By Elliott West
“They were real good days. For these top players, it was always for the money, even in Potters. It was a late-night snooker den where all the players used to come for a late-night Friday gamble”.
John Spencer
Introduction
After a long absence, snooker has returned to Manchester with the World Mixed Doubles and the Johnstone’s Paint Tour Championship being held at the historic Manchester Central venue, the site of the city’s former railway station. So it only fitting with this news to celebrate the wealth of snooker history that this city has created over the years. You only have to travel to some of the memorable locations a stone’s throw away to appreciate this snooker nostalgia.
The Mancunian Effect
Walking down the streets of Salford takes you back to a time when John Virgo, John Spencer and Alex Higgins all played here over 50 years ago. Swinton Pool Hall and Potters in Lower Broughton may have long gone, Potters now being the local McDonald’s. Players used to flock to these clubs and they were a hive for money games. Gambling was rife, a gambling den where they came for a late-night Friday gamble. Gambling was a must for the few professionals that existed at the time. John Virgo used a tactic of only taking the yellow and letting his opponent take every other colour. It was his way of making money and he was excellent at it, he would always win.
Peter Devlin, Josh Thomond and Kayden Brierley all hail from Salford and the late John Spencer had a snooker club here. In Manchester itself, the 1952 World Championship was staged at Houldsworth Hall. A tournament that only had two entrants, the Australian Horace Lindrum and the New Zealander Clark McConachy. This was due to a dispute between the Professional Billiards Players’ Association and the Billiards Association and Control Council. The BACC thought the championship was primarily about honour, and financial consideration should come second, whilst the PBPA disagreed. As a result, most players withdrew from the event. A tournament that was won by Horace Lindrum after beating Clark McConachy 94-49 over 145 frames. Lindrum became the first overseas player to gain the title. The World Championship final was also played at the City Exhibition Hall in 1973 where Ray Reardon defeated Eddie Charlton 38-32.
Hazel Grove
Opened in 1985, Hazel Grove Snooker Club in Stockport is a family-run business. Alex Higgins, Stephen Hendry, Judd Trump, Jimmy White, Dennis Taylor and Ken Doherty have all been here. A club frequented by players from Manchester United and Manchester City, soap stars, boxers, cricket players and other sporting champions. A club that is welcoming and has a vibrant atmosphere. Spanning over 14,000 square feet, this former factory has 34 tables of snooker and pool with 26 full-size snooker tables, 5 full-size American pool tables 3 English pool tables, a bar, kitchen and lounge area as well as a large free car park.
With thousands of paying members, the club has also purchased two new Winner Supreme 8 ball tables with a plan to maximise its pool plan shortly. A game that is ideal for a cheap night out. They also want to redevelop their old toilet block and upgrade their snooker tables with new LED lighting. Manchester also has a wealth of snooker clubs including the Steven Charles Snooker Centre, Rainbow Snooker Club, Savanna Pool & Snooker and the Carlton Social Club.
