30 Years ago

[iang]

As part of our Diamond Jubilee celebrations I thought it would be good to see how many of this seasons players were playing 30 years ago 1980/81.

First of all here are the League stats for that season.

Division one Winner  Division One Runner up
Whitehart A                 Bell A

16 Teams in division.

Division Two Winner  Division Two Runner up
Station                         Windmill B
16 Teams in division

Division Three Winner   Division Three Runner up
White Horse BY              YMCA
14 Teams in Division.

Team Cup Winner  Runner up
George & Dragon A  Windmill A

Festival Cup Winner  Runner up
Carlton Centre Shoreham. Bell A

High Score John Slee 16630
High Break John Slee 11060

High Score Ladies Mrs L Draper 7900
High Break Ladies Mrs L Draper 5010

Mens singles Winner Runner up
W. Phillips   T. Hawkes
Ladies Singles Winner  Runner up
Mrs L Draper   Mrs J Daubney
Doubles Winners  Runner Up
Tony Franks/John Slee.     H. Peacock/T. Lewis
Ladies Doubles Winner    Runner up
Mrs L Turvey/ Mrs L Draper   Mrs M Cable/Miss D Vandenburgh
Mixed Doubles winner    Runner up
C. Thompson/Mrs M Perroten   Mr & Mrs B Turvey
Landlords Winner    Runner up
S. Vandenburgh Five Oaks   E. Napper Six Bells

Best Perormance Div 1
C. Mason 24/29
Best Performance Div 2
G. Budd 25/29
Best Performance Div 3
K. Wood 24/26

InterLeague Squad

Tony Franks
Clive Thompson
John Slee
Mick Holmwood
Gerry McCarthy
Jim Morley
Colin Parsons
Peter Wren
Alan Sherlock
Stuart Roberts.

Commttee Members

President  E. Gardner
Chairman Ron Child
Vice Chairman L. Tibbles
Secretary Mrs G. Mercer
Treasurer A. Mercer

player Members
John Slee
Clive Thompson
D. Rowling
Barry Lawson
Mick Holmwood
Gerry McCarthy


*****************************************************************************

Right on to the players from this years registered players how many were playing in Horsham League
in 1980/81

in no particular order


Dick Cable YMCA/ Roffey Club Y ( Interleague squad )
John Slee Bell A / Roffey Club Y ( Interleague squad )
John Miller Roffey SC B / Roffey Club Y ( Interleague squad )
Steve Eely Partridge / Windmill B
Clive Thompson Queens Head A / Mill House
Maragret Thompson ( Perrotten ) Queens Head B / Mill House
Mick Holmwood Queens Head A / Mill House
Tony Temple George & Dragon A / Limeburners
Melvyn Blake Southwater CC B / Limeburners
Keith Potter Bell A / Plough A
Keith Newman Red Lion / Stout House
Lin Lennon ( Turvey ) Three Bees / Windmill B
Vic Razzell Sun Allon Club / Holbrook Club ( Same Team )
Nigel Evans Foresters A / Holbrook Club
Mike Davies Windmill B / Windmill A
Joan Davies Joan Davies Windmill B / Windmill A
Rob David Windmill B / Windmill A
Gordon Budd Windmill B / Windmill A
Colin Worsell Foresters A / Plough A
Dave Evans Cherry Tree / Crawley Club
Gordon Ling Southwater CC B / Southwater SC
Barry Lawson Station / plough A ( Registered but not played )

those are the ones that I know about feel free to chip in if you have any further info or comments on this.






Next any player who has an association with the League & have played In Horsham but now play in other Leagues, I will start another thread for this so it does not get mixed up & confusing.

Feb 11, 2011 21:04:38 GMT iang said:

except Tommo for now because he will complete the list I want others to chip in ;D

Without naming names, I can provide some clues to validate this information.

The list is about the right length, there are 28 active players left from the 276 who participated thirty years ago.

But remember that this was pre-Limeburners and pre-Blue Ship and 15 names will need to come off, including six for the reason that the Crawley League was still going at the time.

I have found 14 'new ones' not mentioned. ;)

tommo

[iang]

Feb 13, 2011 18:05:36 GMT tommo III said:

Feb 11, 2011 21:04:38 GMT iang said:

except Tommo for now because he will complete the list I want others to chip in ;D

Without naming names, I can provide some clues to validate this information.

The list is about the right length, there are 28 active players left from the 276 who participated thirty years ago.

But remember that this was pre-Limeburners and pre-Blue Ship and 15 names will need to come off, including six for the reason that the Crawley League was still going at the time.

I have found 14 'new ones' not mentioned. ;)tommo

Thanks Tommo Patience lets see if anyone else contributes first.

I wasn't completly sure re Alan John & Darrell guess they were in Crawley League.

Feb 13, 2011 19:50:46 GMT iang said:

I wasn't completly sure re Alan John & Darrell guess they were in Crawley League.

Gibbsey, Steve King and Roy Wells were the other Crawley Leaguers. ;)

[Dunplaying]

Don't think Gordon Carver, Geoff Parsons or Mike Lennon were playing then.
Dave 'Twiggy' Howlett was, I think, still at school!
Lin Lennon was Lin Turvey then.

Junky Miller & Nigel Evans would have been playing at that time.
Not sure if Ron Child is signed on for The Windmill in Horsham League but he reckons he has played every season for 57 years. is that a record?

Reckon that's all spot on, Dave. :)

Feb 11, 2011 21:04:38 GMT iang said:

As part of our Diamond Jubilee celebrations I thought it would be good to see how many of this seasons players were playing 30 years ago 1980/81.

from this years registered players how many were playing in 1980/81 ?
in no particular order

Dick Cable (YMCA, Div 3)
Peter Gibbs (Crawley League)
John Slee (Bell A, Div 1)
Steve Eely (Partridge, Div 1)
Clive Thompson (Queens Head A, Div 1)
Margaret Perrotten (now Thompson) (Queens Head B, Div 1)
Mick Holmwood (Queens Head A, Div 1)
Steve King (Crawley League)
Tony Temple (George & Dragon A, Div 1)
Paul Jobbins
Chip Sawyer
Mick Johnson
Ding Johnson
Geoff Parsons
Des Gasson
Keith Potter (Bell B, Div 2)
Keith Newman (Red Lion, Div 3)
Mike Lennon
Lin Turvey (now Lennon) (Three Bees, Div 1)
Vic Razzell (Sunallon, Div 3)
Gordon Budd (Windmill B, Div 2)
Mike Davies (Windmill B, Div 2)
Joan Davies (Windmill B, Div 2)
Dave Howlett
Gordon Carver
Darrell Skinner (Crawley League)
John Lear (Crawley League)
Alan Downs (Crawley League)
Barry Lawson ( Registered but not played ) (Station, Div 2)
Roy Wells ( Registered but not played ) (Crawley League)

those are the ones that I know about feel free to chip in.
except Tommo for now because he will complete the list I want others to chip in ;D

Feb 13, 2011 18:05:36 GMT tommo III said:

The list is about the right length, there are 28 active players left from the 276 who participated thirty years ago.
But remember that this was pre-Limeburners and pre-Blue Ship and 15 names will need to come off, including six for the reason that the Crawley League was still going at the time.
I have found 14 'new ones' not mentioned. ;)
tommo

14 to get!  (Count Billingshurst as well for being 'active')

Feb 14, 2011 0:00:14 GMT Dunplaying said:

Junky Miller & Nigel Evans would have been playing at that time.
Not sure if Ron Child is signed on for The Windmill in Horsham League but he reckons he has played every season for 57 years. is that a record?

That's three of them. 8-)
(found by Dunplaying):

Ron Child (Green Man, Div 1)
Nigel Evans (Foresters A, Div 1)
John Miller (Roffey SSC B, Div 3)
Colin Worsell (Foresters A, Div 1)
Tony Franks (Bell A, Div 1)  x Billingshurst
Nigel Tomsett (Windmill A, Div 1) x Billingshurst
Stuart Hope (Foresters A, Div 1)  x Billingshurst
Keith Etheridge (Foresters A, Div 1) x Billingshurst
John Tudhope(Three Bees, Div 1)  x Billingshurst
Colin Holden (Windmill B, Div 2)  x Billingshurst
Colin Barrow (Three Compasses, Div 2) x Billingshurst

[margo]

This was the very year that a team of novices, mostly young ladies in their 20's, wanted to join the League at the last minute and were put into the First Division, as Queens Head B.

The rules regarding promotion and relegation were very strict at the time (as was the league secretary) and a strong first division team wanted to change venues (from the Queens Head to the YMCA) and were obliged to start again in the Third Division! :o :o ::)

The fixtures had already been sent out, and the only way we were able to be accepted was to take over the Bye in the First Division. Needless to say, we got hammered by the other teams, week in week out, and only managed to win one of our 30 matches.  The following season, having gone down, we finished bottom of the second division. ::)  But it was enjoyable playing without having any expectations. ;D

A couple of seasons later, commonsense prevailed and a new rule passed to cater for similar situations.

[Dunplaying]

Aah that opens it up a bit...

How about:
Steve 'Sniffer' Merriott
Mick Clack
Stuart 'Pops' Hope
Keith Etheridge (stretching it a bit but he does sub for us!)
Tony Franks
Nigel Thomsett (?)
John Thayre
Peter Barnett (?)
Not sure if John Tidy played Horsham then.
Is Dick Dewdney playing this year?

Not me. ;D Although I was playing, It was hard to get a place in any of the Foresters teams hence our entry into the Billingshurst League the following year. I didn't get into the Horsham team until 82 or 83.

You're good at this, Dunplaying. ;D

You have hit the bullseye with Tony Franks (Bell A), Nigel Tomsett (Windmill A) , and Stuart Hope and Keith Etheridge from the Foresters A. Colin Worsell also played for the Foresters at that time.

The others you have mentioned were all playing then, but only in the Billingshurst League.  The famous old Three Compasses team had their last year in Horsham in 1977/8 when John Thayre finished top of the averages. They started up at the Mucky Duck in the Billingshurst at around the same time, I believe.

For the remainder, try the Windmill B and Southwater. ;)  

[iang]

before you 2 get too carried away the purpose of this thread is how many of this seasons registered HORSHAM players are still playing in HORSHAM the other thread is for former horsham players who have either moved on & still playing in other Leagues but have an association with Horsham & would be interested in our celebrations " Tony Franks etc" or any former players who have hung up their cues will go on players over the years thread. ;D

That will reduce this particular list considerably, then, as we'd have to discount Tony Franks, Colin Worsell, John Tudhope, Nigel Tomsett, Keith Etheridge, Stuart Hope, Colin Holden and Colin 'sparrow' Barrow.

I've yellow-highlighted the valid ones that meet your criteria and there are now just THREE left to get. *



*  The three 'missing ones' now named by Ian were:
Rob David (Windmill B)
Melvin Blake (Southwater CC B)
Gordon Ling (Southwater CCB)

[iang]

Feb 14, 2011 23:11:28 GMT tommo III said:

That will reduce this particular list considerably, then, as we'd have to discount Tony Franks, Colin Worsell, John Tudhope, Nigel Tomsett, Keith Etheridge, Stuart Hope, Colin Holden and Colin 'sparrow' Barrow.

I've yellow-highlighted the valid ones that meet your criteria and there are now just THREE left to get.

Colin Worsell qualifies as he has played 1 game for Plough A

[iang]

This is what I was interested in to give a picture of how the League has faired over the last 30 years, not very well as we all knew.

In 1980/81 there were 46 teams playing in 3 Divisions with 276 registered players

In 2010/110 there are 12 teams playing in 2 Divisions with 85 registered players

Out of the 85 players in this Seasons teams there are 21 players who were playing in Horsham & District Bar Billiards League in 80/81 :'( :'(

Feb 15, 2011 19:39:05 GMT iang said:

This is what I was interested in to give a picture of how the League has faired over the last 30 years, not very well as we all knew.

It's par for the course, Ian, and at least we're still going..............
Whole Leagues have been known to implode - Canterbury, Winchester, Andover, Wokingham to name the most alarming examples - and of course dear old Crawley which once had a bar billiards table in every pub, and three healthy Divisions.
Horsham has suffered mainly by losing a lot of its pubs, the Stout House being the last bastion in the town itself.  Fortunately there are the surrounding villages, many with traditional pubs which still favour our good old game. 8-)  

[iang]

Feb 15, 2011 19:39:05 GMT iang said:

This is what I was interested in to give a picture of how the League has faired over the last 30 years, not very well as we all knew.

In 1980/81 there were 46 teams playing in 3 Divisions with 276 registered players

In 2010/110 there are 12 teams playing in 2 Divisions with 85 registered players

Out of the 85 players in this Seasons teams there are 21 players who were playing in Horsham & District Bar Billiards League in 80/81 :'( :'(

& only 3 people interested enough to discuss it on here :'(

[iang]

I Have updated the list with all known players from 1980/81 from Averages kindly supplied by Tommo.
I have also added the Committee members from that season as well as they deserve a mention ;D

[iang]

Following on this theme another interesting topic is the Mens Singles Winners over the years & how many are still playing either in Horsham or elswhere.



2010-2011      Steve Eely
2009-2010      Dick Cable
2008-2009      Mick Fairs
2007-2008      K. Newman
2006-2007      R.Dewdney
2005-2006      D.Dewdney
2004-2005      T.Trevett
2003-2004      G.Lloyd
2002-2003      P.Gibbs
2001-2002      D.Dewdney
2000-2001      J.Slee
1999-2000      D Cable
1998-1999      G.Lloyd
1997-1998      G.Lloyd
1996-1997      G.Lloyd
1995-1996      C.Thompson
1994-1995      G.Lloyd
1993-1994      P.Gibbs
1992-1993      R.Toye
1991-1992      J.Slee
1990-1991      P.Gibbs
1989-1990      A.franks
1988-1989      G.McCarthy
1987-1988      T.Race
1986-1987      G.McCarthy
1985-1986      T.Race
1984-1985      G.McCarthy
1983-1984      P.Gibbs
1982-1983      T.Franks
1981-1982      S.Eely
1980-1981      W.Phillips

AS you can see there are a suprising amount of current players listed it would be great to assemble them for a group photo on the day.

Well, thankfully all are still living. 8-)
3-times winner Gerry McCarthy lives in the Republic of Ireland, but does visit these realms once in a blue moon. Would be great to see him again, Gerry are you reading this ? ;D

[iang]

Need to see if we can make contact with Trevor Trevett & Bob Toye to see if they can attend.
Will have to check for 1980/81 as I have put down W.Peacock but on the lists from John Slee I have it shows W. Phillips from the Six Bells C

Website information is 100% accurate, Ian:  John Slee's information was copied from my book (when I was Secretary) and I have kept the book up-to-date:

www.horshambarbilliards.co.uk/page15.html

Bill (William) Phillips won it in 80/81.  Harold Peacock won it the year before, in 79/80.

Bob Toye lives in Devon, but you might be able to get hold of Trevor Trevett.

Bill still props the bar up in the Railway every day.  But he hung his cue up a long time ago and is disinclined even to play friendlies these days. Shame as he was a great player. John Harvey, too.

[iang]

It shouldn't be difficult to get hold of Trevor, Bill Phillips may not play any more but could accept an invite to the Roffey Club it would be great to get as many of the past Singles winners together for a photo etc.

If it helps to persuade him along, you can tell Bill that I'll buy his beer for the day. 8-)

[iang]

I could do with a bit of persuading as well ;D ;D

Well, I've just done an analysis of all the 101 teammates I've ever played with on a Tuesday night, and Bill comes out a creditable 27th:

27      Bill Phillips      Six Bells A/Railway      P138      W99      L41      Pts:514,290      Ave:3,727

I've seen him score over a half a million points, and win 71.7% of his games played.
;D ;D ;D

[iang]

I have spoken to Trevor Trevett & he will be coming down on sunday.

my Appolgies to the Ladies & as promised to Ding I have sent her the Ladies Singles winners.
Here's the list for the last 30 Years & it would be great if Ding can gather as many as she can.



2010-2011      Lorraine Hall
2009-2010      Jenny Edwards
2008-2009      Ding Johnson
2007-2008      Lorraine Hall
2006-2007      
2005-2006      
2004-2005      
2003-2004      D Johnson
2002-2003      
2001-2002      D Johnson
2000-2001      Lorraine Hall
1999-2000      D Johnson Blue Ship
1998-1999      Sue loughran
1997-1998      Sue Loughran
1996-1997      Sue Loughran
1995-1996      D Johnson Blue Ship
1994-1995      Sue Loughran Foresters A
1993-1994      Sue Loughran Foresters A
1992-1993      J Munnoch Foresters A
1991-1992      S Green Windmill B
1990-1991      J Merritt Blue Ship
1989-1990      Sue Loughran Foresters B
1988-1989      J Over Eight Bells B
1987-1988      L Turvey Three Bees
1986-1987      J Merritt Horsham YMCA
1985-1986      K Bicknell Five Bells
1984-1985      K Bicknell Five Bells
1983-1984      S Williams Green Dragon
1982-1983      D Cordery Sunallon
1981-1982      S Sampson Five Oaks
1980-1981      L Draper Three Bees