tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29605452.post8495962736555513996..comments2024-02-03T12:04:16.336+00:00Comments on SNOOKER SCENE BLOG: END OF AN ERADave Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08037719321756898982noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29605452.post-72775517218361348292012-10-16T19:07:30.865+01:002012-10-16T19:07:30.865+01:00http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/save-willie-...http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/save-willie-thornes-snooker-centre-in-loving-memory-of-malcolm-thorneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29605452.post-22662147200864942212012-10-06T11:35:13.265+01:002012-10-06T11:35:13.265+01:00Alot of people have alot to thank Malcolm Thorne f...Alot of people have alot to thank Malcolm Thorne for. R.I.P.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29605452.post-88839015624395106732012-10-04T19:28:02.275+01:002012-10-04T19:28:02.275+01:00It's very sad to hear of the demise of the ico...It's very sad to hear of the demise of the iconic Willie Thorne Snooker Centre. It seems that snooker in the UK is suffering from "death by a thousand cuts". <br />I wonder if Barry Hearn or Jason Ferguson have any initiatives in place to revive the game in this country? Or is it already too late?<br />Personally I don't think it is too late and if you don't have a go you'll never know.Raynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29605452.post-60883136019128144112012-10-04T17:37:07.622+01:002012-10-04T17:37:07.622+01:00whats a myriad janie?whats a myriad janie?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29605452.post-29252812030346383762012-10-04T03:26:47.226+01:002012-10-04T03:26:47.226+01:00Lady players playing at Willie's, what's t...Lady players playing at Willie's, what's the betting they got shafted..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29605452.post-14042446077631886872012-10-03T20:29:41.433+01:002012-10-03T20:29:41.433+01:00It was sad that a chain like Rileys took over a gr...It was sad that a chain like Rileys took over a great independent club like Willie Thorne's in the first place.<br /><br />As well as the juniors, the club held a myriad of pro-ams and in the mid 80s-90s a lot of World Ladies Ranking events as well.<br /><br />So my particular tribute is on behalf of all the Lady players who were encouraged and given great playing opportunities at Willie's<br />And we can't let the era past without also a word for Nancy (Willie's mum) and her legendary Sunner Dinners.<br /><br />The catering at the club was always excellent too.<br /><br />I remember Willie telling me once that as much square footage was devoted to social activities at the club, as was given to the snooker tables. They had darts, cribbage etc, all the things you'd get in your local pub.<br /><br />It is the passing of an era and a very sad passing too.<br /><br />Thank you Willie, Nancy, Malc and Roger for everything you did for snooker and for all of us for many many years.<br />Janie Watkinsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29605452.post-35292860101205458302012-10-03T17:03:58.337+01:002012-10-03T17:03:58.337+01:00in the 80s Snooker was what X Factor and reality s...in the 80s Snooker was what X Factor and reality shows are today.<br /><br />so instead of Dreaming to be a Snooker Player Kids want to grow up to be a Singer or Just lounge about on TV while people vote them out.<br /><br />Trend of the times in Britain.wildnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29605452.post-20941059848516798812012-10-03T17:03:23.284+01:002012-10-03T17:03:23.284+01:00If you read the BBC press release it confirms that...If you read the BBC press release it confirms that "content previously on red button will be available on BBC Online" so you will still get a choice of 2 tables, depending where you live.<br /><br />I have mentioned this change to the Red Button on this forum many times before - it is part of the cost cutting package agreed between the BBC and the Government. Anyone could have protested during the consultation stage - maybe I was the only one who did.<br /><br />What I would like to see on BBC TV as well as the 3+1 tournaments are a Friday - Sunday PTC, snookers 20:20.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29605452.post-38061689449296023392012-10-03T15:42:53.060+01:002012-10-03T15:42:53.060+01:00I loved playing at Willie Thorne's when I was ...I loved playing at Willie Thorne's when I was at university in Leicester. Huge, cavernous club, with 20+ really good quality tables and a lot of good players. I wasn't one of them mind....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29605452.post-22035735383763356262012-10-03T15:12:01.581+01:002012-10-03T15:12:01.581+01:00Rileys have been looking to sell Willie Thorne'...Rileys have been looking to sell Willie Thorne's for quite a number of years as it was one of the worst performing clubs in terms of revenue in its portfolio. As a rough guide, the club was operating on a turnover of circa £100k per annum including wet sales, memberships, food and so on. When a huge portion of that goes on salaries it doesn't leave much for the rent, utilities and table maintenance. <br /><br />I wonder what would have happened if someone had bought WT's from Rileys and then the new owners evicted ? <br /><br />Still, there won't be many tears for WT's at Rileys HQ. I do wonder whether their obvious incompetence in not signing a lease for the building in the last 14 years wasn't deliberate as it gave them the perfect get out with little PR damage..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29605452.post-38204617304772876372012-10-03T14:57:46.607+01:002012-10-03T14:57:46.607+01:00I'm a huge Moroccan snooker fan, and I really ...I'm a huge Moroccan snooker fan, and I really enjoyed this article. The comment about China being the new "home" of Snooker is acurate as well. But you can't deny that they need to improve. Every time there is a tournament in China, there's so much to complain about, not only from viewers, but more importantly from players (mobile phones going off, climate issues,etc...)<br /><br />Not to distance myself from the subject, but Morocco can be a successful market for snooker as well. I mean our clubs are certainly not empty. There is a great passion amongst youngsters here for this sport. If only Barry Hearn could try to shake things up in North Africa in general, and Morocco in particular.MSFnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29605452.post-23038784913698320232012-10-03T14:39:48.227+01:002012-10-03T14:39:48.227+01:00I'd be worried, to be honest and I actually do...I'd be worried, to be honest and I actually don't want snooker to be China based completely! Said it before but Hearn needs help, will take more than Fishomania boy to re energise the game. That said, not impossible either. NewsfoxSporthttp://www.newsfoxsatire.com/category/sport/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29605452.post-37005862604342721312012-10-03T14:34:56.734+01:002012-10-03T14:34:56.734+01:00It is a sad when you hear of great Snooker clubs c...It is a sad when you hear of great Snooker clubs closing.<br /><br />You are right Dave when you say “Snooker clubs are not just about snooker but are social hubs. Many enjoyed going in for a chat and a smoke and a drink and, maybe, a few frames as well.” I myself worked in Brondesbury Snooker club myself, which was in Kilburn & nearly half of the 400 members didn’t play Snooker. Well, certainly not when they were sober.<br /><br />Another great iconic club which has also closed, a few years ago now, was Ron Gross Snooker Club in Neasden NW London. There wasn’t many Snooker clubs I walked in to without my cue, but this was certainly one of them.<br /><br />As said, it is a sad day when you hear of great, great Snooker clubs closing.John McBridehttp://twitter.com/JohnMcBrideIREnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29605452.post-47061229044546569112012-10-03T13:52:25.667+01:002012-10-03T13:52:25.667+01:00sad news / great bloggingsad news / great bloggingAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29605452.post-56089040445883401812012-10-03T13:22:10.957+01:002012-10-03T13:22:10.957+01:00I wouldn't be too concerned. The game has leve...I wouldn't be too concerned. The game has levelled off in the UK but is huge in China and Germany.<br /><br />In time, it will become huge in other countries, and as a world circuit evolves, the 2 or 3 tournaments in the UK will be bigger and better.<br /><br />Who knows, maybe it will go full circle and take off again in a few years.kildare cuemannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29605452.post-86175711341328757592012-10-03T12:51:55.546+01:002012-10-03T12:51:55.546+01:00The decision by the BBC won't worry Hearn beca...The decision by the BBC won't worry Hearn because China will be the next country to host it because THAT is where the money is. Can't see the Crucible contract being renewed when it becomes due for re-negotiation!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com