Tourneys
Topic: Manchester

If there is one thing this thread demonstrates it is that a UK 9 ball tour is very important to many people. Both sides of the argument (get behind the tour OR it is too far / expensive / centralised) demonstrate this. Other than the BPPPA at the moment there is no other alternative. Yes there are other tournament series (e.g. Mickey Flynn's and the EPT) but the former does not attract a national variety of field that the BPPPA does and the EPT is an 8 ball tour. Also for many of us the Euro Tour is simply not a viable alternative to playing on the BPPPA as seems to have been suggested by some posters, due to the additional time off work it requires.

So yes there are problems with the BPPPA, many of which still need to be addressed, but at the moment it is still very important to me - so I'll be there this weekend and for the remainder.

For me, and I have said this a few times before, the one most important thing that the BPPPA (read Ted) needs to do is make things totally transparent and improve lines of communication. If this a non-profit organisation and it truly is our (the players) association then we should receive a breakdown of where our membership fees and other BPPPA funding streams (come from and) go to. Should this change be made a lot of the conjecture will cease overnight and I believe Ted will strengthen his position as well.

I suppose we'll see at the weekend.

Regards,

RT

P.S. the childish bickering in this thread from all who have participated is not constructive and detracts from the important issues at hand.

On 2006-11-16 14:23 , Pool-Ace Wrote:

Pool-ace.

EXACTLY.

But not "Disappointed"

"ABSOLUTELY GUTTED"

is more like it.

I just can't do it!

P.S. read my very first post.
I'm hurtin'.


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I know this thread has finished, but after reading Danny's "if your family cant eat then sleep in your car" post, I felt compelled to reply, having almost wet myself laughing. Pure comedy gold.

What the the devils playground are you talking about?! It will be December soon i.e winter - how on earth is sleeping in your car a viable option, even in warmer months? How ludicrous is that?

Then I read that you dont even play or put ANY of your cash into the tour....and you live in.....MANCHESTER. What example are you? You have no right whatsoever to preach to people about supporting the tour - lets be honest you have no idea what kind of expenses people incur to do this tour at all. People cannot spend 100% of their disposable income on pool - there are other things in life besides pool.

Again - you raise the point about working extra hours "if its your passion". Well how about this....already working 55hours per week as it is.

If the continuation of the tour is so important to Ted, then surely some of the "membership fees" can go towards him travelling to a club other then one on his doorstep.

Again - do people honestly believe only ONE club in the UK will do a BPPPA tour stop? Quite frankly, I find that suggestion rather insulting.

Anyway....if anyone is going to Manchester next month, they can have my boot for £5. I'll even chuck in a blanket for you!! ha ha.

hey Danny - here's an idea I'll buy a roof rack & strap a mattress to the top & just sleep outside Rileys.

well its nearly the weekend and that means Nottingham, hopefully we will be having a healthy discusion on this subject with Ted to see whats gonna happen.
Tricky situation though with the memberships having to be paid by this event!


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Some of you mentioned the withdraw of sponsorship of Rileys. From what I have heard Rileys is being brought out and will change name.... Maybe that is the reason why they are not sponsoring the tour?

Simsman2 thats very intresting gossip - lets hope the new owners are keen to help the BPPPA.

Buyouts, takeovers - it's a cut-throat business this pool lark.

Bedford Rascal + Matress + Duvet.

I understand fully the cost involved to play on the tour. And how about the people who put in 80hour weeks so they can play on the tour.

And I agree, only one club agreeing to hold a tour stop is hard to believe. But please remember, there are three dates all TBA, they could all be at different venues.

Who exactly are they being bought by then? They have a monopoly pretty much on pool clubs in the UK so it doesnt make much sense to me....

The buyer would have to be either from a completely different line of business or perhaps from abroad. They have no real competition in this country at all.

Riley's seemed quite accommodating to Dazzler when he wanted improvements for Solihull not that ago....Very strange indeed how all of a sudden they dont support the BPPPA any more.

Out of interest. Did the EPT sponsors fund a percentage of the costs to have them improvements carried out?

The millionaire chap that owns rileys (and megabowl) is renowned for only holding on to business' for 5 years max before he sells up and tries something different. I think its a bit of a game for him!

Although simsman2 is the first person i have heard this rumour from i can confirm that rileys have been under their current ownership for 4.5 years. So maybe there is some truth in this. Ever thought about workin for the news of the world joe!

At the moment the EPT is funded by Mark Segal (UK sports management) and Myself...we are a partnership, we dont have any cash sponsorship in place at the moment although we are in talks with several potential sponsors.

The first 3 events have cost us over £8,000 to hold in total....but this is not a problem as we have a long term plan that will see pool reach another level in the UK. But remember, Rome wasnt built in a day!

Rileys were totally in charge of the reclothing of the tables at Solihull...as they wanted the EPT's business.


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Just as I thought Dazzler - Riley's were happy to help you. Are you able to say if Riley's are still supporting any future EPT events at this moment in time?

well i can say that they will be....only this morning did i speak to one person from Rileys who wants us to hold an event at a certain "new" Rileys club....this is looking like it is gonna be our first stop, more details coming soon!

Also may i add that the main reason for the £8,000 loss was because we "guarantee our prize money"


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Good for you. Judging by whats happened at your events so far its been a huge success & you are delivering on your promises to players. I am sure most UK players are behind you 110% because your communication is always honest & upfront.

Well Rocky i hope so, coz thats the way i am.
I try and say it how it is , you know....and Mark is the same, if it aint gonna happen then i wont say it....if it is gonna happen then i will say it, its as simple as that.


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