History

Leighton Buzzard is a small market town situated in the county of Bedfordshire, England, approximately 40 miles north of London.

The present Leighton Buzzard and District Pool League was formed during late Summer 1997-98. There had been no league pool in the town for some time, the previous Winter's league having collapsed with no money or winner's trophies and much bad feeling. Sean Boyle, the then Landlord of the Ashwell Arms and two of his regulars, Jeff Abblett and John Pearce, decided to start the present league. Sean canvassed most of the other licensees in the town and Jeff and John set about arranging the rules and fixture lists.

One of the most important decisions made was that the league was to be a friendly league, to try to overcome the ill-feeling still prevalent in the Leighton area. An open meeting for all interested parties was called and the proposed structure was announced. All comments and suggestions were taken on board, many of which were incorporated into the league structure. The league has very few rules, excepting the table (game) rules. A laminated A3 copy of the table rules is issued to all participating pubs / clubs for display adjacent to the pool table(s). The format is English pool, with two groups of 7 different coloured (or spotted & striped) balls plus the 8-ball (black).

The most problems in previous leagues were due to a couple of contentious table rules and the tendency of some teams to field "ringers" (non-registered players). John contacted the British Pool Federation and was able to write and issue approved amended table rules, with one of the disliked clauses removed completely and the other rewritten to overcome the chief objection. The problem of "ringers" was addressed by removing all player registrations, allowing teams to field anybody they chose. This was by far the most radical change in league pool locally or nationally and very many persons predicted that it would never work. In the event it has worked perfectly - to date there have been no reported fights or similar unpleasantness.

To discourage players changing teams during the season, a separate Player's League table is kept, logging individual player performances throughout the season. Trophies and certificates are presented to the top players in each division, with a free singles knockout competition at the end of each season for the 32 most consistent players across all divisions. This knockout competition is a real hoot, being played to a finish during one night at Shooters Snooker Club where they have 6 tables. Sudden death in the early games with the semi-finals and final playing the best of 3. Players moving to other teams forfeit any points they have accrued for their previous team unless the move has been due to matters beyond their control, i.e. the closure of the pub / club.

The league is open to all pubs and clubs in Leighton Buzzard / Linslade and the surrounding villages. We presently have teams from Wing, Wingrave, Stoke Hammond, Heath and Reach, Eaton Bray and Totternhoe. The league is constantly changing in small ways - the result cards now being printed on postcards, to allow village teams to post their results to us. At the end of every season we hold an open meeting where all teams can attend to suggest improvements or ratify / reject proposed rule changes.

John Pearce retired as Secretary at the end of the Summer season 2002 through ill health. He had run the League for 10 seasons. A new committee took over and the League continues to be run from The Ashwell Arms.