British Foosball Association

News Archive

Tributes to Tanny Iqbal

The Table Football community was shocked and extremely saddened by the tragic death of Tanny Iqbal on the morning of 4 September 2002.

In addition to always being at the top of the UK Tornado rankings, Tanny was one of the nicest blokes you could ever meet. We will all miss him dearly.

• Obituary, written by Boris Atha for Table Talk magazine - October 2002
• Funeral - comments written by Mike Fowler on the Funeral
• Tributes, taken from Topica mailing list

A profile of Tanny Iqbal is viewable on the Rainbow Foosball Club page, or click here.

If you would like to submit your own tribute to Tanny, or make any other addition to this page, please email

Foosball Loses a Friend: UK's Tanny Iqbal Dies.

Tanvir (Tanny) Iqbal died suddenly on Wednesday 4th September at age 41, of complications (peritonitis) following a minor bowel operation.

The news has shocked the UK foosball community to the core. He leaves behind his wife Sameena, son Sohaib (one of the UK’s brightest foos prospects) and daughters Sabrina and Syra, to whom he was a devoted and caring husband and father.

Tanny was the UK No 1 player for many years until Rob Atha came along. He was a tough competitor who set the standards for the rest of the UK to aspire to - a great 5-bar and a brilliantly timed snake - I can’t count the number of times I have wondered 'how the heck did that one go in?’

Tanny was also, off the table, one of the finest ambassadors for the game, modest about his achievements and status, always willing to take the time to help new players, and with a sense of humour so wicked you were often left wondering whether he was serious or not - until that cheeky smile appeared... A true gentleman, a thoroughly nice guy, and a very dear friend.

Because of his family commitments, Tanny didn’t compete abroad as often as he might, but played at the 1998 Worlds and the 2001 Dutch Open. It is fitting that Tanny’s last match at Foosball was the Open Doubles final in London on 25th August.

We are already missing him terribly.

Boris Atha

(from ‘Table Talk’ magazine – October 2002)

Tanny's Funeral

 ----- Original Message -----
 From: Mike Fowler
 To: TableFootballUK topica.com
 Sent: 07 September 2002 00:41
 Subject: [TFUK] Tanny

We buried Tanny today.

It was an Islamic funeral. It was a moving, dignified, awesome experience. I was able to say my goodbyes to him and God Bless from all of us. I am not ashamed to say I cried.

The Manchester lads were there in force, their tribute a specially made wreath with their names and respect. Their love for the guy was so obvious, it hurt.

Tanny's son, Sohaib, was very impressive, cool, calm and conducted himself with great dignity throughout. When it was over, and we started to leave, I turned back for a last look and saw Tanny's dad, who had made sure that he had thanked all of us for attending, standing alone, looking at the grave covered in flowers. It was so sad.

Mike Fowler

-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Ziemann
Sent: September 2002
To: TableFootballUK topica.com
Subject: RE: [TFUK] Tanny

Mike,

Thank you very much for your email. It is a real help to those of us who were not at the funeral.

Dave

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Fowler
Sent: 09 September 2002 11:31
To: TableFootballUK topica.com
Subject: RE: [TFUK] Tanny

Thanks Dave,

I knew that most of the people who would have wanted to be there, would find it difficult at such short notice (Islamic funerals are always conducted very quickly after the death of the person) because of work or other commitments. I was able to get there, and tried to be the best representative I could for his friends and foosers from Bristol, London, Oxford etc.

I spoke to his father and his son, Sohaib, and I told them how highly regarded Tanny was by all of us, and how we are all feeling so desperately sad for them.

When they opened the coffin one last time, so we could look at him and say our goodbyes, I did so, knowing that I was acting on behalf of all those who could not be there. I also put a handful of earth onto the coffin as the burial took place. These respectful and symbolic actions helped me to begin to start dealing with the enormity of this tragedy and I hope they help bring some comfort to you too. The right things were done for him.

He has gone. He really has. Disbelief and denial turn to quiet acceptance and grief. Respect and remembrance then lead us on to recall the good things about him instead of the the awful thing that happened to him. Remember his wonderful sense of humour and his passion for Table Football. That's how we can deal with it and move on in peace.

I'd better stop now before I get all mushy! - I know Tanny would be the first to take the micky out of me!! :)

"Shut up Mike, yer big jessie, and get on that table - Game on!"

Mike Fowler

Tributes to Tanny Iqbal

The following tributes were taken from Topica mailing list.

My name is Paul, I am a friend of foos from Chicago, USA. I have recently lost a friend as well. A friend offered comfort through the following poem now I wish to share it with you all.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on the snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn&summer's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.
LOVE IS STRONGER THAN DEATH
No one ever really dies.

Paul Wambach (USA)

All of us here in Southampton are very shocked at this tragic news.

Please send our condolences for all the family and friends.

Tanny was one of the nicest guys on the circuit and he was one of the few players that I never actually minded losing too as he would always support and give advice and say where I was going wrong.

We have lost a Great Ambassador for the game but most importantly a friend.

He'll be missed by all.

Phil Williams

Tich and Sanjay phoned me today the devastating news about Tanny. What can I say? I'm very shocked about this terrible news.

I've known Tanny since 1970s, when he was up and coming young player. Tanny was a gem of a person, always polite, respectful with a sense of humour. We'll miss him.

Kalsi

I have started to write this e-mail about 10 times, but have yet to find the words that really express what I feel.

Tanny was the Top Man and I will miss him.

Dan Gallon

I am shedding tears already - I have just come into work to find this terrible news. I can't believe I won't see him again.

Deepest sympathies to his family.

Diane Blackwell (and Clive Triplow)

I first met Tanny back in the TS days. The first time I saw a Tornado table was at a tournament at the Lord Wolseley in Southall. When I walked in, the first person to greet me was Tanny. I hadn't seen him for 15 years or so but he was just as smiley and friendly as I remembered him to be back in the 80's and that is how I will always remember him.

My thoughts and deepest sympathy are with Sohaib and his family.

Tom Lawler

I am sorry to hear the news about Tanny. He was one of the nicest people in the foosball-scene I have ever met. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

Jan de Mol (Netherlands)

I have just read the news today about Tanny and offer my deepest sympathy to his family he was one of the nicest guy to play against in the tournaments, on and off the table.

It will be sad without him.

Mike Cohen

Words cannot describe the shock that I am feeling right now. Tanny was a lovely man; very friendly and always so supportive of new players, a true gentleman.

Please extend my deepest sympathy to Sohaib and his family.

My heart goes out to them all.

Amy Teh

Stephen Edwards rang me very early this morning to tell me the devastating news! It is just so incredible that it is hard to conceive.

Tanny was a very dear friend of mine. We stayed in contact by Email, and once in a while we phoned one another. He was England's nr1 Tornado player for many years, but he was also just a friendly guy, no big pretentions or anything.

He had a strong impact on me, there's quite a few things about Tanny that truly impressed me:

He would always be early at the Rainbow and clean the table. (I think that is amazing for a champion!)

Not too long ago, I was talking to him about the ranking, he was still nr.1, yet he said to me: "no, that's not really correct anymore, Rob should be nr.1 now"

We had Indian meals together on several occasions, and he advised me what to take, he really knew what I liked, so whenever I go to an Indian restaurant here in Antwerp, I always think of Tanny.

These are all small things, but they add up to one great person, a real GENTLEMAN . I am glad I was a friend of his.

Frank van den Eeden.

We are totally shocked by this terrible news. Our thoughts are with his family.

Tanny was a great man, I myself only new him for just over 1 year and I feel honoured to have met such a gentleman. Tich however knew him for years and is devastated.

The last time we met him was at the Junction, where we had a few jokes and laughs. That's the way we will remember him.

Sanjay Kumar

Tich Degun

To say I was stunned, just does not cover the terrible and gut wrenching news I have just received. Not only was Tanny one of the finest foosball players in the UK , but as a gentleman both on and off the table he was unsurpassed.

Having played against him on many occasions, usually on the defeated side, never once did he have anything other than dignified compassion and genuine encouragement to help out those players who didn't quite manage to measure up on that particular day.

I for one will miss Tanny not only as fooser but more importantly as an ambassador for the right way to win.

Please give his family and friends my deepest sympathies, we can all hold our heads a little higher having known such a pleasant man.

Thanks

Adrian Brown (Australia)

I am absolutely devastated at reading this terrible news about Tanny.

I still find it difficult to absorb, since it was only a short while ago that we chatted together in London at the recent tournament.

I, too, felt close to him. A very, very nice guy he was indeed.

Tanny, my friend on and off the table, you will be sadly missed by us all.

My utmost sympathy goes to Sohaib and family at this sad time.

Martyn Harris

Tanny Iqbal was always a gentleman and a gentle man. He would gently take the piss out of the way I played. He would gently try to persuade Khalid to play another tournament, and when he got him there he would gently try and calm Khalid down.

He had time for everybody, and everybody had time for him. Good friend,

Great player. Deepest sympathies to Sohaib and his family.

Paul Martin

As a very irregular visitor to the Rainbow, I will always remember Tanny as being the most friendly and welcoming person there.

He always made a point of trying to encourage me to turn up more and have fun.

The most important thing is that he never made the game sound boring and even though he is the best player I have ever seen, played and won with (I was lucky to be drawn in a Rainbow DYP a couple of years ago - he was brilliant, I was lucky) he never made the game boring when he talked about it.

I will remember his charm, his kindness, his honesty and his humility. On the table his hands did the talking.

The sadness I feel for his loss from my life can be nothing to the loss to his family, Matt, please pass on my best wishes if you get to see them soon.

Demetri D

I was shocked and deeply saddened when I heard this tragic news.

Tanny was a gentleman and I will miss him greatly.

My thoughts are with Sohaib and his family. I don't know if Sohaib reads the messages on this list but I want him to know that Tanny told me many times that Sohaib is a good lad and that Tanny valued what Sohaib has to say - not just about table football but about much more important things.

Rhys

It was shocking news, my deepest sympathy to Sohaib and family. He was a good man.

Albert Tamou

Words cannot express just how sorry I feel at this terrible news.

My heartfelt condolences go out to Tanny's family, whose pain we can only guess at.

He was a real gent, on and off the table. I shall miss him. I DO miss him.

Mike Fowler

A lot of us will shed a tear at this terrible news. I only met him maybe a dozen times - mostly at tournaments - but he was a smashing bloke.

Deepest sympathies to his family.

Roger Neill

Tanny was one of the giants of the UK foosball scene , we all saw him win many tournaments and trophies, but one of the great things about him was that he always took the time to speak to people and show them how they could improve their game he had time for other people.

It is a great shock and I extend my sympathies to his family, he won' t be forgotten.

best regards

Albert Andoh

shocking news!!!

Please send my condolence to Sohaib and his family;

I played him last Tournament,and he looked absolutely fine,unbelievable!

Pasquale Venanzio

I am finding this so hard - although I never met Tanny's family (apart from Sohaib), and my family never had the pleasure of meeting Tanny,

I felt very close to him. He was a lovely guy with no side to him whatever.

I will miss him very much.

Dave Ziemann

Please pass along my sorrow, my life was made better by knowing Tanny, he was a good person, and will truly be missed by all who knew him. Take care .....

Dave Courington - USA

I was very sorry to hear about Tanny. Please pass our sympathy on to the family.

Link Pendley - USA

All of the Canadians send you our condolences......We feel very deeply for the loss of a close friend of yours and a player in our tablesoccer world....

IF you need anything were here,

Adam Imanpoor - Canada

Frank van den Eeden informed me of the news. I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your friend, Tanny.

Regards,

Anthony Hamilton - USA

This is a terrible loss. I was fortunate enough to meet and play with Tanny on a number of my trips to the UK for Tornado during the 1990s, and he was a class act, just as you described.

Playing with and against him mainly at the Rainbow in Manchester, he was always carefully watching and listening; it seemed like he continued to improve every time I visited, despite already having been a hardened veteran. I really liked him.

Please extend the sympathies of myself and indeed, the American foosball community to his family. Also, please keep us posted on any further news as to what happened, and on any memorial info.

For American players, please see his picture/player profile at: www.britfoos.com

In great sadness,

Larry "Euro-foosin" Davis

I have just heard the news about Tanny and would like to express my sympathy to Sohaib and his family.

I have known Tanny through the football tables since the 70's, he was always a gentleman and I feel privileged to have known him.

Brian Harms

Please send our condolences for all the family and friends, I have not met Tanny, but judging from all the emails, he was one of the nicest guys on the circuit.

He'll be missed by all.

CM Mak - Malaysia