GEOFF ATKINSON, an outstanding York tennis player in the late 1950s and early 1960s, has died in Essex, aged 78.

Atkinson, who suffered from Parkinson’s Disease for many years, was York men’s singles champion in 1959 and won the men’s doubles with Peter Moor in 1961 and 1966.

He played in the top pairing for Tang Hall Tennis Club with Moor and later for York Tennis Club in the Yorkshire League.

Educated at Nunthorpe Grammar School, Atkinson was also a fine footballer, playing in goal for York City Boys and York Railway Institute.

He was a physical education teacher at Beckfield School for many years before owning a sports shop in Micklegate.

Atkinson took up golf after retiring from tennis and was a ten-handicap member of Pike Hills Golf Club before moving to Essex in his later years.