PLAYERS and officials of the Weymouth & District Table Tennis League are coming to to terms with the sad loss of Andy Mitchell, who died aged 68 following a long illness.

Mitchell was by far the league’s most celebrated player over several decades and was best remembered for his unique left-handed pen-hold style that earned him eight division one singles titles and as many doubles accolades as a stalwart for the Portland Red Triangle side.

League chairman Neil Hardisty, a former team-mate, led the many tributes. He said: “Andy was always one of the most difficult players to beat and for many in the Weymouth league it was always a red letter day if they managed to beat him.

“With his unusual pen-hold grip, his lethal serve and outright attacking style, he was a handful for anyone and he is going to be greatly missed. He was without doubt a legend of the league."

Mitchell was a Dorset junior champion who later represented his county in the national veterans' league alongside close friend Derrick Dawson.

The pair played together in the Czech Republic and Croatia in the Vets’ European Championships and Dawson remembers his friend unsettling Commonwealth gold medallist Andy Baggaley in an exhibition at Redlands in 2009.

“Andy’s vicious spin serves were a match for anyone and Baggaley had to remove his tracksuit top and really focus to get them back in a memorable evening for all that attended," said Dawson.

Another former team-mate, Andy Webb, enjoyed playing alongside Mitchell in the ARE teams of the 70s and 80s and believes his Weymouth League accomplishments will never be matched.

“Andy was a great competitor who possessed a very effective pen-hold style and was so quick! I remember him as a colleague, a fellow team member and a friend – he will be so sadly missed in his roles at the Portland YMCA.”

Darrin Butcher enjoyed many matches with Mitchell and the pair played together for Budmouth for three seasons. “Andy was both a joy to play with and against. I've never played a more courteous opponent and when he was at his sharpest – especially when he was playing in other leagues in the South West – he was virtually unplayable at our level. It’s a very sad time for our league,” Butcher added.

Andy’s funeral will be held tomorrow at All Saints Church, Portland (10.45am).