Tony McGrath sadly passed away on Thursday 11th January after a long term illness. Though illness had stopped him from playing during the last few years, all bar the youngest players in the West of Scotland League will have memories of playing Tony.  Long before the days of players paying large sums of money for “funny rubbers” Tony had his own “funny” rubber.  It cost him one and six (shillings and pence) out of a local shop, identical rubber on both sides, no sponge, it was the scourge of many a young fast player who couldn’t cope with the fact that the ball kept coming back, no matter how hard they tried to hit it.  Nowadays some players spend four figure sums to buy a robot which sits at the end of the table and sends a stream of balls at them, but practicing with Tony was much the same.

For years Tony was associated with John Thompson and the two of them travelled to matches together until ill-health forced John to retire.  Tony played for years in the upper divisions of the league and represented Scotland in the veterans home nations event, and apart from his athletic abilities was widely respected for his polite good manners and his transparent honesty. 

Many of you will remember Tony attending the Friday practice at Holyrood Sports Centre. This started in the early 2000s and continued through to 2020. Tony rarely missed this session and was a permanent fixture on table two (his table), ready to take on all comers but always with a ready smile.

Tony only had friends in the world of table tennis and that is the finest tribute which can be paid to him.

Funeral Arrangements
Mass in St Aloysius', Garnethill at 10 am on Friday 9th February, then to Daldowie Crematorium