Steve Thornton and Donna Ellis (Adams) are to be inducted into the UK Tenpin Hall of Fame, The mens and Womens awards are kindly sponsored by Storm Products, Inc., through their UK distributors, Bowltech UK.
Paul Lane will be inducted in the Distinguished Services division, sponsored by the TBPA.
Nominations were made by each of the eleven members of the UK Tenpin Hall of Fame committee and a list was drawn up. The Committee then had access to the UK Tenpin Hall of Fame Database to research details on each player and a ballot was held to find the final Male, Female and distinguished name to be inducted in 2021.
The inductees selected were chosen for their achievements in World, European and Domestic tournaments since the start of UK bowling in 1961 and for additional honours like Bowler of the Year awards and induction into the World Bowling Writers Hall of Fame.
As well as the players being celebrated and honored an industry award for distinguished service was again selected. Since the sport arrived on our shores special individuals all over the United Kingdom have dedicated their time to improving the game and working tirelessly to make the sport better for everyone. From Proprietors, BTBA, YBC officials to tournament organizers these people are the backbone of our sport and make it possible for bowlers to reach for the stars.
So here is a brief run down of the 2021 inductees
Steve Thornton
At number four in the overall database ratings and for good reason. One of the strongest domestic careers ever, Steve has been a consistent finisher in tournaments. Coming through the Junior and Young Adult ranks Steve logged his first big win claiming the 1995 Boss/QubicaAMF London International and again in 1999. Other big wins included the South Africa Cup 1997, Runner up in the 1999 World Tenpin Masters and doubles Gold in the World Games in 2001.
English Open, Welsh Open, Euro Fives, BTBA Tour Masters, ESB Tour wins, PTBC tour titles and a host of medals for Team England in the European Championships, Commonwealth Games and European Champions Cup.
Donna Ellis (Adams)
From 1999 to 2006 most tournaments saw Donna Adams in the top three. Winner of the Under18 British Open in 99 she soon added Gold for England the same year in the European Cup. Among domestic wins Donna collected team Gold at the 2000 European Youth Championships then team Bronze at the adult European Championships. 2002 she stepped up a gear collecting team Gold and All events bronze in the 2002 World Championships, Medals at the commonwealth championships, European Cup and capping stellar year with a British Open win. A strong singles player but very much a solid team player also, Donna toured and won with Rollrite Proshop, collecting the Paris Fives, Coca Cola fives and Euro fives.
Winner also of multiple BTBA titles including All events at the BTBA Nationals and BTBA Masters. In just seven years Donna amassed 143 points on the database placing her 8th with just 40 entries.
Paul Lane
Paul got his start in bowling working at the base bowling center at USAF Mildenhall. He started as a pin-boy and moved on to various positions within the center including Lanesman, Snack Bar Manager, Front Desk and Assistant/Manager.
In the late 50’s Paul participated in Exhibitions involving US Hall of Fame members such as Lee Jouglard, Tom Hennessey, Marion Ladewig and Frank Clause. In 1958, Paul was involved with what was probably the first ever live TV coverage of bowling in the UK. And hour-long show that took place at the 4-lane US Military base at South Ruislip.
In January 1960 Paul attended the grand opening of the first bowling center in the UK at Stamford Hill as a guest. This led to an offer to join AMF’s instruction staff and he accepted and joined for the grand opening of the King Alfred Lanes in Hove in September 1960. This was the start of what turned into a 30-year tenure with the company and a travel schedule that took him to more than 50-countries.
From 1983 to 1990 Paul continued his involvement with the AMF Bowling World Cup, served on the marketing committee of the national Bowling Council, served as AMF’s director of marketing and marketing services, before leaving the company to become an independent contractor and starting Paul Lane Marketing, representing more than a dozen major integers of the industry on a consulting basis, and becoming a regular contributor to International Bowling Industry Magazine.
Since 1992 Paul and his family have lived in the-mile-high city of Denver Colorado.
Presentations dates will be announced soon.
