Jillean Hipsey (neé Porter)...Netball legend

By Ken Porter - 4 February 2011

Jillean was born in 1948 and lived in Pound Lane , Laindon until 1963 when the family moved to Berry Lane, Langdon Hills following compulsory purchase by the Basildon Development Corporation. She went to Markham Chase School then Fryerns Grammar School.

Photo:Markham Chase School Netball Team

Markham Chase School Netball Team

    Gill Hardy  Valerie Sargent  Dorothy Watson  Jillean Porter  Sandra Johnson   
Jean Markwell  Brenda Fowels  Sheila Williams  Sylvia Watts?  Sue Cowell  Linda Cowell

Played and captained both School netball teams and was a founder member of the Laindon Netball Club operating out of Laindon High Road School. Later joined New Cambell, Dagenham and was selected for Essex in 1970 and became captain.

She got married at St. Nicholas Church in 1972.

Photo:Jillean played either centre or goal attack.

Jillean played either centre or goal attack.

Was selected for England in 1977, made vice captain the following year and captain in 1980.

Basildon Sports Personality in 1978; Evening Echo Sports Personality of the month in 1982 and appeared on the Tate and Lyle Sugar Bags. Television and Radio interviews with Ron Pickering followed.

Her greatest claim to fame was when Ian Botham failed to recognise her on ‘Question of Sport’. She has never liked him since!

Photo: Illustrative image for the 'Jillean Hipsey (neé Porter)...Netball legend' page

She played her last game for England at the 1987 World Tournament in Glasgow - it was also her 100 cap. This got her in the Guinness book of records as the most capped England player.

She now lives in Maylandsea with her husband Peter and plays a mean round of golf.

This page was added by Ken Porter on 09/02/2011.

Comments about this page

Thank you Vivien Gannon for reminding me about where Dorothy lived, although it was 1962/3 when I knew her I should have remembered it was Brook Mead. It would be good to turn back time.

By Richard Haines
On 14/07/2012

Just thought I would let Richard know Dorothy Watson lived at Brook Mead on the King Edward estate.

By vivien gannon
On 14/07/2012

A small point but needs correcting. In the names for netball team Sandra Rattenbury was still a Johnson in 1959. Thanks Ian

By Eric Pasco
On 21/12/2011

Hi Sandy, well done on the names. I have asked editor to send you our email address and look forward to hearing from you. 

By Eric Pasco
On 09/12/2011

Sandra, thank you for this. The netball photo at Markhams Chase shows Dorothy as a tall girl, whereas I remember that she wasnt that tall when she was in the 4th year at LHR. Certainly there can only be one Dorothy and I can only guess the others caught up in height! Anyway thanks again, I always wondered what happened to her after I left Laindon at 16, she was a lovely person - happy times.

By Richard Haines
On 30/11/2011

Sorry Richard she was in my class at Laindon High Road but I don't know whether she lived on the King Edward Estate.

By Sandra Rattenbury (née Johnson)
On 29/11/2011

Sandra, well done for naming that 1959 netball team, you must either have a good memory or have it written down!! Now can you tell me did Dorothy Watson go to Laindon High Road school after leaving Markhams chase and did she live in Powell Road or somewhere on the King Edward Estate?

By Richard Haines
On 29/11/2011

Markhams Chase 1959 Netball team (top row/left to right) Gill Hardy, Valerie Sargent, Dorothy Watson, Jillean Porter and me - (bottom row/left to right) Jean Markwell, Brenda Fowles, Sheila Williams, Sylvia Watts?, Sue and Linda Cowell.

By Sandra Rattenbury (née Johnson)
On 29/11/2011

While Ken P. rightly remembers Jillian for her sporting achievements, there are some who remember her for lesser contributions to sport, although a necessary function, that of tea lady for Laindon CC at the time her husband Peter was captain. It is said an army marches on its stomach and it would also seem to apply to cricket teams.

By W.H.Diment
On 09/10/2011

I recognise some of these in the netball photo front right: Linda Cowell (living in Belgium) and next to her cousin Susan Cowell (living in Perth, Australia). Back right: Sandra Johnson, holding the year Sheila Williams. Faces of most others I know but not the names.

By Eric Pasco
On 06/09/2011

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