There have been some remarkable landmarks in the professional game , and none more so than the escalation in the prize money awarded.

John Spencer started it off with the first £1000 prize in 1969 when he won £1780 in the Players No 6 World Championship. It took a further 8 years for someone to achieve a £5000 pay cheque. The actual total was £6000 in the 1977 Embassy World Championship and the winner was once again none other than John Spencer.

Things started to accelerate immediately and the first £10,000 prize went to Terry Griffiths in the 1979 Embassy World Championship. The huge growth in interest in professional snooker led to Alex Higgins netting £25,000 in the 1982 Embassy World championships. In a matter of three years the cheque had risen by £15,000.

This was nothing compared to what was to follow. In 1985 in the Dulux British Open Silvinho Francisco won £60,000 , a simply huge amount for the time. However records are meant to be broken and in 1988 Steve Davis won the Everest World Matchplay event and pocketed a cool £100,000. 

It is extraordinary but a fact that only three years after Steve Davis won 100k a certain Jimmy White won the Mita World Masters and took home an eye watering £200,000.

As is often the case Rocket Ronnie has the last word as in 2001 he was the first person to earn a whopping £250,000 by winning the 2001 Embassy World Championship.

The growth in the fees earned by these players clearly demonstrated the rise of the game , the advent of huge TV coverage , the widespread sponsorship and the development of a number of personalities in the sport.

Sadly the personalities in the game are few and far between. In 1983 at The Benson & Hedges Masters at Wembley Conference Centre Higgins and Werbeniuk played in front of a record crowd of 2876 paying punters. That is better than some football crowds !

In Oct 2004 The Totesport Grand Prix was held at the Preston Guildhall. In the last 32 were Graham Dott and Dominic Dale. They hold a record as well ; their game attracted not one paying customer , I kid you not!

Its still a great game but apart from Ronnie where have all the showmen gone !

Who is the greatest player ever to turn out for Sunderland ?

Its a matter of great debate in this wonderful themed bar that is dedicated to the Premiership club from Wearside. Legends has become the fans favourite for both Home and Away games as all games are screened for the Sunderland faithful.

They also have a large function area upstairs that has been the venue for Snooker , Pool , Darts , Boxing and a number of Black Tie events. To further enhance the customer visit the Bar now benefits from ten 7Ft American Pool Tables supplied by ourselves. Two of which are downstairs and eight of which are upstairs which will soon be open to the public.So if you are looking for a venue in central Sunderland to shoot some pool - get down to Legends !

Who says snooker players are unhealthy and spend all their time eating , drinking and generally enjoying life.

Mark Selby “The Jester from Leicester” has just completed a mile with a difference to help publicise Sport Relief. The newly crowned Welsh Open champ ran around a Full Size snooker table 113 times in 18 minutes and 16 seconds. The score was kept by Michaela Tabb miaooow.

Mark was well supported by Stephen Hendry , Judd Trump , Joe Perry (not the lead guitarist in Aerosmith) and Michael Holt. They all sat and watched , sensible fellows!

Surely this must be some type of World Record - I mean do you know anyone who has done it. Mr Mcwhirter - check your book !

News has reached us that well known Snooker player and celebrity Willie Thorne is planning on spending a couple of weeks with Ant and Dec in the jungle. This would not be the first time that Mr Thorne has spent some time on a reality show. The well known Pro from Leicester who is a regular TV Snooker Pundit has also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing.

According to The Sun (it must be the truth) Willie was due to go on the show in January but was unable to do so due to his “Dancing” commitments.

Willie was quoted as saying “I’d love to go into the jungle and I’ll eat anything for money”.

You might live to regret that comment Willie !

This business can be many things - but one thing is for certain it is always varied.

We have visited this week Dartmouth , Gainsborough , Derby , High Wycombe , Grimsby , Haverhill and Swadlincote.

We have dismantled American Pool Tables , Recovered Snooker Tables , transported and installed American Pool Tables , transported and installed a Full Size Snooker table and a Snooker Diner.

We have sold Cues across the UK and to Italy. We have had an enquiry about an antique table from Argentina. We have become a registered supplier to a major UK company in the building trade.

Our clients have been private individuals , Ten Pin Bowling Operators , Property Developers and Members Clubs.

Pool Tables have arrived for delivery to a major hotel chain . The Youth Service and the NHS. We have taken an order from a sixth form college , a major DIY chain and a very well known Public school. We have also received an order from a Bar with strong links to a premiership football club.

It’s been all go but we endeavour to try and fulfill our obligations as qucikly as possible with good humour and professionalism.

The picture is of two SAM 7Ft Bison Tables supplied to a Bowl in a lovely Zebrano finish. If we can assist you in anyway including advice , please do not hesitate to get in touch.