Our move to retain the status of the Amateur Billiards game has been called a "heroic stance that is totally justifiable" by no other than Mark Wildman the Chairman of the Professional Billiards Committee.
He goes on to say "you will win your argument to keep the English Amateur title and to play for the Amateur Championship trophy. The professional players in England never wanted to be involved in the Amateur, the current argument is not one of our making".
This reflects the views of the pro's I've talked to personally. I've spoken to Gilchrist, Russell, Chapman, Causier and Wildman and they have all said they would not enter even if it were available to them.
So who were the IBSF/WPBSA/EASB arguing for?
Our current position is as per letter to Nigel Oldfield the Chairman of the EASB.
His response (16th January) is that our position will be put to the EASB Executive and will take 2/3 weeks to respond.
I have been heartened at the members suggestion and the confirmed response, without dissension, that players are to play in the Amateur without prize money this year to allow the entry fees to be used as a funding base of the EABA.
Many "mercenary minded" cuemen are astounded, they obviously don't know billiard players are enthusiasts first sportsmen second and wonderful people thereafter.
The 103 entry English Amateur, whilst not a record, is a vindication of the stance taken and a healthy entry.
It carries a couple of milestones, in that, Alf Nolan's 50th consecutive year of entry is undoubtedly a record and there surely can't have been a younger entrant than 12 years 1 month Robin Wilson.
Robin celebrated his birthday on November 19th and played his North Eastern (where else?) qualifying game in December. He was in contention up to the end of the first hours play but faltered and lost to Lee Lagan the former British Junior Champion.
Just how many junior players are out there?
Teesside's position is known throughout the world, this year we had 263 entrants in the league knockout and 93 in the under 15 competition. We know of Dean Bavister (Peterborough) and Adam Lewis (Cambridge) and formerly Peter Sheehan (Widnes) now an 18/19 year old, but are there any others? With the British boys (under 16's) and British Juniors (under 19's) to be organised it would be nice to expect entrants other than Teessiders!
I was surprised and disappointed to be advised of the demise of the Billiards Quarterly Review. It was the only "billiards only" journal which gave information on what is going on or had happened in our sport. It was a vehicle to express and seek views which I and I'm sure others enjoyed. We owe a debt and gratitude for Tom Terry's endeavours in producing the BQR. The terse announcement to cease the publication left me wondering why? Was it time commitments, cost of new print, health problems, politics within the game? Tom, it might be none of our business, but why?
Alf Nolan received his bus pass a couple or so years ago but doesn't like people to be aware of his age. The Newcastle based player who commuted to Teesside for many years service with Middlesbrough's Western Social Club proved his continuing capabilities by establishing a record break in the Ashington Veterans League. When competing against Colin Cairns in the Jordan and Stephenson Individual competition Alf ran in a break of 220. Well done Alf, it's nice to know you can still do it!
Talking of someone who can do it, can anyone beat this, or have knowledge of anyone who has? Chris Shutt aged 18 has set another record in the Teesside Boys Billiards League. The British under 19 Champion and English Amateur finalist improved his own record position by scoring (wait for it) 507 points in the 30 minute game and his opponent scored 5. That's 17 points per minute! Chris had breaks of 211, 220 and 57 - any advances?
The Teesside Boys League has submitted its new Roll of Honour booklet to the organisers of the Guinness Book of Records seeking consideration of an entry into future books.