Eric and Brenda

Or How to run a Tournament in one easy lesson

The Mini-Prix Tournament Director used to be a chap called Alec French. Alec had ambitions in the game, he would have liked to have been part of the professional game as an organiser and referee. Unfortunately it did not work out for him. Somewhat disillusioned he bade farewell to the Mini-Prix after the Grimsby Tournament of '89 and took off for France where he had been offered a job. Alex had a very loud voice which he found very useful for running snooker tournaments but which was not always appreciated by the billiard players. His daughter Maggie ran a couple of events but it was never likely that she would have wanted to do on a regular basis. It was then that Eric Hodgkinson, more than ably assisted by his wife Brenda, took over. I knew Eric only slightly at that time in his capacity as a referee. I know him much better now and consider it a privilege.

Eric was born in Bradford some fifty or so years ago, both his father and grandfather enjoyed billiards and as his father was a club steward Eric had the opportunity to start to learn the game at an early age. He did not make a lot of progress as a player as, at that time, he was much more interested in outdoor sports and was a keen cricketer and rugby league player, he also played the union game when doing his National Service in the Army. (One of these days Eric we shall have to get together to explain to the youngsters what National Service was!) On his return to civilian life Eric had little lime for the game being more than occupied in building up his business as a decorator. He did play some billiards as a pastime and gradually found himself being drawn into the administrative side of the game It was in this aspect of the game that his talents flourished. From running local leagues and tournaments he became secretary of the Yorkshire County Association a post he has held since the death of his friend, the much loved and greatly respected Len Oldham. This did not mean that he was lost to his local scene and he continues to be secretary of the Dudley Hill League as he has been for the last thirty years.

Eric became a member of the B.& S.C.C. in the early seventies and is now a Director and a member of the Competitions Committee. He has been responsible for organising a number of International Tournaments at both games and is a well-known International Referee having officiated at several World Championships. He finds little time for actually playing the game but turns out in the local league his team having won the championship more than once, Eric has a competition best of 70 to his credit. For relaxation away from the game as a true Yorkshireman it is cricket (Yorks C.C.C. member for 20 years) and watching Bradford Northern when he gets the chance.

There are very few weekends in the season when he and Brenda are not organising something somewhere, it is part of their life and they are very good at it. Brenda helps with all the administration and at Mini-Prix can always be found in her "office," right beside the progress board busy watching over progress, draw, and results. As reporter and writer Brenda's help to me personally is invaluable. The Mini-Prix is lucky to have them, let's hope they will continue to have them for many years yet.

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