Atherton’s Gary Fox is confident his Birmingham Lions side are destined for the AJ Bell National Badminton League play-offs this season after they picked up their second victory from two fixtures on Monday evening.

Bolton-born Gary Fox revealed he is still putting off a second heart operation due to his love of badminton.

Jenny Wallwork might have slipped to defeat in Loughborough Sport’s opening game this season but the Bolton badminton star is convinced her new partnership with Andrew Smith will soon lead to success.

Sunday saw the culmination of the first-ever NBL season with four teams, including Macclesfield’s Matthew Nottingham’s Surrey Smashers, vying for the chance to lift the trophy.

Macclesfield’s Matthew Nottingham is determined to turn top spot into silverware when he competes in the National Badminton League Finals Day with his Surrey Smashers.