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Post by tommo III on Apr 25, 2023 17:06:26 GMT
It is with an extremely heavy heart that I have to inform you of the death of our very good buddy and teammate Steve King.
I have just come off the phone where his daughter Rebecca (who lives in Peterborough) told me the sad news. I can hardly believe it.
We were all witnesses of his sudden alarming deterioration in health, and I can tell you that he was admitted to hospital last Tuesday (he dialled 999 himself) where he was diagnosed with an aggressive colon cancer, passing away on Sunday 23rd April.
Rebecca will keep us posted with funeral details, the only one known so far is that he will be buried in Snell Hatch cemetery.
Clive T
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Post by iang on Apr 25, 2023 17:33:35 GMT
Very shocking news indeed. I have spoken to his daughter who told me he gave her instructions on who to call etc, even at the end Steve was organised. He was a long term friend & Teammate he was also a long serving member of the committee as Treasurer a role he carried out diligently and to the penny.
He was a formidable opponent in all the Leagues he played, Crawley, Mid Sussex, Horsham & lately Billingshurst Leagues. It's testament to him that he achieved the Player of the year award in both Horsham & Billingshurst this Season and it will be a fitting tribute.
Condolences go to Rebecca & the rest of the Family.
RIP Steve
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Post by Sparky on Apr 25, 2023 18:02:33 GMT
I'm shocked to hear this news even though I knew he had not been well. I will remember and miss him for so many good reasons. Maybe I will find better words in a few days.
RIP Steve
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Post by bobhall on Apr 25, 2023 18:11:04 GMT
I played with Steve on multiple occasions in leagues and he was always a gentlemen and a friend but not only that he was a tough opponent, he will be sadly missed and another great gone from the Sussex league
Rip Steve
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bazwest
Full Forum Member
Posts: 132
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Post by bazwest on Apr 25, 2023 21:06:19 GMT
Steve led us to win the Horsham league 21-22, and runners up in the league and cup this year. Steve loved his billiards , and was a long standing supporter of the game . Missed but never forgotten. RIP Steve
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paulJ
Full Forum Member
BHBBL, MSBB too.
Posts: 302
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Post by paulJ on Apr 27, 2023 22:30:18 GMT
From the late 1980's (oppos in Horsham league, Cherry Tree and Crawley Club) till March 2023 (team-mates in Billingshurst league, Windmill Gossops Green), Steve and I had 35 years of competition and/or co-operation including several years together at Haywards
Heath SC (Mid Sussex league) and Mid Sussex interleague team. Always modest in victory, gracious in (rare) defeat, we always got
along well together. Steve was an excellent team-mate and a good friend, condolences to his family, RIP.
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Post by tommo III on May 2, 2023 19:56:53 GMT
Thank you for the tributes for Steve, which I will make sure are passed on to his family. I would like to add my own resumee of Steve’s career.
I first met Steve in the Crawley League in the late 1970’s when he was a member of the formidable Crawley Club A team who were dominant throughout the 1980’s. Steve played Interleague for Crawley A and was their Singles Champion in 1987/88, also winning the Pairs in 1988/89 partnering Dave Evans. The records also show he made the Highest Away Score for three years running (86/7, 87/8 and 88/9).
Before that he had started his career in Mid Sussex, playing for the Red Lion, Chelwood Gate and later the Gardeners, Ardingly where he often mentioned his mentor was an all-time great, Reg Beard. Reg trained him well as Steve won the High Break award (9550) in 1971/72 when still of tender years.
Following Crawley League’s disbanding and the C.Club’s integration to the Horsham League in 1989, the successes continued as they won the Team Cup straight away in 89/90 and 90/91. Various changes of venue and a further foray into the Mid Sussex league happened throughout the 1990’s before Steve became a serial achiever in Horsham, winning the Senior Singles twice (2004/5 and 2005/6); Best Performance Div 2 (2013/4 and 2014/5) and being runner-up in the Masters (2006/7 and 2018/9). And also in his Mid Sussex ‘renaissance’ when he was Player of the Year in 2007/8, 2014/5 and 2018/9. At one time or another he had represented both Leagues at Interleague.
More recent in the memory of course, he captained a shoestring Windmill CC to the Horsham League title last year (runners-up in both League and Cup this year), and as has already been mentioned was a vital part of Windmill’s Billingshurst championship-winning Wednesday side. It is a testament to his skills that, in his final season of playing, he won the Best Performance Award in both leagues.
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Post by iang on May 3, 2023 9:47:14 GMT
Thank you Clive. What a fantastic summary of Steve's long record in the history of Bar Billiards in Sussex. Nice work.
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Post by iang on May 17, 2023 8:50:39 GMT
Danielle & the rest of the Family have asked me to pass on their thanks for all the wonderful tributes to Steve. They were blown away by all your messages at this time.
I have been informed of the Funeral Details & anyone who would like to attend will be welcome.
Monday 5th June.
Crawley Crematorium 12.30 Followed by the Burial Service at Snell Hatch Cemetery 13.30 Address, The Dingle West Green Crawley Sx RH11 7JB
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Post by iang on May 23, 2023 16:22:05 GMT
I have been informed of an update for the Funeral plans, there won't be a service at the Crematorium this part will be carried out at the cemetery followed by the burial.
So the time will be 1.30 Monday 5th June followed by the wake at
The Windmill, Gossops Green Crawley.
Everyone welcome.
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Post by tommo III on Jun 1, 2023 20:02:40 GMT
Just to add .... Quote:
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Post by iang on Jun 5, 2023 19:16:46 GMT
A good turnout today. A very fitting service & thanks to Tommo for his eulogy on behalf all of us. Followed by the wake at The Windmill with his 2 best performance trophies on display and a glass of single malt.
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