Loss of a Champion

[dipper]

I have just recently heard of the death of Nigel Slade(nosher), at the age of 53.
Nigel was a former Sussex Champion beating one of bar billiards greats in John Sullivan in the final, that was when we used to play on neutral tables around Sussex.
I took him to all his matches as he had no car and he won all of his games 2-0, in those days there were a lot more entrants than now.
On the night of the final we had a mini bus and went to pick up Nigel but he was not at home, so we thought he must be down our local but no sign of him, I knew he did not have his own cue so I took the cue he used from the pub table and we went to find him, luckily we found him strolling down the road, he had been out for the day and forgotten about the final.
We eventually got him there, and he won the game quite easily
2-0.
Does anybody else remember Nigel?
RIP Nigel it was a pleasure knowing you.

[Dave Anscombe]

Yes I remember Nigel very well as we were drinking partners in Littlehampton during the 1970's. If I remember correctly he played for the Forresters ( now The General Henry I think. Awful name) in the Littlehampton League. He played alongside Frank Sumner Snr and his son Frank Summer Jnr. They were a very strong team then.
Nigel and me used to meet up at the New Inn in Littlehampton sometimes with Roger Taylor and Bill Sensior and try to visit all the pubs in Littlehampton with bar billiard tables before arriving back at my fathers pub, the Locomotive in Littlehampton, before closing time. All of us a bit worse the wear for drink.
I hope wherever he has gone there is a bar billiard table because he was a excellent player, bit eccentric at times, but a good friend.

I can remember Nigel, having witnessed his victory over John Sullivan, who was a very fast and formidable player.
Sully dressed in black, but Nigel had long hair and wore typical seventies gear, very smart though. Nigel was as calm as you like in the Final.
Hope he's at peace, and condolences to his family.