Continuing with our Grimsby Snooker League centenary celebrations, Dave Webster and Mick Chew look at some of the people who have had a big impact on the league over the years...
WE start with Roy Ling, whose involvement spans 50 years, during which time he has donated trophies, been league chairman and, for the last ten years, the main sponsor.
He won his own trophy twice, the first time in 1980 with Brian Blyth, and ten years later with new playing partner Ian Singleton.
The Veterans Knock-out also proved to be a success for Roy as he beat Butch Reynolds 2-0 in the 2002 final.
Our next featured star, Steve Trott, followed a similar path to Roy in as much as he was also chairman and persuaded his boss at Pelham Motors to sponsor the league. He also provided two trophies for the Veterans Knock-out.
Another feather in his cap saw Steve referee many of the professionals who played in Grimsby, but we suspect his proudest moment came in 1980 when he won the Baskcombe Cup Sweepstake.
Another unsung hero is Ivan Harvey, and while Ivan is a very good player in his own right, he is best known for spending hours coaching the area's youngsters. The best two players to progress from his academy are Stuart Carrington and Ashley Wright, but there are also many others who have benefited from his dedication.
A 'character' would perhaps be the best description for the lovable Robin Wilkinson who, while not destined to be among the best of players, more than made up for that with his irrepressible enthusiasm for the game.
During the snooker season, you will find Robin at the Ray Edmonds Snooker Centre, refereeing for one of the home teams.
When Grimsby snooker was being monopolized by Ray Edmonds, Sid Hood and Ron Barnes, their dominance was finally broken by the sheer brilliance of Tony Graham.
Always an exciting player to watch, Tony won the Senior Billiards Championship four times and the Senior Snooker twice. He won the double in 1981 and 1983.
Every so often, someone comes along and raises the bar in our wonderful sport. That someone was Kevin Ashby, who won the Grimsby Senior Snooker Championship six times in succession.
No-one has come near to equalling that fantastic achievement, and the possibility of it being repeated in the future is very unlikely.
More recently, the bar was raised again by Jamie Green, who made a 100-plus break in four consecutive Premier League matches – will that ever be beaten?
Just for good measure, Jamie holds the record of ten wins in the Senior Billiards Knock-out, and has set a very high standard in that competition, winning it nine times in a row, which is another league record.
A player perhaps better known for his carpentry skills and repair work on cues is Gerry Howes; a true gentleman of our sport.
Famous stars that have turned to Gerry for help include Mike Hallett, Dean Reynolds and Skegness professional Graham Cripsy.
Gerry first started playing for Electricity both in the Doubles Snooker League, and in the Billiards League, with the highlight being when he once beat Tony Graham in a match.
He then moved to the Birds Eye Club, where he is still playing singles now, and recalls when he and the late Keith Pulford won the Birds Eye Pairs Knock-out before going on to later reach the semi- finals of the Grimsby Pairs.
Ray Hammond is probably the longest serving captain in the history of the Grimsby League. Ray spent his first three years playing at the old Exchange Club, before moving to the Hainton Club.
His dedication to that club can be measured by the fact that he has been captain of the same team for close to four decades.
Over the years, the league has seen some outstanding performances from people with some form of disability.
Nigel Cotton, who had to play one-handed as a result of a motorcycle accident, won the Baskcombe Cup in 1987.
We would also like to acknowledge Blake Munton, Chris Brown, Ben Searby, Terry Lloyd, Bob Woodhouse and Jim Gray.
They always give 100 per cent and, more importantly, play with a smile on their faces.
One of the oldest players in the league is Ray Charlton, who still plays in the Singles League, the Billiards League and, for good measure, still enters all of the billiards knock-out competitions.
We could, and probably should, mention more people but it was always going to be hard, considering the achievements of players and officials who have helped our League to reach its centenary season – a truly wonderful achievement.
