Ladies, Gentlemen and Poker Players,
I'd just like to say a few words, firstly a big thank you to all of you for you support in my time at luton. I've enjoyed my time there and i've enjoyed working with every one of you thats been there. I'm very passionate about poker as you all obviously are and that why i've so enjoyed working with you people, I know I haven't always made the right decision or the correct ruling and for all those mistakes i apologise, I'd just like to say i tried my best with what was available, and i hope i've learned from every situation.
In case any of you were wondering of my reasons for leaving they are simple; not the staff, not the job and not even the management of the casino, it's the company. Those of you who have said it's the corporate culture and the way that rank group approach casinos are correct in my opinion, we can all see that they are struggling and in my view they are making all the wrong moves so i left. And before any of you say 'oh he's just blameing the company cos he was sh*t at his job' I'm not shifting blame, i'm not saying how good i was at the job (you people will be the judge of that) i'm smply stating why i decided to move on. This is the same reason i chose dtd, they are only running poker and therefore have a massivley bigger interest in making the best poker venue around whereas rank seem to have other priorites at the moment and mine are with the poker community. I am really looking forward to working at dtd with rob, simon and his team in what i think is the future of poker.
But enough of that, the only reason i so enjoyed working there was because as i think a famous celebrity once said 'the place has a fantastic atmosphere'. He was and still is right, but the key is the atmosphere is created by you guys. The best tourney i ever ran (and the most enjoyable) was the Blonde Bash i ran earlier in the year, it was fabulous, thanks guys. There are 2 blondites i would like to give a special mention to tho,
The first is the gentleman himself, Tikay......
Tikay, thank you for your never ending support of me and luton. without you the world and luton would be a much worse place. I know Carmel will listen to all you have to say and it's people like you that cause the staff at luton to raise ther game to the top, with your support that cardroom will succeed. Also thank you for all your advice and help over my time there (except with regards to women. Tony, 'child-bearing hips' is not a compliment!). Tikay your a gentleman and a scholar. Thank you and i hope to see many more times in dtd.
The other is that little ray of sunshine, young miss DingDell. Tracey, whenever you walked into that room you were always smiling, always happy i have never once seen you in a bad mood. It's people like you that make luton what it is. Thank you for all the sunshine you brought to dull shifts at work, and i hope to see more of you at dtd (preferably all of you

). (p.s. you can take me up on that offer of dinner now i've left, it won't be classed as fraternisation any more

)
There are far to many others to mention, you know who you all are, and i thank you all for you help and support. I couldn't have done it without you. Thank you, Thank you and thank you. And I hope to see you all at dtd at some point.
It's been a pleasure
Alastair.