CHAMPIONS ALL

October 1966, and the famous Centre Court at Wimbledon is silent. There is no crowd, no cheers, no clapping. A solitary footstep will echo through the empty passageways. The paraphernalia of radio and television, the batteries of cameras, the notebooks of reporters and journalists are busy elsewhere. The high days of summer are over and autumnal breezes are about. The champions have departed (probably to sunnier climes) and the ball‑boys they have returned to the William Baker School to studies, which occupy their year.

Yet memories remain. Memories of the pride a ball‑boy felt on being chosen to be one of that famous squad. There was always the thrill of the daily coach journey, and at Wimbledon, the feeling of the great occasion. It was a real surprise to see a famous name of tennis just walking around the courts. There was pride and great delight when a champion played on our court. But mingled with all this the embarrassment felt even today, of that missed ball. Was it imagination, or did the crowd go quiet when the ball remained there at the net? But what was the crowning glory for a ball‑boy at this year's Wimbledon? Surely to discover that the Champion had been a ball‑boy. Then to be photographed with him. What a scene that was! Photographers all crowded on an umpire's chair, cameras, arms, legs, heads everywhere. Cameras clicking, reporters chattering, then silence for Manuel Santana's every word. What did that reporter say? The Champion had said 'the Ball Boys were the best in the world'. Then we are champions, if we are the best in the world.


Rev B. L. Nixon
Wimbledon Ball Boy Coach

^{Reproduced from the Goldonian spring 1967}

This was the last year that Goldings boys would make the trip to Wimbledon in 1967 the ball boys were chosen from local schools, it took another ten years for girls to appear on the courts of Wimbledon.