Vegas & The Aftermath - Diary

[Karabiner]

Harry Diamond ? No I can't say that it rings a bell Tony, but it inspires a bit of digression...

That last pic of the character in the flat cap looks a lot like an old racing man known as "Lights" who frequented the snooker hall upstairs in Windmill Street directly opposite the theatre that famously "never closed".

His son "Johnny Lights" still makes a book today I believe.

I could tell you a few stories about that snooker hall, I used to be Patsy Fagan's first backer in London after he arrived aged eighteen having just won The Irish Youth's Championship. He was some player then.

Wow, I knew Patsy - even played him twice.

There was a snooker hall in Acton, they had Friday midnight knockkouts, & Jimmy White - still at school then (or not at school, to be correct, he was a serial truant), & Tony Meo, both from south of the river at the time - Tooting I think - both played it regularly, as well as Patsy. This was just befoe snooked "exploded" on Telly, maybe early or mid 70's?

I drew Jimmy one night, & got 7 blacks start, lol. He smashed the pack from the break but went in-off, 4 points to me. He then cleared up to the green in one visit......

Patsy was good - VERY good - & you must have cleaned up on him until word got out, yes?

Patsy and I had a few nice scores, we virtually cleaned out the snooker club at Neasden, (£400/£500 was a very big score in 1969) which used to have an "eleven-to-four" rummy game in the back room and held the occasional poker game too so there were a fair few villains around. I heard afterwards that some of them wanted to follow us out and "do" us but Dennis who ran the rummy and who had lost most of the money told them to leave us alone.

Patsy's cover was well and truly blown when we heard that the then World Champion, John Spencer was doing an exhibition at a hall somewhere in the East End and offering 28 start to all-comers for money. We only found out because Patsy had beaten the best player there a week before so we were ready and waiting. Patsy was a bit nervous to begin with and lost the first game to a re-spotted black but then won the next eleven on the spin @ $50 per frame to bust both John Spencer and any chance of getting a decent match for a while.

[popdog/elsadog]

I used to own half a snooker hall in the late 70's/early 80's and played with a mate of Patsy's, a gentleman called Joe Kerr. He was the Northern Ireland billiards champion for something like 5 years on the trot. He brought Patsy up to play at the club on a couple of occasions and he was very good indeed. We also had a character there who played and beat them both on a number of occasions. His name was Neville Suthers. Neville only had one eye that worked and three teeth but boy could he play snooker, and poker, and darts, and crib etc. He'd been banned from every working men's club in Rochdale for hustling the punters at anything they wished to play.

I took Neville and another guy to a serious snooker tournament in Manchester one day. After the matches we were driving home through central Manchester and we passed a new pool hall, that had just opened, called Mr Pool. We went in for a look and some refreshment and Neville bought 2 bottles of Guinness, which he carefully placed, one in each pocket of his full-length camel overcoat to take home. While we were at the bar I got talking to the manager as we watched the resident professional warming up. The manager said that the pro would take on all-comers for £20 a game. I arranged a 10 game match for £20 a frame. We all moved to the match table and the pro assumed as I'd put up the cash, I was to be playing him. When I told him he was playing the old guy at the bar a big smile came across his face.

The pro started playing in a very smart white shirt, black trousers and matching waistcoat. Neville kept his overcoat on and still had a bottle of Guinness in each pocket. By the 5th frame Neville was 5-0 up and still had his overcoat on. The pro was now minus his waistcoat, had rolled his shirt sleeves up and was sweating like a good 'un. It finished up 9-1 to Neville and we split the pot. As we left the manager politely suggested I didn't bring Neville back for a rematch.

[tikay]

I was astonished, during the SPT day at Luton last week, quite taken aback.

I did a bit of commentary before I had to get back to the Studio for the big TP show.

Dealer says "all-in & a call" & I dash across to the Table, microphone in hand. Excellent - EXCELLENT - one of the Celebs - Spencer Oliver (see last night's Diary entry) is in the hand. He has  . His opponent - who I am stood behind, so I have not seen his face - turns over........

Of course, it's all rigged - well it is Sky - & Vilain binks the 2 on the river to bust Spencer, much hilarity, "& a round of applause for our busted Guest please" I blather. Only then do I realise that Villain is....byronkincaid! He was the LAST person I ever expected to see at a SPT, but I was delighted, really, so pleased to see him having a fun day.

AndrewT & his bro, who plays over there as Uzi-Lover, were also both present.

As was, in fact, "TheMackem/BlackCatLee/Lee Harrison", long ago banned by blonde & currently chat-gagged by SP, too. So unlucky, gettng Banned left right & centre. Oddly, I never even saw him. Maybe just as well, saved a scene. It's weird, he is a lovely - really lovely - guy "Live", but wholly obnoxious Online. Most odd, the way peeps change when they get on the internets.

[tikay]

I used to own half a snooker hall in the late 70's/early 80's and played with a mate of Patsy's, a gentleman called Joe Kerr. He was the Northern Ireland billiards champion for something like 5 years on the trot. He brought Patsy up to play at the club on a couple of occasions and he was very good indeed. We also had a character there who played and beat them both on a number of occasions. His name was Neville Suthers. Neville only had one eye that worked and three teeth but boy could he play snooker, and poker, and darts, and crib etc. He'd been banned from every working men's club in Rochdale for hustling the punters at anything they wished to play.

I took Neville and another guy to a serious snooker tournament in Manchester one day. After the matches we were driving home through central Manchester and we passed a new pool hall, that had just opened, called Mr Pool. We went in for a look and some refreshment and Neville bought 2 bottles of Guinness, which he carefully placed, one in each pocket of his full-length camel overcoat to take home. While we were at the bar I got talking to the manager as we watched the resident professional warming up. The manager said that the pro would take on all-comers for £20 a game. I arranged a 10 game match for £20 a frame. We all moved to the match table and the pro assumed as I'd put up the cash, I was to be playing him. When I told him he was playing the old guy at the bar a big smile came across his face.

The pro started playing in a very smart white shirt, black trousers and matching waistcoat. Neville kept his overcoat on and still had a bottle of Guinness in each pocket. By the 5th frame Neville was 5-0 up and still had his overcoat on. The pro was now minus his waistcoat, had rolled his shirt sleeves up and was sweating like a good 'un. It finished up 9-1 to Neville and we split the pot. As we left the manager politely suggested I didn't bring Neville back for a rematch.

At LAST, you've Posted on my diary, & a great story, too - more please.

And well done last night, a nice little win. We won't mention that horrific Call with A-7, eh? And immediate service, when the gutterball 8 turnned. I called it in, you know......

[popdog/elsadog]

I used to own half a snooker hall in the late 70's/early 80's and played with a mate of Patsy's, a gentleman called Joe Kerr. He was the Northern Ireland billiards champion for something like 5 years on the trot. He brought Patsy up to play at the club on a couple of occasions and he was very good indeed. We also had a character there who played and beat them both on a number of occasions. His name was Neville Suthers. Neville only had one eye that worked and three teeth but boy could he play snooker, and poker, and darts, and crib etc. He'd been banned from every working men's club in Rochdale for hustling the punters at anything they wished to play.

I took Neville and another guy to a serious snooker tournament in Manchester one day. After the matches we were driving home through central Manchester and we passed a new pool hall, that had just opened, called Mr Pool. We went in for a look and some refreshment and Neville bought 2 bottles of Guinness, which he carefully placed, one in each pocket of his full-length camel overcoat to take home. While we were at the bar I got talking to the manager as we watched the resident professional warming up. The manager said that the pro would take on all-comers for £20 a game. I arranged a 10 game match for £20 a frame. We all moved to the match table and the pro assumed as I'd put up the cash, I was to be playing him. When I told him he was playing the old guy at the bar a big smile came across his face.

The pro started playing in a very smart white shirt, black trousers and matching waistcoat. Neville kept his overcoat on and still had a bottle of Guinness in each pocket. By the 5th frame Neville was 5-0 up and still had his overcoat on. The pro was now minus his waistcoat, had rolled his shirt sleeves up and was sweating like a good 'un. It finished up 9-1 to Neville and we split the pot. As we left the manager politely suggested I didn't bring Neville back for a rematch.

At LAST, you've Posted on my diary, & a great story, too - more please.

And well done last night, a nice little win. We won't mention that horrific Call with A-7, eh? And immediate service, when the gutterball 8 turnned. I called it in, you know......

TY Sir, however I refuse to discuss the A7 call other than to say it seemed fair to me,

[Claw75]

Tooting I think

yup both from Tooting, as are both my parents. One of my aunts used to knock about with Jimmy back in those days, and Tony Meo lived a few doors away from me when I was growing up.

Really?

He was, even then - he'd be 16 or 18 I think, a little oder than Jimmy I seem to recall - very dapper, very smart, almost dandy-like. He was one of Barry Hearn's first ever signings at Matchroom, just after SD, but Jimmy went another route.

yeah this would have been early 80s-early 90s - he was slightly older than my parents. That was in Morden rather than Tooting (bit posher like, when you've made good, coz it's technically in Surrey innit). Tony lived in a big extended semi with his family and we lived in the mock tudor terraces backing onto it

just had a look on wiki and both are a bit younger than I realised - actually a couple of years younger than my folks. Everyone looks old when you're 10 tho

[tikay]

Tooting I think

yup both from Tooting, as are both my parents. One of my aunts used to knock about with Jimmy back in those days, and Tony Meo lived a few doors away from me when I was growing up.

Really?

He was, even then - he'd be 16 or 18 I think, a little oder than Jimmy I seem to recall - very dapper, very smart, almost dandy-like. He was one of Barry Hearn's first ever signings at Matchroom, just after SD, but Jimmy went another route.

yeah this would have been early 80s-early 90s - he was slightly older than my parents. That was in Morden rather than Tooting (bit posher like, when you've made good, coz it's technically in Surrey innit). Tony lived in a big extended semi with his family and we lived in the mock tudor terraces backing onto it

just had a look on wiki and both are a bit younger than I realised - actually a couple of years younger than my folks. Everyone looks old when you're 10 tho

Jimmy White born 1962 - that adds up, so he would have been 12 or 13 when he was dossing round the poker halls & I first encountered him.

[Claw75]

Mini Quiz Time. On Jimmy's wiki page it says he studied at Ernest Bevin College (my dad's old school). On Tony Meo's page it says he and Jimmy were schoolmates, so presumably he went too.  Another very famous student went to that school, but was a few years above my old man. Anyone want to have a stab (that's not a clue)?

[tikay]

Mini Quiz Time. On Jimmy's wiki page it says he studied at Ernest Bevin College (my dad's old school). On Tony Meo's page it says he and Jimmy were schoolmates, so presumably he went too.  Another very famous student went to that school, but was a few years above my old man. Anyone want to have a stab (that's not a clue)?

I give up. Gissaclue. Was it Chompy?

[Claw75]

Mini Quiz Time. On Jimmy's wiki page it says he studied at Ernest Bevin College (my dad's old school). On Tony Meo's page it says he and Jimmy were schoolmates, so presumably he went too.  Another very famous student went to that school, but was a few years above my old man. Anyone want to have a stab (that's not a clue)?

I give up. Gissaclue. Was it Chompy?

not quite as famous as Chompy.

Clue 1:

at school he would have been known as Mark Field, but we all know him by a different name.

[Claw75]

Clue 2: he was born exactly 20 days after Tikay

it's already far too easy for Tighty

[Tonji]

Are you getting another Beemer, tikay? Or have you decided on something else?

I believe he is getting one of those Smart cars recommended by Greenpeace as part of his "Save The Moles" campaign.

SAVE THE MOLES!

Ralph, you've jogged my memory. Did you know - from your scallywaggy London days - a geezer called Harry Diamond? He died last week, his Obit was in The Times, he seemed a right character. And where was the top photo taken, any idea? The dark-haired bloke could almost be you, 50 or 60 years younger, in fact.

That is Lucien Freud with Francis Bacon, so have probably just walked out of a pub, best guess around Soho.

[tikay]

Clue 2: he was born exactly 20 days after Tikay

it's already far too easy for Tighty

Marc Bolan!

Well I outlasted him by a tidy bit!

[redsimon]

Mini Quiz Time. On Jimmy's wiki page it says he studied at Ernest Bevin College (my dad's old school). On Tony Meo's page it says he and Jimmy were schoolmates, so presumably he went too.  Another very famous student went to that school, but was a few years above my old man. Anyone want to have a stab (that's not a clue)?

I give up. Gissaclue. Was it Chompy?

not quite as famous as Chompy.

Clue 1:

at school he would have been known as Mark Field, but we all know him by a different name.

I was going to say Marc Bolan but wasn't he Mark Feld?

[TightEnd]

I used to walk to school every day past the tree Bolan and girlfriend hit in the mini where he died. It's still covered in notes, flowers etc to this day

Interestingly the tree is on the top of an embankment just past a bridge that runs above the rail line into Waterloo, by Barnes station