Merseyside Quiz Leagues

While seen by many as the Mr Warrington of MQL quizzing, Charlie Williams was much more.  Being confined to a wheelchair from the mid-1960s, following a road traffic accident, he developed his quiz interest via time spent at the rehabilitation centre in Southport.  By 1975 he had established the Warrington Quiz League, and helped nurture it from a single division organisation to one of five divisions.  His boundless energy and optimism was catching, and he was soon making a central contribution.  After a year as Assistant General Secretary(1976-77) he returned to the role from 1980-87, particularly concerning himself with question production and distribution.  He became President for the years 1987-1990.

Don Bissett was a mainstay of Liverpool and then Wirral quizzing.  He was involved with MQL committee work from the 1960s but took a more central role when he became MQL Deputy Chairman in 1983 in the re-shuffle following Jim Prendergast leaving for Saudi Arabia. A year later, in 1984, he took over from Allan Urion as Chairman.  It was a time that was undoubtedly the high point of Merseyside team-quizzing.  Don was Chairman through until his untimely death in 1996.  The trophy for an annual challenge match between the Quiz League of London and a team from MQL was named in Don's honour.  This has now become the trophy for the regional tournament played at the QLL Open Quiz Festival.

Peter was a founder member of the Ormskirk Quiz League in 1970. His team the Golden Lion (later Rex Lions) in Rainford are the most successful team in the history of the OQL. Peter joined the Ropers Arms and was still playing there in 2012 by which time they were the Greyhound.  They won the MCC four times and the Feeny Cup twice.  As an individual Peter won the MIMIR Trophy in 1980 and played for the Ormskirk team that won the Presidents' Trophy in 1989.  He was an active officer in the OQL for more than 20 years.
Peter was Assistant General Secretary of MQL from 1987 to 1997 and President from 1999 to 2002.  In this former role he produced very detailed analyses of all question sets played throughout the area, assuming oversight of question set production.. He also served as Auditor.  In 2002 Peter became a Vice President of the MQL.
Peter appeared on many TV and radio quiz programmes including 'Mastermind', 'Brain of Britain', Sale of the Century' and 'Winner Takes All'. He won 'The Krypton Factor' in 1979 at almost 50 years of age, famously walking the Assault Course as he was confident that he could score enough points on the General Knowledge!

George was a dedicated and inspirational teacher whose own promising academic career was, like so many of his generation, disrupted by World War II.  In 1970, he was a founder member of the OQL with Ormskirk CC and then went on to play for The Plough and the Greyhound.  He was for many years responsible for Question Distribution throughout the MQL and the organisation of the President's Trophy competition.  George served as President of the MQL from 1990 until 1993 and was a current Vice-President at the time of his death.   

Elaine, who was the incumbent MQL President and former deputy chair of the MQL, passed away on January 4th 2014.  Elaine was an active team player at Culcheth Village Club (formerly Culcheth British Legion) for many years.

It is with great sadness that we have to report the death of Ken Smith, one of the MQL's longest serving members. Ken was the MQL President from 2008-11.

Ronnie Woods was a Vice President of the Merseyside QL having been President from 1996-1999.  He was a former Chairman and Officer of the Northern QL.  

Ronnie started quizzing in 1967 and formed the Halfway House quiz team which joined the Northern League in1968.  He became involved with the league committee in1969, this involvement gave him a sense of achievement, a great deal of interest and entertainment but most of all the opportunity to make so many friends over his 50 year quiz experiences.
  
Ronnie’s personality was summed up by  Jim  McGrath in a programme for a charity night in 1984.   He wrote of the KLASS captain [Halfway House had evolved into KLASS in 1980] "Renowned throughout the leagues as being always ready with a witty response.  As Shakespeare put it, a fellow of infinite jest."
    
There are so many stories about Ronnie that we could fill this page, but his brother recalls this example of his speedy wit. KLASS were playing at Lulu’s and an opposition player asked what KLASS stood for?  [The correct answer was the Kirkdale Leigh Arms Supping Society].  Quick as a flash Ronnie replied the Huyton with Roby Dyslexic Golf Society!  There was never a dull moment at KLASS!

Ronnie died on on 6 February 2017.

Bob was one of the longest serving members of the MQL having started playing in the early 1970s at St Cuthbert's in the Liverpool Central League.  Towards the end of 1973-74, when the MQL was looking for help with question set control, production and distribution, Bob volunteered to be one of the two distributors.  He then served in this capacity for nearly 44 years having only relinquished the role in 2021.
As a Distributor, Bob was an ex-officio member of the MQL Council and was a very regular attender of meetings. His unique contribution was recognised by the MQL in 2005 when he was elected President.  He had therefore been a Vice-President from 2008 to date.  He also received a presentation in 2009 for his years of loyal service.  Bob passed away on Thursday 16th December 2021 and would have been 84 on Christmas Day.