Yes remember it well tony. Was Ali mallu. Remember it being my first ranking event
Final. Won by my now pal Andy Bradshaw. He's a real nice bloke and
Gentleman.
Yup, Ali Mallu.
Ali had been involved in a bit of alleged argy bargy at Grosvenor Bolton on the Thursday, & after some dithering, Grosvenor banned him.
Meanwhile, he had entered that 2 day thing at Blackpool & we returned on Day 2 for the Final, including Ali.
8 of us were seated, but Ali was stuck in Reception, they would not let him in.
Yogi (later of DTD) was the TD who had to sort it out.
The problem was that Ali had paid to enter, so should his chips be in play as he was now barred? Also, with his chips in play but him absent, it set up a weird seating dynamic.
Eventually his chips were taken out of play & off we went. I spent longer awaiting the start than I did playing the Final.....
Andy Bradshaw? I used to find him a little abrasive, but we are cool now. Only time I see him these days is in Vegas every year, & he's always very social & warm towards me. Think he does quite well in Vegas most years.
Author