Stalybridge Snooker League

The Stalybridge and District Sunday Schools Billiards Snooker And Whist League [Stalybridge Snooker League] started in 1910 and the games played were only billiards and whist, which were thought to be appropriate for Young Men’s Societies. Snooker became popular in the 1970s so the league added this extra dimension and changed its name to incorporate the new format.



The current league management has a President, Chairman, League Secretary, Handicap Secretary and Webmaster/Press Secretary. The forum also includes 1 member from each team [normally the captain or vice captain]. We have regular monthly management meetings throughout the season and the season starts with our AGM.

The current venues include social clubs in Ashton, Stalybridge and Mossley along with a snooker club in Stalybridge - a situation which is completely different from the original church rooms when the league started.

The League roll of honour for season 2007 /2008 shows Sportsman SV as snooker /billiards league champions and St Georges B as whist league champions. Mossley B won the knockout card cup and Mossley A won the knockout snooker / billiards competition. Complete details of these and the other individual trophy winners are on our main website, along with photographs from our presentation night.

Because of the league origins, there are many interesting facts about the league which can be seen on the website but perhaps the most talked about are:

1/ We always used to serve refreshments during our matches and one player [Jack Bredbury] was famous for making a full urn of tea for every match.
2/ In one particular venue the match would be stopped between 9.30 and 10.00 for prayers to be said by the local priest.

With regard to our league competitions as well as the normal league and knockout competitions we have two special trophies, The Sportsmanship Award and The George Fletcher Memorial Trophy [this is named after one of our late members]. The George Fletcher Cup is our equivalent of the charity shield at football and the Sportsmanship Award is given for general attitude to the game and the league members.
The league has been going for almost 100 years and is looking to continue well past this landmark.

Snooker 2008 World Championship Table!

I'm so excited I think a bit of wee came out!

The actual snooker table used in the 2008 Snooker World Championship at the Crucible is up for sale. This table is signed by the two finalists, Stephen Maguire and the Rocket himself, Ronnie O'Sullivan.



Look there it is sneaking into the bottom of the photo! And that's just a teaser of how awesome it will look in the flesh...

For more information click here now - and you will touching the cloth (so to speak) that has graced the hands of champions!

This Time Next Year Rodney...

The World Snooker Championships got me thinking - when I make my millions and live in a huge mansion, and have a butler to bring me tea in the morning, this is the snooker table that will grace my games room:

Riley Aristocrat Tournament Champion Snooker Table


This is the daddy of snooker tables, whose playing surface has been graced by the likes of Ronnie O'Sullivan, Peter Ebdon, Jimmy White, Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis and many many more.

It's made from solid mahogany, with a 5 piece slate bed. The cushions are made from Northern rubber, mounted onto a steel block to provide the best response. The table is standardly covered with West of England 100% wool (tournament weight) and the table comes with a full set of matching cues/accessories, and a set of Aramith tournament champion snooker balls.

You literally couldn't wish for a better table, and they are still used in all major snooker tournaments and opens across the world.

Should be lucky enough to have the room for one, have a clickyclicky here!

Or you can have an equally impressive Oak version with matching accessories.

You also get the pleasure of a pro installation by Riley's very own fitters, so the only excuse you've got for missing the pocket is not enough practice...