It is with much sadness that we inform you of the death on Wednesday morning after a short illness of Brian Willey, Captain of the Prince of Wales B team, Treasurer of the League for several years, and, more recently, also the Vice-Captain of our League's team in the GLCPA Interleague. 

Brian had been involved in the League as far back as I remember, which is some 25 years. I recall that, when I first met him, he was involved in the team that played at the Prince Regent in Dulwich Road and, when they got rid of their pool table, he switched to the Tulse Hill Tavern. When the Tulse closed he switched to play for the Smeta Club, the team now known as Smeta All Starz, and then finally switched again to join the team that is now Prince of Wales B.

He had played a big part in our League and will be sorely missed. 

We send our sincerest condolences to Brian's family and friends. At the behest of the Chairman, this evening's Officers and captains meeting was postponed by two weeks and, on the suggestion of the President, all Captains are being asked to hold a minute's silence in Brian's memory at their matches on Monday 14th April.

As always, details of Brian's funeral will be circulated when we know them. RIP Brian.

Simon Hooberman

League Secretary

This season we have 11 teams and are reverting to a similar structure to the one we used with 11 teams in 2023. The season commences this coming Monday evening, 3rd February, as always with the Captains Cup, and all the paperwork for the season is ready and will be issued on the night.

An e-mail was sent a few days ago to Captains and Vice-Captains about the Captains Cup competition. This year it is being held at Smeta Club, 10 St. Matthew's Road, SW2 1NH. Normally, it would have been held at Horns Tavern, as the home venue of last year's winner Chris Owens, but the Horns is under new management and is closed temporarily for refurbishment. It's due to open later on next week but too late for the competition so we gave Chris the choice of alternative venue this year as a one-off change to our regular pattern.

League matches commence the following Monday, 10th February. Given that we have 11 teams, there will be one team each week that does not have a match - and in the fixture list we describe that as Void. Here, for information, is a list of the opening match week's fixtures to be played on 10th February (home teams first);

Duke of Edinburgh v Void

Hand in Hand v Prince of Wales

Prince of Wales B v Marquis of Lorne

George Canning v Conquering Heroes

Streatham Vale Sports & Social Club v Smeta Elite

Smeta All Starz v Horns Tavern (we have given Horns Tavern away fixtures in weeks 1 and 2 just in case the refurbishment works overrun and the pub is later opening than planned).

If there are any questions do get in touch. All the information and documentation needed for the season is in the packs that will be issued on Monday.

Good Luck to all players and all teams!

Simon Hooberman

League Secretary

SOUTH EAST LONDON POOL LEAGUE

CAPTAINS CUP

Monday 3rd February 2025

VENUE – SMETA CLUB

(St. Matthew’s Estate Tenants Club)

10 St Matthew’s Road, SW2 1NH

Registration NOT LATER than 7.55pm.

Play starts straight after the draw at 8.00pm.

Captains Cup – Only the Captain or Vice-Captain of each team, as registered, is eligible to participate in this competition.

The tournament will be straight single frame knock out with best of three frames in the Final. Table fees for each frame will be shared between the players in accordance with the relevant Rules except for the Final which will be paid for by the League.

All players intending to participate MUST be at the venue by 7.55pm to register so that the draw can take place at 8.00pm promptly and competition commence immediately thereafter. 

Please ensure your team is represented on the night as I will have available packs for every team for the new League season containing all the paperwork you need including details of all Venues, League Calendar and Fixture List, updated set of Rules, and Match Results Sheets for the season.

Dear All,

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a good Christmas and New Year, have taken the opportunity to recharge your batteries and are ready for the 2025 pool season.

I hereby confirm and give notice that the Annual General Meeting of the South East London Pool League will take place next Monday evening, 13th January 2025, at 8.00pm at Streatham Vale Sports and Social Club, The Pavilion, (next to 57) Canmore Gardens, SW16 5BD. 

Copies of Agenda, Minutes of last AGM, along with a Financial Statement (not the end of year position as income and expenditure linked to Presentation Night will need to be added) and Secretary's Report, will be available at the meeting.

Captains are reminded that entry forms for the 2025 season were distributed at the November Officers and Captains Meeting and should be handed to me at the AGM along with your entry fees for the season. Please do everything in your power to ensure that this happens as my mobility issues are still ongoing and I can't chase around after you as I have done in the past.

I would also like to remind everyone that the Presentation Night will take place on Saturday 18th January 2025 at Smeta Club, 10 St. Matthew's Road, SW2 1NH. Some copies of the flyer will also be available at the AGM.

We are still aiming for Monday 3rd February for the start of the season and will confirm that as soon as we can. It does, of course, require everyone's cooperation in submitting paperwork and entry fees.

I look forward to seeing you on Monday.

Kind regards,

Simon Hooberman

League Secretary