Table tennis fundraiser launched in honour of much-loved Killamarsh 'legend'

The family and friends of ‘born and bred Killamarshian’ Tom Enright were left devastated when he died on December 21 last year.

The 61-year-old was well known throughout the village for his passion towards and competitiveness for sport- in particular football, bowls, fishing and tennis.

A former miner and lorry driver, he also played for and coached many local teams.

Now Tom’s family are fundraising for an outdoor table tennis table to be placed in Killamarsh so that his competitive spirit can live on, with the eventual aim of launching a tournament in his honour.

The JustGiving page has already racked up more than £800 of its £2,000 target, with dozens visiting the site to donate and pay their respects to the ‘Killamarsh legend’.

Daughter Jessica Enright also paid tribute to her dad: “Throughout growing up in’t marsh, many a times I’ve claimed the title ‘Tommy Enright’s daughter’ and been told cracking stories about the bonkers and sometimes rather naughty mischief dad had got up to, over the years. I believed him to be a very loved, and respected member of the Killamarsh community.

"After a year alone, the vaccine means we can be reunited with our family,” says Derbyshire couple

"I for one know he loved the village. A born and bred Marshian, he forever told tales of the good old days, playing footie on Green Lane, riding down the slag heap, newting in the ponds, and living in and out of each other’s houses with his brothers and pals.

"Applying for his first job as a miner, working mainly at Kiveton pit with the mining community he held dear to his heart.

"He loved football, making a name for himself - ‘Hitman Enright’, coaching and playing for many clubs across Killamarsh. He always turned up on a Sunday morning to watch his son Thomas, with a bottle of pop and a chocolate bar - real love.

"As he got older his competitive streak turned to a great love of match fishing, with the fishing lads. He was a dab hand at golf too, and also favoured bowls with his pals at Mosborough Miners. I’m not quite sure how he managed to fit it all in.

"There must be many more I’ve not mentioned, so please feel free to share a memory of him, if you have one.

"He made us laugh, he was warm, his smile was infectious.

"He had the most impenetrable love, loyalty and devotion to his wife, my truly amazing mum Janice, what I will forever admire and cherish. He adored his family, his brothers and sisters, who supported him until the very end. A fierce, genuine bond. I can truly say I feel very lucky to have been able to call him my dad.”

Tom leaves behind wife and life-long partner Janice along with children Jess and Tom and grandchildren Freddie and Zachary.

His funeral is set to take place on January 21 with a procession from High Street, Killamarsh to St Giles Church for 11.45am.

You can donate to the JustGiving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/in-memory-of-tommy

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