FROM THE CHAIRMAN
On behalf of Dave, Chris and myself may I take this opportunity to welcome you all back to another competitive snooker season .
As you where all aware last seasons A.G.M. brought about some changes at both committee and league structures to which I can honestly say proved very beneficial to us not only at management level but also at the way we tried to improve the way our league format was run. Having previously lost our secretary due to work commitments added to which our previous treasurer also resigning in similar circumstances we found ourselves a little depleted in official departments. HOWEVER we found ourselves in a very fortunate position that we where able to find a replacement who was able to take on the capacity on a dual role.
From a league point of view it was decided that we should try to play more competitive snooker and eliminate all possible open dates (apart from the usual seasonal ones) with this in mind we then set about a format of extending the league to 27 games over three sessions which was welcomed by all clubs and has proved to be a huge success.
On the baize(as they say) last season was a roller coaster ride (as far as Huyton Cons where concerned ) Huyton seemed to be well in the lead to take the trophy away from previuos winners St Teresa's by christmas with something like a margin of 12 points only to have a slight wobble in the latter part giving some hope to St Teresa's and Moss Bank to push them all the way with moss bank finishing runners up. Division 2 saw favourites Scala held on to there determination to secure top spot after an absence of two or three seasons but they where pushed all the way to the final weeks by Lowe House and Broad Oak ( the latter who one after a play off to secure runners up) .
Relegation also had another twist in division 1 with a three way play of between Eccleston Social, East sutton Town and rivals East Sutton Labour to see who would join Birchley St Mary's. Once again East sutton town survived with East Sutton labour being relegated(the last time being season 2002 03 season when they came straight back up) .
This season sees yet another new name on the champion of champions trophy which is contested by new Division 1 winners Huyton and 2nd division winners Scala (venue to be decided) Regards to the other annual trophy the inter league challenge, sadly we lost our grip on the trophy to our Wednesday counterpart. (but we will get it back this season)
Presentation Night was a huge success and we could of sold more tickets added to that our guest for the evening Ian Mc Culloch was undoubtedlly well worth the admission fee. We as a league where also privaliged to be able to announce that our sponsors HATTONS SOLICITORS have once again kindly agreed to continue thier sponsorship for the 2001/ 12 season and we thank them for there support. Special congratulations go to Andrew Pennington (East Sutton Labour ) for not just achieving the division 1 break award but for making it a special one (103)
Finally congratulations to all last seasons prize winners and hope season 2011 / 12 is just as successfull on the tables as it is from a management point of view.
Enjoy Your Season
Ste Burrows (Chairman)