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Extinction
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| chuckles |
Posted on 19-08-2010 23:42
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Home From Home
Posts: 214
Joined: 07.10.07
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I'm sorry to report that due to a lack of players the Imperials, after 20-25 years, will no longer exist after this Summer Season. We will be fulfilling our remaining fixtures and will not be giving anything away. I hope.
Always have a plan 'B'
Even plan 'B' has failed |
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| Rainbow |
Posted on 19-08-2010 23:54
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Quite The Regular
Posts: 161
Joined: 22.06.08
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Let me be the first to say, the League will never be the same again. You know how far back I personally go with the Imps, and can I also be the first to say, 'it was a plesure & honour to be in the same team Martyn'. Feel free to come and play for The Loyalists where you reputation has already proceeded you.
Kindest Regards
Paul Picton
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| chuckles |
Posted on 20-08-2010 23:34
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Home From Home
Posts: 214
Joined: 07.10.07
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Rainbow wrote:
Let me be the first to say, the League will never be the same again. You know how far back I personally go with the Imps, and can I also be the first to say, 'it was a plesure & honour to be in the same team Martyn'. Feel free to come and play for The Loyalists where you reputation has already proceeded you.
Kindest Regards
Paul Picton
Thanks Paul
I'll let you know.......
Always have a plan 'B'
Even plan 'B' has failed |
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| gentlebreeze |
Posted on 21-08-2010 20:39
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Quite The Regular
Posts: 108
Joined: 09.10.07
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Yes i will be sorry to see the end of the Imps to,i have played here now for about 8 or 9 years and had a great time plus got some silver along the way. But i am going to the Loyalists with my old mate Paul so thats good and i am looking forword to that. 
Its better to burn out than fade away |
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| andye |
Posted on 22-08-2010 18:17
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Home From Home
Posts: 394
Joined: 02.10.07
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always a shame to see a well established team dissappear.
the imperials (managed by harry) were the first team to sign me in the croydon league and gave me my first piece of croydon silverware so a big thanks to them for that! |
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| harry |
Posted on 23-08-2010 23:54
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Must Get Out More
Posts: 615
Joined: 02.10.07
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Martyn, is there anything you can do to save the team?
Myself and Dave Albaran started this team many many years ago with Martyn joining us not long after and it would be such a massive shame to see it fold.
Who could forget the "barber shot" as well as many great memories, including us beating the Classic Eagles (the best team in the league a the time) in the KO Cup 
It has had many top quality players over the years (and Gary Swettenham, lol)
It started pretty much the same time as The Prop did and it was such a buzz every year trying to win the divisions against them (OK, they might have won more than us on the way to the 1st Division but it was fun!)
Martyn has done a tremendous job with the team, so I urge any players looking for a decent team to please consider The Imperials
If they are definately going to fold, then this will be a sad sad day for Croydon Pool 
Harry Time! |
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| chuckles |
Posted on 26-08-2010 01:50
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Home From Home
Posts: 214
Joined: 07.10.07
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Thanks Richy, I've tried, but it seems terminal. Don't know what I'll be doing when the season ends. Going to give it a rest for a while, to mourn the passing of the Imps, then who knows....
As for the Barber shot, taken by Nick (The Barber) Bull against Jacko at the Propeller.
Black ball less than an inch off the centre of the top cushion, cue ball in baulk slightly off centre and about 2 inches from the cushion. Nick hit the cue ball, quite hard, and cut the black into the corner pocket to win the game, to Tony's absolute disgust having just played what he thought was a very good safety shot.
Always have a plan 'B'
Even plan 'B' has failed |
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| Faz Da Fisher |
Posted on 26-08-2010 08:25
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Posts: 299
Joined: 08.07.08
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Please add the Eden to the list of teams folding sure well be back in the summer or not as probably just take their status and start afresh been a good few seasons for us but with people moving away, starting families its time this chapter was closed. And a very fitting way would be to win the summer league it's been emotional but I am proud to have played with a great bunch of lads and no one will ever forget
The Eden and it's roar
Edited by Faz Da Fisher on 26-08-2010 08:26
I think I got a bite ... And it's a big one |
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| chuckles |
Posted on 28-08-2010 01:41
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Home From Home
Posts: 214
Joined: 07.10.07
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A winter season with barely 4 Divisions.
A question. How much of this is down to the world rules?
If you go to a pub that has a pool table but is not in the league, they are just not interested in the WR, hence no new blood coming through. I could have signed a couple of players a few weeks ago that would have kept us going, even if we got demoted again, but when I told them about the rules.....
The rest is History, at least the Imps are anyway
Always have a plan 'B'
Even plan 'B' has failed |
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| GrantS |
Posted on 28-08-2010 16:00
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Quite The Regular
Posts: 165
Joined: 18.03.09
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Tragically this is chickens coming home to roost; When I was with Pat Flynn's team he raised as motion not to adopt the world rules which was poo-pood. The reason for objecting was in no small part for the long term possibility of driving away teams, and I posted at the time asking who the league was for - is it the top sides who need and want the full rules, or is it a wider league for 'pub sides' who want a night out. My views, along with Pat's were largely ignored (which is fine), and everything carried on as normal. I have to say I believe I am going to be proven correct in the long run. |
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| Chuckie |
Posted on 28-08-2010 21:53
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Quite The Regular
Posts: 114
Joined: 08.10.07
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It?s more to do with pubs closing down combined with the smoking ban.
When I played for the Harp Rock Bar (my first ever team) all the regulars wanted to represent The Harp Rock Bar, only a selected few were chosen. Opposition must have hated playing us there... But that was our home, our domain. Rest in Peace The Harp Rock Bar.
Today it seems you?re not representing anything other than a meaningless team name. With 20,000 teams all playing out of the same venue, the atmosphere becomes non-existent. That?s why Croydon pool is experiencing a slow and painful death.
Taking my shots looking cool, my self-esteem?s growing tall.
Losing eyes this game is cruel. I do my thing playing pool.
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| GrantS |
Posted on 29-08-2010 00:05
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Quite The Regular
Posts: 165
Joined: 18.03.09
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Chas, yes, that hasn't helped, however smoking ban or not I suggest the rules are a large factor; For example one of our players Dave was with a team called the Posties who I am led to believe found league pool to serious and rule orientated. They folded quickly and Dave has come back to us. |
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| Cue_Ball |
Posted on 29-08-2010 00:08
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Quite The Regular
Posts: 110
Joined: 09.10.07
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I have to say i agree that everyone playing out of Suzys has taken something away from the league. Teams lose the majority of any home advantage, and the atmosphere just isnt the same. Most weeks feel like groundhog day and if Purley Way isnt local for you it's a right pain in the back side. Most people hate trekking to the flying machine, but can you imagine what it's like for them with every 2nd week being an ayway game?
Personally im not getting much satisfaction from playing at the moment, so will be taking the winter off except to play doubles. What i wouldnt give to have the league like it was a few years ago. |
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| GrantS |
Posted on 29-08-2010 17:00
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Quite The Regular
Posts: 165
Joined: 18.03.09
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Definitely Cue_Ball, the rapid decline in venues is sad, I always enjoy going to pubs & clubs that wouldn't normally visit. All the above reasons are contributing to teams folding.
As a thought perhaps some advertising in pubs/clubs/local free papers (before they all disappear) for new teams (apologies if this has been done b4), and maybe offering new teams proper introduction in league protocols and world rules (since they are here to stay) by a qualified ref, may avoid teams trying the league and folding? |
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| the-shark |
Posted on 30-08-2010 17:54
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Home From Home
Posts: 432
Joined: 14.10.07
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i do agree with cue ball that so many teams playing out of suzys is not good for the league and certainly when you realise that most of your away fixtures are over purley it dosent exactly fill you with joy but then you have to ask yourself how many more teams would have folded if they hadnt moved to purley way? with the imps & eden plus no doubt other teams leaving im sure we will see a decline in team numbers on a very regular basis as we have done in previous years. maybe world rules has had an affect but probably closing of pubs and general lack of interest is the biggest cause.
we may need a bigger boat..! |
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| GrantS |
Posted on 30-08-2010 20:43
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Quite The Regular
Posts: 165
Joined: 18.03.09
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Anyone any practical suggestions for reversing the decline (besides ignoring the smoking ban...), outside of my earlier one of targeted advertising coupled with proper intro into rules, etc. (which may have already been tried)?
Attracting new people is one thing, retaining them another if all they want is a fun night out. |
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| andye |
Posted on 31-08-2010 16:21
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Posts: 394
Joined: 02.10.07
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tuesday night for me is about playing pool, having a bit of a night out with your mates and having fun evening
i used to enjoy going to different pubs and having a laugh so having play every night in the same venue (suzys) does get a bit dull
the problem is lack of decent pubs in croydon with a half decent table, hence your choices are limited!
a new pool table only costs ?600 which will be quickly recouped with 10-20 blokes drinking there on a regular basis, trouble is i don't think the pubs realise this!
as for the rules, when ever i go in a strange pub they all have their own different rules anyway, not even like our old rules but stuff like '1 shot on the black' 'only able to hit down the table with ball in hand' so i really don't think that's the issue
in summary; no pub wants to spend money to invest! |
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| Fat-Dart |
Posted on 31-08-2010 19:22
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FORUM ADDICT!
Posts: 1308
Joined: 05.10.07
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I agree with Andy. We can all harp on about the smoking ban and stuff but, when it boils down to it, we're going through a recession so many people simply haven't got the disposable cash to spend travelling to pubs, buying drinks etc and, as a consequence, pubs all across the country have been going out of business. Without a venue and a pool table, the rules are irrelevant. As Andy says, every pub has its own 'local rules' anyway, so people always have to learn new ones when they play socially in different venues on any other night.
So we have: No pub = no pool table = no pool team.
Those pubs that have managed to keep the creditors from the door have tried other methods to rake in the customers. As Andy said, they often won't see a pool table as an investment and will instead go down the 'gastro-pub' route and put seating in any available space in order to serve "haricots sur pain grille" or some other overpriced delight which people equally can't afford to go out and eat, preferring instead to buy a slab of beer from Tesco for next to nothing, then stay indoors and watch the soaps (while having a ciggy, if that's their thing).
Now we have: No customers = no pub = no table = no pool team
Obviously, it's not the same for everyone. Some pubs still realise the true value of their pool tables and some people still have the disposable income, hence we still have a league, albeit somewhat whittled down. |
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| Shaggy |
Posted on 31-08-2010 22:50
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Must Get Out More
Posts: 888
Joined: 02.10.07
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Its a real tough one, to some extent chicken and egg.
Did chains like Rileys kill the pub pool trade, or was the pub trade dying and Rileys picked up the pieces.
Either that or it could actually be the people that are playing the game.
I think we have to remember that we aren't pub pool players. I only use a pub to have a beer, to mix this with pool is immoral! :-) We are people that rarely use our local pub for pool (even when there was tables) and simply use it as a local venue that can facilitate our Tuesday night fix. We demand nice playing conditions, free entry, free this and that and put virtually zero back into the pub.
Having looked at the Pawleyne arms for example, the pool table is always being played on. A bunch of locals hit a few balls around, dont care if the lights are off, the pockets are bad, the cloth is ripped, or the table rolls. If I was running a business and had this group of people or a dozen blokes making demands left right and centre without given anything back I know what I would do, and it wouldn't be to have a pool team.
If anyone owns a pub, you would you prefer to have a home football match on TV, Arsenal, or Man Utd.... Spud will understand this analogy.
Players that consider themselves "serious" pool players go to Rileys, but still demand the world, despite getting tables, cheaper beer, food etc etc.
The bottom line is that pool players are generally a jumped up group of morons who want something for nothing, and when they finally grow up (and this can often be irrespective of age) realise that they either enjoyed it better having a laugh years before, or that they dont want to play anymore.
Most pool leagues are dead and being replaced by singles leagues for predominantly selfish people or nothing. Cuesports are dying, enjoy it why its there.
Edited by Shaggy on 31-08-2010 22:58
House!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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| chuckles |
Posted on 01-09-2010 23:59
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Home From Home
Posts: 214
Joined: 07.10.07
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GrantS wrote:
When I was with Pat Flynn's team he raised as motion not to adopt the world rules which was poo-pood. The reason for objecting was in no small part for the long-term possibility of driving away teams,
I was at that meeting and Pat spoke at length about why we shouldn't adopt WR.
After consulting with my team we decided to vote against it also.
Chuckie wrote:
It?s more to do with pubs closing down combined with the smoking ban.
The stats say that only 26% of people smoke in England now. As half of those are women and there are few women in the league that make appx 13% of the population. How can that few people be responsible for the decline of the league?
Chuckie wrote:
Today it seems you?re not representing anything other than a meaningless team name. With 20,000 teams all playing out of the same venue, the atmosphere becomes non-existent. That?s why Croydon pool is experiencing a slow and painful death.
Rileys Purley way is one of the positives for the league, yes I would say that as my team originated from there in the early 90?s and have watched it decline and then grow thanks mainly to the efforts of Hannah. Unfortunately the position of it doesn?t lend it self to easy access, but otherwise you couldn?t ask for a better venue.
Fat-Dart wrote:
As Andy says, every pub has its own 'local rules' anyway, so people always have to learn new ones when they play socially in different venues on any other night.
Most people playing pool, outside the league, play at their local and don?t travel between pubs, so getting used to other rules, in the whole is not a problem. As for the likes of league players I would expect the to know most of the different rules that are out there as we have played most of them in the league over the years.
Shaggy wrote:
Players that consider themselves "serious" pool players go to Rileys, but still demand the world, despite getting tables, cheaper beer, food etc etc.
The bottom line is that pool players are generally a jumped up group of morons who want something for nothing, and when they finally grow up (and this can often be irrespective of age) realise that they either enjoyed it better having a laugh years before, or that they don?t want to play anymore.
Most pool leagues are dead and being replaced by singles leagues for predominantly selfish people or nothing. Cue sports are dying, enjoy it why its there.
Although I agree with a lot of what you say Shaggy, it?s a rather cynical look at things. For me personally I still go out to have a laugh, a few, or some would say a lot of beers, and try and enjoy myself. Or at least I did?.
Always have a plan 'B'
Even plan 'B' has failed |
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