The Norfolk Short Mat Bowls Association is saddened to learn of the death of ESMBA President George Clarke who passed away this morning at 4am. George previously served as Chairman of the ESMBA, and also as England Team Manager and player, and was well known throughout the short mat bowls world carrying out his duties for the ESMBA over many, many years. In recent years he played for Thorpe Marriott SMBC but began playing the sport for the Bob Carter Centre at Drayton. For several seasons he played for both Kirby Bedon SMBC and Hevingham SMBC and won many honours representing all the teams he played for. He was the first Norfolk County Team Manager in 1989 and occupied the position until 2002 leading Norfolk to victory in the I.C.C Premier Championships in 1995 and later to victory in the I.C.C Summer Championships. He won the National Fours Championship title in 1995 playing with John and Carol Aggas and Mick Murrell. At Norfolk County Championship level he won the County Pairs title in 2005/06 with Nigel Willard and in 2008/09 with Gordon Crowe. In 1994/95 he won the County Triples title with Pauline and Dave Duffield and again in 2003/04 with Sue Hunt and Vic Woods. In the hugely successful four with Carol Aggas, John Aggas and Mick Murrell he lifted the Norfolk County Fours title in both 1994/95 and 1995/96. He proved himself a fours specialist by winning the title again in 1998/99 with Teresa Goldsmith, Gill Reason and Alistair Hunter, in 2011/12 with Shirley Brown, Joe Brown and Gerald Chilvers and again in 2013/14 with Gerald Chilvers, Phil Watson and Selwyn Goldsmith. He also won the County Mixed Fours title in 2003/04 with Glenys Willard, Gill Reason and Nigel Willard. He was also runner-up in the first ever Norfolk County Singles final in 1986/87 where he lost to John Turner. He also served as Manager of the England Ladies Team. The NCSMBA would like to send their deepest sympathy to his wife Marion and his family. The funeral will be for family only but there will be a Memorial Service at a later date.
George Clarke - ESMBA President