06/09/2026
ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO AN END… BUT HOPEFULLY ONLY FOR NOW ❤️🎱
I’m not really sure where to start with this one.
Last night brought our Summer League to an end, and what a night — and what a summer — it has been.
We kicked the night off with an absolute cracker, with West B just getting over the line against the Bombscares, the match clock running out at 7–6. You couldn't have written a better finish.
Then came our Player of the League Play-Off, featuring the top 16 players from the standings over the last 12 weeks.
Thomas Braniff went into it as the No. 1 seed and proved exactly why, going on to win the whole thing. What a fantastic achievement from one of our very own. We couldn't be prouder of you, Thomas. 👏🎱
Our overall Summer League Champions were none other than the famous local team The Hut.
The Hut is made up of the Gorman cue-sports family, with Big Bill, Dan and Jordon all playing their part throughout the league. Anyone involved in local cue sports will know the Gorman name, so it was fitting to see them lift the title.
Our very own Rockets finished runners-up, missing out by just two bonus points. Two points after an entire summer of pool — that's how close it was!
Congratulations to everyone who played, and thank you for making the league what it was.
What a summer we had. ❤️
And maybe that's why the next part is so difficult to write.
As we announced last night, sadly the club in its current form is simply no longer financially sustainable.
From the very beginning, I said this club was never about making money for me.
I wanted to build something.
I wanted somewhere that could become a proper hub for pool — somewhere players could practise, leagues could play, organisations could hold events, youngsters could develop, tournaments could be hosted and people who simply loved cue sports could walk through the door and feel at home.
Looking back at everything we've done, I genuinely believe we achieved that.
We've been involved in some fantastic leagues, hosted ranking tournaments, trial days and countless other events. We've seen some unbelievable pool played inside those four walls, but more importantly, we've seen friendships made, laughs had and memories created.
Along the way, I've personally put over £10,000 into sponsorship, supporting everyone from the world No. 1 right down to local league players.
We've supported international teams, county teams, Next Gen, local leagues and even a darts league.
Do I regret any of that?
Not for one second.
Seeing people getting opportunities, seeing players competing, seeing teams wearing shirts we'd helped with and seeing people enjoying themselves in the club made it worthwhile.
But unfortunately, passion doesn't always pay the bills.
Eventually I have to put my business hat on instead of my good-doer hat. I have a responsibility to my staff, my other businesses and my family, and I can't continue personally covering the losses.
So I've made the difficult decision to move my staff into other roles within my other businesses.
That doesn't mean we're locking the doors and walking away from everything we've built.
For the next few months, while we deal with some legal matters surrounding the lease, the club will remain available for practice to the members who have supported us.
Just contact me and I'll arrange access. There will simply be a donation box to help towards the costs of keeping things going.
But there's one thing I really want everyone to understand…
THIS ISN'T THE END.
Maybe it's the end of this particular building.
Maybe it's the end of this chapter.
But it's not the end of what we started.
As one door closes, another one opens — and I'm already actively looking for a bigger and better venue where hopefully we can take everything we've learned and build something even better.
Anyone who knows me knows I'm not very good at giving up. 😂
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There are also a few people I simply couldn't finish this post without thanking.
Firstly, Joe, Seamy and Martin.
The work these lads have put in behind the scenes will probably never be fully appreciated by everyone who walked through the doors. They've worked tirelessly to give people a great service and keep everything running.
Thank you, lads. I genuinely mean that. ❤️
To every member who supported us — whether you were there every week, practised in the club, played league matches, entered tournaments, bought a drink or simply called in for a chat — thank you.
You were the reason we did it.
A very special thank you has to go to Pearse Sharratt, who went far beyond what anyone could have expected in helping with leagues, tournaments and the general running of things.
Pearse, your help and support meant more than you probably realise.
And another massive thank you to Jody, Nolies and Kevin from the West Club.
You lads weren't just supporters of the club. You became advisers, sounding boards and, most importantly, very good friends.
I genuinely don't think there was a week went past when the lads weren't through the doors.
That's probably the biggest thing I'll take away from this whole journey.
Pool brought people through the door, but the friendships are what made the place special.
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I don't particularly like negativity, especially in a post like this, but I'd be lying if I said I hadn't heard some of the rumours and Chinese whispers going around.
People will always talk.
That's life.
But the people who actually know me will know something about me…
When I set my mind on something, I don't stop until I get it.
So don't confuse us closing this chapter with me giving up.
Far from it. 😉
Keep your eyes peeled, because hopefully there is plenty more to come.
But before we eventually say goodbye to this place properly…
WE'RE HAVING ONE LAST HURRAH! 🍻🎱❤️
Every member will be invited back for one final night together.
There'll be entertainment, plenty of laughs, free drink, stories from the last few years and, who knows…
We might even get around to playing a game of pool. 😂🎱
For all the stress, all the long days, all the money, all the headaches and everything else that came with running the place…
I'd do it all again.
Because when I look back, I won't remember the bills.
I'll remember the people.
I'll remember the big matches, the tournaments, the laughs, the characters, the friendships and the nights when the club was absolutely buzzing.
To everyone who played even a small part in our journey:
Thank you. Genuinely. ❤️
It's been some journey.
It's been one hell of a summer.
And hopefully…
this isn't goodbye.
It's just… see you in the next one. 🎱❤️
Watch this space. 👀
