheltenham
In January 2023, we published the first-ever definitive history of East Glos Club. The club was founded in 1883; however, tennis was played in Cheltenham some years before.
In January 2023, we published the first-ever definitive history of East Glos Club. The club was founded in 1883; however, tennis was played in Cheltenham some years before.Club member Michael Hare, a keen historian, was eager to write a prequel to the East Glos history. Poised to embark on his research, Michael established a link with Nigel Lawford, who had written a detailed account of tennis in Cheltenham from 1869.
Nigel is a distant relative of Herbert Fortescue Lawford (pictured) who, in 1880 was ranked among the top four players in the British game. He was one of the game’s principal pioneer players and second in influence only to William Renshaw, albeit a distant second.
Below, you can find links to Nigel’s work.
1. Cheltenham College’s early tennis connections – the old boys.
2. Cheltenham 1869 to 1875 – from croquet to rinking and lawn tennis.
3. Croquet falls, lawn tennis rises, and an indoor venue is built.
4. Cheltenham LTC gets serious and joins the top-flight.
As part of the same series, Nigel has also written a detailed biography of Herbert Lawford, which you can read here.