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Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2007 21:40:59 GMT
I have read it several times to make sure, WOW we are not entering a county team due to a lack of players! I am amazed that 7 people in the whole of Cambs are not keen enough to play at this county event :o
I am seriously considering Bar Billiards now, problem is I get picked then it's typical for us not to have a team. Just my luck (same with under 30's) I feel like kicking it in after this latest issue.
Nothing but BAD BAD news, o the 7 stars have joined the league (which is the positive I suppose).
Shocked, angry, disappointed, let down. Are only a few words to describe the feelings going through me right now. WOW
I shake my head in disbelief at this, I will spend next week considering my future, if things do not improve (Drastically) it is going to be a bye from me!
I might sound like a wanker but now I am at the point where I DON'T CARE. How can a young lad from the age of 9 waste 10 years with Bar Billiards?
The amount of abuse I have recieved over the years, the tears I have had (yeah I cried sometimes because it meant that much to me) if I am to play on, what for? How can people expect me to turn out every match night with the motivation!
The truth is I am f**ked off with Bar Billiards, fancy taking holiday to prepare for something then it's called off (That is 2 days Holiday wasted now) :(
It is up to you how you respond however please remember I have gone beyond caring if it is aimed like an insult or something. I feel like I want to hang on, however what is there to hang on too? It isn't any fun going out and playing, when all the opponents do is insult you, barrack you, try dirty tactics, quit because they get beat in 1 game, won't shake hands and won't buy you drinks, incase you don't know all this has indeed happened in my experience of playing. All they say is they want a fun night out, though the hidden agenda is soon revealed! A good night out is have fun, buy some drinks, play Bar Billiards and enjoy each others company. That is a good night out. It has choked me up and I truely feel saddened by this lack of commitment to this national event.
I am speaking with my heart so forgive me for grammer on this. If I wrote something different above I would in fact be lieing, not just to you lot but also to myself.
Many of you would ask why are you this upset, it is only a game?
My answer to that is because I have a burning desire, fire in my belly and a want to play well and gain knowledge from other players. If you don't understand this then that's fine however it will sadden me further!
I am going to stop as I have rambled on for quite some time now.
Keith I will not be going with you to the 7 stars this Monday, I wish to have some time to think about this. I am sorry if you feel I am being awkward though I need time to reflect on this.
from
Johnny
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Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2007 21:54:58 GMT
I posted this momentarily beforehand: I agree, it's a great shame, Keith, that Cambridge won't be fielding a team for the County Championships this year. Especially after doing so well last year - second in Div Two, you had a realistic chance of going one better and "making the big time". 8-) We had heard too that young Johnny George was in line for a call-up, and it would have been his chance to shine - and earn some National ranking points. Now he won't get the chance. ......so you can see that some of us were aware and some of us care. I can imagine how you must feel right now, like having been kicked in the guts. I too have had my disappointments over the last 39 (!) years, but this sounds positively cruel. Apart from anything else, it would have been a good opportunity to meet up with you for a chat. So what's the answer ? Too late to sign on for Bucks, I suppose: I've heard they'll be short of a player on Sunday.....
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Post by keithmacdonald on Sept 23, 2007 8:54:16 GMT
Unfortunately once again I find myself having to defend a difficult decision on a web site because the person concerned won't speak to me or return my e-mails. As an ex-member of the association's committee (for more years than I care to remember) I feel I understand the importance of pulling a side out of the county matches.
However, anyone with a wide knowledge of Cambridgeshire Bar-Billiards knows we only have 11 teams and out of that only a small number of players, for whatever reason, can make themselves available for a Sunday in Reading.
As Johnny knows we started with a squad of 11 but for various reasons this was reduced to 8 by last Monday. So as you can see we were intending to come with 8 players and I had told Johnny he would be playing. Then as luck would have it due to illness, bad communications and a work commitment this was reduced to 5 by Tuesday night. I e-mailed the team to get their thoughts and any ideas for other players (Johnny did not respond).
Because we could not raise another two players and going with five would not be realistic, in conjunction with my other senior players, decided to inform Nigel ASAP that we would not be coming.
Over the years I think this is only the second time I have had to pull the team from the county matches, one of the reasons for pulling out of inter-area was to try and concentrate on making this event.
In Cambridgeshire it is a feat that we have a league at all and as Johnny says the good news is we have managed to capture an extra team this winter league so that is a positive.
Unfortunately as he also says we as a team do come in for a bit of stick as we play all the teams in one division of two leagues and therefore have to play all the minor sides - once we score over about 3,000 they tend to get annoyed and feel we are taking it too seriously. Because of this it can hamper our preparation for county matches so it is all the more creditable the level that Johnny has got to and the practice he puts in. It is just unfortunate that we have not got the teams/leagues other counties have got so that he could be up against stronger opposition every week - he is developing at a time the county is just trying to keep its head above water.
Nothing is certain in this life and people have changing priorities thus making impossible to commit to weekends,evenings etc (you only have to see how few entries we have to our knock-out competitions) but we will continue to do our best. Hopefully this time next year we will have a team and we will be back down to Reading but I suppose we will have to go down to Division 3 to make our way back up again.
I hope Johnny doesn't give the game up because we need all the good players we can get but these knocks come along and we have to get on with it.
At present ensuring the league continues is the main thing and then if we can send teams/individuals to All England Competitions then that is a bonus (if I do lose Johnny then Cambs. will not be at the club competition in October either!).
Sorry this has been such a long reply but I seem to have been here before, the longest conversations I have with Johnny is through this site which is again something I am not proud of.
As I say I hope he continues and we will see everyone next year but as we know a year is a long time in Bar-Billiards.
Keith MacDonald
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Post by NigelS on Sept 23, 2007 22:15:31 GMT
I understand all of what you say Keith and as Captain of Cambrigdeshire you must feel like it is you that gets it in the neck when these things happen.
I think Johnny's reaction is of someone who was frustrated not to take part in a county championships for the first time.
I hope you will have your team ready for the National Team champs, and also make a successful return to the county Champs in 2008 - your presence was missed this year.
Nigel
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Post by Colemanator on Sept 23, 2007 22:40:26 GMT
I too hope Camb continue. i hope keith that we can continue with the A14 ashes at some point, we now have a venue that is two fields away from the camb border which we can meet up at some point hopefully, i do like to go to st ives to my mates place and go to the nelsons, don't give up,
ian
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2007 0:16:07 GMT
I hope you lot had a genuinly nice time.
Nigel do you know if Cambs is relegated from Division 2? (I am not sure I REALLY want to know but at least it cuts any doubt out).
Keith, I am furious with the way we didn't enter. (no Names) whould rather do his Garden Shed then play! This to me puts my back right up. I have decided that I will try and see on Monday if I still have any motivation left however if not then I will go. Phil has been the man to thank, with his kind chosen words I truly would like to give it one last go on Monday. If the worst is to happen, I will only play in the national events etc...
I am trying to revitalise my motivation and confidence but it isn't working like it did in the past, so this could be a nail in my playing coffin!
Tommo, I too would of liked to meet you, however I couldn't. Playing for another county would be an option however I can't drive yet.
I will see you Monday Keith, Phil will take me so I will meet you there then hopefully this matter will be solved one way or another!
Johnny
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Post by NigelS on Sept 24, 2007 13:00:58 GMT
Nigel do you know if Cambs is relegated from Division 2? (I am not sure I REALLY want to know but at least it cuts any doubt out). I can't see any option but to relegate Cambridge to Div 3 for 2008, as their place will be taken by the Div 3 winners. I guess the only thing that can happen to alter this is a proposal at the AGM to maybe protect the A sides from relegation to Division 3, or an alteration to the format regarding A teams and B teams. but now with Oxon B having earned their right ot play in Division 1 next year I consider that unlikely.
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Post by NigelS on Sept 24, 2007 13:15:58 GMT
Johnny,
On a personal note Johnny, I hope you don't give the game up, you are in a difficult position being in Cambridge, where you are trying to improve, in a league (as Keith says) is just trying to survive. If you want to develop your game further you need to try and make a few opens (the dates and locations are always on here), it will require some sacrifices and a bit of travelling but I am afraid most of have to do that to keep playing the game we love and your game will improve as you play the better opposition.
Continue to support your league, I am sure you are Cambridge through and through, and they need players like you to keep the league going. I don't know how close the Northants league is to you but maybe you could consider playing in that league also to get a higher standard of opposition. We have players in Sussex that play other leagues in other counties.
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Post by Q on Sept 24, 2007 22:37:53 GMT
You should consider yourself lucky that you have somewhere to play at all....
I know it was my decision to move down here (certain people on this forum know SOME of the reasons) and dont get me wrong I LOVE IT HERE.... BUT... the only table I have found (so far) is about to be removed because it has been vandalised and is unplayable. :'( So currently my only chance to play bar billiards will be in Jersey... ROLL ON NOVEMBER ;D
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Post by bigtj on Sept 27, 2007 7:17:09 GMT
I can see your frustration and fully agree that apathy is not the way to encourage young players, but as Nige has said get onto the open circuit. Get your talent recognised and hit back at those who snipe at you by letting your cue do the talking . By walking away surely you are just giving in to those who have a go at you.
I have just posted on the Brighton site my concerns about encouraging new blood and it would be a great shame for you and the game if you just walk away rather than prove the people who have apparently abused wrong.
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