There will be some readers who have not heard of the Teesside league. If they have not heard of the league then there is little doubt that they will have heard of Mike Russell, World Professional Champion, and likely that they will have heard the name Peter Gilchrist, runner-up to Russell in the Championship. Add to these the names of John Murphy, runner-up in the Strachan U.K. Professional Championship, Steven Naisby, a qualifier for the World Championships, Martin Goodwill, English Amateur Champion, Lee Lagan, British under 16 Champion, and Mike Dunn, British Under 19 Champion; consider that all these players are products of the Teesside League and it becomes clear that something rather special has been happening up in the North-East. The league was formed in 1973 by Ralph Macklin who was disturbed at the decline of Billiards in the area and resolved to do something about it. He met with little response at first, but Macklin is not the kind of man who gives up easily, and in 1973 a league of 15 teams was formed. From the Official Handbook:- "Each team has six players and matches are of 30 minutes duration. Games are played on Saturday mornings commencing at 9.45 a.m. are completed before licensing hours. Sunday mornings are normally used for practice sessions and a limited number of clubs also allow after school practice times i.e.4.30. - 6 pm midweek.
Such is the strength of the boys ability that a good many teams in the Teesside area now use"Boys League Players"in their midweek league games. The League currently has 24 teams competing in two divisions and in addition to the league programme, we have two knock-out competitions and two league individual trophies."
The League is as strong and as well-supported as ever. Not all the boys become champions and it was never the idea that they should or could, but it is sure that all who have been connected with the League will retain a lifetime love of the game.