I am so pleased to be given the opportunity to air my thoughts and news to more enthusiasts. I will try to give you easy reading and diverse topics.
As a long standing committee member of the WPBSA billiard section, I will begin by commenting on the professional game. Most committees will suggest there is always so much good news that you would not believe there is any problem at all. That is never the case, whether it be politics, business, sport or anything else.
On the credit side, we have the following encouraging factors: A record number of paid up professional players - now approaching 50 in number.
A record average number of entries - now up to 35 per tournament and increasing.
More ranking tournaments than ever before - seven in all.
More prize money next year than ever before - £210,000.
The highest standard of play since the 1930's - a subjective view of course!
A steady stream of young players coming through. All of the top 5 players are under 35 years old.
Sponsorship Investment of £160,000 plus back up costs of another £100,000, are substantially in excess of any previous investment, The down side is: We rely heavily on the authority and back up of the WPBSA, from whom funding of £60,000 is forthcoming. The support was increased from £25,000 six-months ago.
The billiards committee are reasonably autonomous but, naturally, are expected by the company to balance the budget and defer to the above on certain areas. These include disciplinary hearings, all television negotiations and pocket templates.
Television exposure of billiards in the UK is virtually nonexistent now. Exposure in India is huge and post-dated viewing is always available in South East Asia, on Star Television. I believe that the time is right for billiards to earn its keep by way of UK exposure. Grass roots growth would follow organically, here in the home of billiards.
Geet Sethi made a world record break of 1276 in the World Championship three years ago - a record under the rules of the day. In the BSCC days which, for all the spoken and written criticism, had good aspects also, all records had to be assessed and confirmed as being on 'standard' tables.
Not so now. Geet's magnificent achievement was made on an entirely different table from that used at Wigan last year, for example, where the pockets were so ridiculously difficult to negotiate that pots along, or even 1"away from the top cushion, were almost impossible.
Later on last year other games were played at Jim Williamson's Northern Snooker Centre. These pockets were far more liberal and so it goes on - no standard conformity.
This is a necessity in order for records to be written. May I digress and record my thanks here to Jim for all he has done to keep billiards going, starting way back in the late 1970s with the UK Billiards. There is no side to Jim, no glory required - "Never in the field of human conflict etc etc". Put his name down!
quite strong but it really is hand to mouth in real terms, to have any long term objectives. Our position is a year to year one at the moment and the other pre-mentioned factors are so fundamental, that discussion on them is inevitable.
Recently, a number of players have suggested that autonomy for billiards as a corporate body, wholly owned and funded by the WPBSA, would be the answer. It needs careful consideration.
I will never forget the last few words uttered to me by Herbert Beetham, a fortnight before he died. "ark don't let this wonderful old game die". Herbert was not suggesting that I alone had the key to the door but Albert, Malcolm, Derek and the many others just were not there at the moment to address.
Coupled with Herbert's words I give you a line from Reg Budden of Bournemouth - a 1930s 500 break player, sadly now also gone.
"Sports are like everything else. They live, then die - like languages, like business, like living species. But, billiards will survive many years longer, because of its long history.
No easy come, easy go for the three ball game. It has history" Good stuff this. You've got the message I hope. The Amateur Championship, played for since 1888, has few rivals in sport for its history as an ancient head to head encounter of skills.
Just think of all those names posing for a black and white exposure: H C Virr, Major Fleming, S. H. Fry, Herbert Beetham, Jack Karnehm, Norman Dagley.
Not even in Post war years, when tables were being given away, did the Championship falter and even very recently, when politics reared its ugly head, that same spirit prevailed yet again to secure the continuity of the amateur billiards blue riband event.
It is all too deep to explain - you cannot easily kill spirit!
Now, some snippets of information to finish with: Chris Shutt is expected to turn professional shortly. What a player. Lay off a bit, - Albert!
There is a Northants Billiard League playing from Raunds every Tuesday night.
Our thanks to Mark Wildman for the article; with his pedigree both in the amateur game as a former national champion together with his current position within the WPBSA he is ideally placed to provide a keen insight into what's going on in the professional game and I hope that he will become a regular contributor. The Amateur Billiard Player, despite its stated focus, recognises the immense interest generated by the professional world and will continue to provide comprehensive coverage of events and achievements...over to you Mark.