At a meeting on 30th November the WPBSA board accepted the resignation of it's President Lord Archer and it´s Vice-chairman Ray Reardon. The Association lost no time in announcing that it's new President would be golfer Ian Woosnam. In accepting the appointment Woosnam said "This is a great honour for me. I love Snooker and I have some very good friends in the game. I am looking forward to playing my part in Snooker's new dawn." It is assumed that billiards will also be included in his remit.
Mark Wildman´s appointment as Chairman of the WPBSA was confirmed at elections held during their AGM at the Strathallan Hotel, Birmingham on 23rd December. He will now serve for a further two years in this position. Steve Davis, Dennis Taylor and Terry Griffiths were also re-elected as directors. Under a “30 day rule” Ray Reardon´s resignation had not become effective at the time of the meeting, so nobody was elected to take his place. With Reardon´s absence the Board is currently down to six people, and there is speculation that they may decide to co-opt another member in the New Year.
The World Matchplay tournament, the last of the season for the billiard professionals, will be held at the Centurion Hotel, Midsomer Norton, Radstock, from 29th February to 3rd March.
With Mike Russell and Geet Sethi still ranked way out in the front of the rest of the professionals at No.1 and 2, the latest provisional list shows a great battle developing for the important No.3 and 4 places.
Following the recent events at Harrogate and Middlesbrough, David Causier currently occupies the No.3 slot with 94 points, but Peter Gilchrist is just two points behind him on 92, and Chris Shutt a further three points in arrears. Clearly the last event of the season will be an important one for all these players.