It is no secret and has been no secret for some time, that the official ruling body of the amateur game was getting deeper and deeper into financial difficulties. By February of this year things were pretty desperate, so desperate that it was not even possible to pay the staff salaries. There are many theories as to why the BA&CC got into this parlous state. The BQR does not wish to engage in accusations or recriminations. Suffice it to report that the organisation had no cash, that reserves had dwindled and debts risen, mainly as a result of the discontinuation of the Sports Council grant and much reduced income from affiliation fees.
A special general meeting was called for the 26th February at the Morley Snooker Centre at which 127 voting members were present.
Newly elected chairman Bob Tonge briefed the members on what most of them already knew. The extent of the B&SCC's debts was reported as being in the region of £10,000; salaries were owing and all-in-all the situation could hardly have been much worse. The meeting was then informed of the World Professional Billiard and Snooker Players Association rescue package. This was that the WPBSA would pay of the B&SCC's debts and take over its assets, these being the various championship trophies, and the copyright of the rules. A new company would be set up under the auspices of the WPBSA to oversee the efficient organisation and funding of the amateur game.
The meeting was noisy and acrimonious. It seemed that there was no alternative and when put to the vote it was carried by 103 to 13 that the WPBSA offer should be accepted.
That seemed to be that. The 107 year old B&SCC thus went out of existence.
Alas, that was not that. Just a couple of weeks after the majority vote for acceptance, the Professional Body pulled the rug. The deal was off because of what the National Press called, "contingent liabilities." it seems that the B&SCC's liabilities were far in excess of the £10,000 or so reported to the general meeting and that the liabilities were in connection with the B&SCC's lease of office accommodation at the Northern Snooker Centre, Leeds. The situation at present seems therefore to be that the WPBSA has washed its hands of the whole matter, the B&SCC is in the hands of the liquidators, and the amateur game has no controlling body and no organisation. Players in the Amateur Championship received a letter containing the following paragraph:- "The company is unable to fulfil its obligations in the running of the English Billiards Championship and we therefore regret to inform you that the matches notified to you will not now take place."
But all enthusiasts will be pleased to learn that that is not quite the end of the matter. The billiards has every chance of going ahead as usual thanks to the efforts of a number of enthusiasts and particularly Malcolm Lax. The event had reached the last-16 stage. Actually there were 17! From qualifying competitions up and down the country one of the B&SCC's final acts had been to arrive, somehow or other, at 17 qualifiers for the last 16 places. It was decided that Terry Colby and Jim McCann should be the ones to play off and this match was arranged to be played at Malcolm Lax's house. B&SCC (ex) Vice Chairman Bob Mason is expected to put on the Southern last eight at Woking, and the BQR believes that Eric Hodgkinson will get the Northern last eight played off possibly at the Cuedos. If all goes well then The Amateur will take place at Cubbington once again this year. The BQR will give full coverage.
Billiards enthusiasts may rest assured that the amateur game will continue at national level and may well flourish to a greater extent than ever before. There are those who are already thinking in terms of an English Billiards Association, a body devoted exclusively to the interest and promotion of the three-ball game. Malcolm Lax, Eric Hodgkinson, Albert Hanson, are amongst those who are willing to lend their considerable experience to the formation of such a body. This magazine would, without question, lend what support it could. There is likely to be a meeting of all interested persons at Cubbington during the days of the Championship. In conclusion, the BQR has received more than a few letters and telephone calls over the last weeks concerning the matters discussed above. They are perhaps best summed up in this sentence take from a letter from Arthur Winn. Amongst other things, Arthur writes:- "Naturally, the group of billiard players here in Essex believe that it is totally inconceivable for the Championships to be terminated in this way. The show must go on."
Dead right Arthur - and it will