up to cheer on the E-Z Riders in what would prove to be the last match they would ever play. While several of the original 16 WTT franchises from 1974, had financial difficulties resulting in six of them not returning for and four of them moving before the 1975 season, the E-Z Riders had made plans to go forward in Houston. The team was to play its 1975 home matches in the brand new Astroarena. However, just before the season started, on May 2, 1975, team president and vice-president E.Z. and Betty Jones announced that the E-Z Riders were suspending operations for the 1975 season. Players under contract with the team could be loaned to other WTT teams, and the E-Z Riders had the right to protect four players to return for the 1976 season. There were rumors that the E-Z Riders were behind on their financial obligations. However, E.Z. Jones said, "We are 100% current with our league obligations and our player salaries and have even made salary advances." In order to return to WTT in 1976, the E-Z Riders would need to meet certain league financial requirements and exercise an option by September 15, 1975. The suspension of operations was so sudden and unexpected that newspaper advertisements for E-Z Riders home matches continued to run after the announcement. The E-Z Riders did not exercise their option to return to the league in 1976, and the team folded on September 15, 1975. Hall of Fame players The following players who are enshrined in the International Tennis Hall of Fame played for the Houston E-Z Riders: John Newcombe Lesley Turner Bowrey 1974 roster The Houston E-Z Riders roster for the 1974 season was Bill Bowrey, Player-Coach Lesley Turner Bowrey Emilie Burrer Cynthia Doerner Peter Doerner Helen Gourlay Karen Krantzcke John Newcombe Dick Stockton See also World TeamTennis 1974 World Team Tennis season Sports in Houston List of former professional sports teams in Houston References External links Official World TeamTennis Website Defunct World TeamTennis teams 1973 establishments in Texas Tennis in Texas Sports teams in Texas Sports clubs established in 1973 Defunct sports teams in Texas 1975 disestablishments in Texas Sports clubs disestablished in 1975