Harrow & District Snooker & Billiards League - About Us

ABOUT US

LEAGUE HISTORY

The HDSBL was formed in 1938 at a meeting of representatives from 5 local Clubs - ELMS Club (Stanmore), HARROW WEALD MEMORIAL CLUB, KODAK RECREATION SOCIETY, LONDON MIDLAND SCOTTISH (LMS) Railway (Wembley) and LONDON PASSENGER TRANSPORT BOARD (LPTB) (Wembley). None of these Clubs are now Members but KODAK and HARROW WEALD MEMORIAL CLUB maintained their membership continuously until the KODAK RECREATION SOCIETY was closed down after the 2010/11 season and HARROW WEALD folded after the 2013/14 season.

Thanks are due to Mr AA Campbell (formerly of the Brentham Club) who spent many hours trawling through the League's minute books extracting and documenting relevant snippets. These, and memories of those with a long association with the League, provide the basis of the following chronological listing.

In the following listing, additional information, in italics and parentheses, has been added to supplement and perhaps corroborate the existing information.

DATE	DETAIL
11-Jul-1938	A meeting took place between representatives of five local Clubs with a view to forming a local Snooker League. Those present were Messrs Johnson and Shellcross of ELMS (Stanmore), Page and Smith of KODAK RECREATION SOCIETY, Durham and Gidman of LMS (Wembley), Gibson and Preston of LPTB (Wembley), and Howell and Poore of HARROW WEALD MEMORIAL CLUB. It was agreed that :- The League should be known as HARROW & DISTRICT SNOOKER LEAGUE. Each Club should subscribe 10/6 (52½p) annually towards expenses. Teams would comprise 6 players each playing 2 frames, one point allocated per frame. A winner's cup, offered by a Mr Preston of Kodak/LPTB?, be known as the "Preston Challenge Cup". (The above information has been taken from the original minutes. It is not known whether the Clubs of the attendees were incorrectly recorded or whether there were two Mr Prestons. For as long as can be remembered, the Preston Challenge Cup is the permanent trophy awarded to the Division 'A' winners). A sixth Club, Fairview, be approached to join.
12-Dec-1938 Meeting	Reported that Club subscriptions totalled £3/3/- (£3.15), Fairview now having joined. Agreed that a social evening and dinner should be held in March 1939, men only, at 3/6 (17½p) per head. "Artistes" to be engaged.
17-Apr-1939 Meeting	Brentham's application to join accepted. Agreed that Hendon, Northwood, West Ealing, Willesden and De Havilland be approached.
11-Jul-1939 Meeting	Northwood's application to join accepted. Agreement to form a "B" division. Clubs with teams in “A” & “B” Division to nominate 7 players for “A” Division who would not be eligible for “B” Division and “B” Division players could only play in 2 “A” Division games in a season to retain their “B” Division status.
1939 to 1945	League suspended during WW2.
23-Jan-1946 Meeting	A General meeting was convened at which it was agreed that the League should recommence, limited at present to one Division. Annual subscription increased to £1/1/- (£1.05) per Club.
18-Sep-1946 Meeting	Fairview Club presented with a replica Winners Trophy Cup (for 1938 season).
03-Mar-1947 Meeting	Following a discussion it was decided to retain the League's present name. Financial report showing a balance in hand of £-/3/7½ (18p). Question raised as to "whether the 'Jump Shot' should be allowed owing to the potential danger to cloths". Agreed that it was undesirable but a rule could not be made banning it. Agreed that a second division commence in the following 1947-1948 season.
14-Jul-1947 Meeting	Reported that a social evening, organised by Mr Barber of Tithe Farm and held at his Club, realised a profit of £3/5/8 (£3.28). Financial report showing a balance in hand of £1/14/7 (£1.73). Applications for Membership received (and approved) from Smiths Athletic Club, Northwick Tennis Club, Lyons, Northwood Central, Fairview 'B', Harrow Weald 'B', Guinness, LMS Willesden 'B' and Kodak 'B'. Existing Clubs to remain in Division 'A' with new Members forming the core of Division 'B'. Trophy for highest break introduced. Long discussion regarding Clubs with a team in both Divisions. Minuted that "it be left to Clubs to honour the spirit of true sportsmanship to select their best players for the 'A' Division".
02-Feb-1948 Meeting	Agreement to affiliate to the Billiards Association and Control Council (BACC) for an annual subscription of £1/1/- (£1.05). Discussion on whether a club could field a professional. Agreed that rules did not preclude a professional from playing.
03-May-1948 Meeting	Lowlands and Met railway were accepted to compete in a new Division 'C'.
14-Jun-1948 Meeting	Following advice fron the BACC, a new rule was adopted "All competitors must be amateurs according to the definition laid down by the BACC".
24-Aug-1948 Meeting	AEC, Ivy Leaf, LPTB and Victoria clubs accepted to play in a new Division 'D' commencing in season 1948/49. A proposal for the formation of a Billiards league was not proceeded with owing to the lack of support.
03-Jan-1949 Meeting	Financial report showing a balance in hand of £37/6/2 (£37.31). Sub-committee formed to make recommendations regarding an Individual KO Competition for the forthcoming 1949/50 season (The precursor of the Dwyer Bowl).
04-Apr-1949 Meeting	Sub-committee report on individual competition accepted – two players per team. Agreement that trophies be awarded for highest breaks and individual performances.
13-Feb-1950 Meeting	Individual knock-out extended to four players from each team. Comments/discussion re failure to observe match starting times.
22-Jan-1951 Meeting	Agreed that the Secretary should endeavour to fix up Inter-League games with other Leagues.
20-Aug-1951	A suggestion that 2 teams from one club could not play in the same Division was not agreed. To cover the cost of miniature cups for players making highest break and individual performances, it was agreed that annual subscriptions should be increased to £2/-/- for “A” Teams, £1/10/- for “B” Teams and £1/5/- for “C” Teams (£2.00, £1.50 and £1.25 respectively). Agreed that the Individual Championship be thrown open to all players.
25-Feb-1952 Meeting	First Inter-league match between Harrow & District and Acton & District Snooker League arranged – to be played at Brentham Club on 14-Mar-1952.
25-Aug-1952 Meeting	Formation of an “E” Division of 8 teams. Two further Inter-League games had been arranged - against Acton & District again and against Welwyn garden City & District.
02-Feb-1953 Meeting	A return Inter-League match with Welwyn was agreed and it was hoped an Inter-league match with Hammersmith & District could be arranged
17-Aug-1953 Meeting	League fees to be increased to £2 for 1 Team, £3/10/- (£3.50) for 2 Teams, £4.15/- (£4.75) for 3 Teams. Entrance Fee for new club £1/1/- (£1.05). The issue of a Rule Book & Fixture List approved.
15-Mar-1954 Meeting	A 29 seater coach for the Inter-League match at Welwyn garden City had been hired. The Secretary appealed to members to support the match.
26-Jul-1954 Meeting	Agreed that a new rule be adopted as follows “In the event of a match being unplayed by default, failing satisfactory explanation, the defaulting club shall be fined 10/6d (52½p) payable to the Treasurer”. Agreed that each club must have at least one representative at every Committee meeting. (see 06-May-1957). Agreed that both Home & Away captains should send result cards to the Hon. Secretary for every match.
18-Apr-1955 Meeting	Mr HU Poore tendered his resignation as Secretary and Treasurer for health reasons. All present expressed their gratitude for all the work he had put into the League as one of the Founders. Mr W Davies (4MU) unanimously elected as Secretary and Treasurer.
15-Aug-1955 Meeting	Ruislip British Legion application accepted. New rule – jump shot banned.
1957	Ronnie Gross (Brentham) wins the English Amateur Snooker Championship. First of 3 wins (1957/1960/1962).
06-May-1957 Meeting	Until this point in time, the league was administered by means of meetings attended by a representative from each member club with a chairman being appointed at the start of each meeting. Mr JWC Dwyer chaired this particular meeting. A number of constitutional proposals were discussed and agreed as follows:- That in future the League be administered by an elected committee. That Messrs. JWC (Bill) Dwyer, W Davies and RJ (Jack) Whitaker be appointed as Chairman, Secretary/Treasurer and Results Secretary respectively. That Messrs. Alder (Tithe Farm), Bradley (Lowlands), Denham (Ruislip BL), Mews (Fairview) and Row (Victoria) form the rest of the committee. That in future an Annual General Meeting will take place on the first Monday of May.
1960	Ronnie Gross (Brentham) wins the English Amateur Snooker Championship for the second time.
02-May-1960 AGM	Reported that the League won the first Inter-League trophy – against whom not reported. Agreement in principle that an Inter-Club knockout competition should be run. Agreement that the Individual Championship rounds be played on fixed dates.
01-May-1961 AGM	Mr R (Reg) Ground elected as League President. Chairman Mr JWC (Bill) Dwyer donates a trophy for the Individual Competition – to be known as the Dwyer Bowl. It was retrospectively engraved with past winners (back to 1950). Decision that the Committee should further discuss the arrangements for a club knockout competition and that a cup commemorating Mr HU (Jack) Poore should be provided.
1962	Ronnie Gross (Brentham) wins the English Amateur Snooker Championship for the third time.
07-May-1962 AGM	The Jack Poore cup exhibited for the first time. Handicaps for the Poore Cup to be as follows: “A” Div – scratch, “B” Div – 7 points, “C” Div – 14 points, “D” Div – 21 points Rule change. Commencing 1962/63 season, pairing of players by ballot prior to the start of each match. Proposal that teams should be given 2 points for a win and 1 point for a draw was defeated by 10 votes to 3. First mention of “Harman” in connection with the Inter-league Tournament.
06-May-1963 AGM	Agreement that pairing of players was a disaster so rule rescinded. Proposal for 2 up 2 down for all Divisions. League President, Mr Ground (Northwood) vehemently disagreed. Motion defeated, so remained at 1 up 1 down between Divs 'A' & 'B' and 2 up 2 down for all other Divisions. Report that the Individual Tournament (Dwyer Bowl) produced a record entry of 66 and the final was attended by 100 spectators. Report that more than 300 people attended Presentation Evening at Harrow British Legion.
1964/5	105 entries for Dwyer Bowl. Geoff Foulds wins Dwyer Bowl. First of his 5 wins (1965/1967/1969/1973/1974) Highest break of season (61) was by a 'D' division player. (Player's name not recorded).
02-May-1966 AGM	Proposal for 2 up 2 down for all Divisions carried 10-3.
01-May-1967 AGM	Introduction of rule re home team breaking in first frame and scoring on spot throughout.
06-May-1968 AGM	32 teams in League Reports were sent to 4 Newspapers each week Request for a Snooker Pairs Competition. Request for a Billiards League. Reported that the BACC is forming a London & Home Counties Association.
05-May-1969 AGM	Mr JWC (Bill) Dwyer elected League President. Mr FA (Frank) Beebee (Northwood) elected League Chairman. Deletion of rule regarding a fine of 10/6 (52½p) as it had been practically impossible to enforce as it was the defaulting teams that were withdrawing. This set the precedent for not imposing monetary penalties. Long discussion re "playing in merit order". One suggestion was that the Most Frames award was a contributory factor. Billiards League won by Greenford Cons. Club. (Very little information exists about this competition. What is recorded suggests that it ran for only a couple of seasons).
04-May-1970 AGM	Mr L (Len) Harding elected League Vice-President. A Billiards knockout competition was suggested as a full League programme could not be arranged. Mr AK Slade asked if an Individual League could be run. This was referred for Committee consideration.
03-May-1971 AGM	Mr RJ (Jack) Whitaker elected League Vice-President. Mr AK Slade elected League Match Secretary (the start of a 36-year stint). League Fees to be set at £3.00 and £5.00 for one and two teams respectively. Reported that for the first time, the Committee awarded an 8-0 score as a penalty for the non-arrival of a team. Inter-Club Billiards Pairs competition established to supersede Billiards League. Individual Snooker League in progress.
1972/73 Season	Sid Farrant (playing for Greenford Cons. in Division 'B') won 27 ex 28 frames (96.1%). (As at May-2020, this is the longest standing HDSBL record. The achievement was equalled in 1978/79 by Roger Best playing for Hayes WMC in Division 'E').
06-May-1974 AGM	Reported that Geoff Foulds won the Inter-League Champion of Champions competition. A Billiards knockout competition was suggested as a full League programme could not be arranged. Mr AK Slade asked if an Individual League could be run. This was referred for Committee consideration.
1975	Mr Barry Shine referees the final of the Southern Area English Amateur Snooker Championship between Willie Thorne and Chris Ross held at Fishers Acton.
05-May-1975 AGM	League fees to be increased to £5 for one team and £8 for two teams and 25p for players for all other competitions. Reported that entries for the Individual Snooker League had fallen from 4 divisions of 8 to only 1 division of 7. Decision to continue only if greater interest is shown.
02-May-1977 AGM	League fees to be increased to £7 for one team and £10 for two teams. Reported that all clubs were playing with Super Crystalate balls.
08-May-1978 AGM	Entry fee for individual competitions increased from 25p to 50p.
14-May-1979 AGM	Frank Beebee stands down as Chairman and elected as joint Vice-President alonside Jack Whitaker. Mr BR Shine elected League Chairman (the start of a 30-year stint).
12-May-1980 AGM	League fees to be increased to £8.80 per team.
10-May-1982 AGM	It was reported that during the past year, Vice-President Jack Whitaker had passed away). Mr EC (Eddie) Burchmore elected Vice-President in recognition of his several years service as League Secretary and Treasurer. League fees to be increased to £9 per team. Reported that Mike Clarke (Brentham) was appointed as a referee for the 1982 World Professional Billiards Championship. Reported that Phil Wells (Northwood) made a 103 Billiards break in the Billiards Pairs competition. (This was never surpassed during the existence of this now defunct competition).
09-May-1983 AGM	League fees to be increased to £12 per team and individual competition fees to £1. Proposal to award an additional 3 points for a win and 1 point for a draw in League matches was carried. Proposal to run a Snooker Pairs competition carried. Reported that the 1982/83 season saw a record number of both team entries (48 from 26 Clubs, necessitating the formation of Division 'F') and Dwyer Bowl entries (153).
21-May-1984 AGM ?	Reported that following increasingly poor attendances at previous Presentation Nights, a new format of engaging a professional (John Virgo) was tried for the first time. (The full list of professonals so engaged can be viewed here).
13-May-1985 AGM	It was reported that during the past year, President Mr JWC (Bill) Dwyer had passed away). Vice-President Mr F (Frank) Beebee elected President. Reported that the past season saw yet another record number of team entries (54 necessitating the formation of Division 'G') Dwyer Bowl entries (171), Billiards Pairs (28) and 74 for the new Snooker Pairs competition.
12-May-1986 AGM	Reported that in the past season there were 57 teams in the League. Reported that Wembley Cons. Club will enforce their dress code rule, barring those wearing jeans. Complaint regarding late arrivals for matches depriving home team of choosing order of play.
11-May-1987 AGM	Reported that in the past season there were 64 teams in the League necessitating the formation of Division 'H'.
09-May-1988 AGM	Proposal to hold a Summer Individual Billiards League carried unanimously. Mike Wright suggested the scoring system (3 division points for a win plus one division point for each 50 points scored). Reported that in the past season there were 72 teams in the League necessitating the formation of Division 'I'. Also a record 83 entries in the Snooker Pairs. Concerns were expressed about the increase in number of teams re:- amount of administration work for the Committee. because of the requirement that new teams had to join in the bottom division, it is taking a considerable time for them to find their level and existing lower division teams are suffering. an expressed unease about the entry of multi-table clubs rather than traditional "social" clubs.
Jan/Feb-1989 SGM	SGM conducted by post. Following their attendance at the London and Home Counties AGM on 25-Nov-1988, the Chairman and Match Secretary recommended disaffiliation from the LHC. Full details were communicated to all Clubs and the response was an overwhelming vote in favour. Harrow therefore not eligible to participate in LHC Inter-League competitions.
08-May-1989 AGM	1989 Presentation Night to be a dinner/dance to celebrate the League's 50th. anniversary. Agreement reached that the League would run their own Inter‑League competitions.
1989/90 Season	Karl Burrows of Edgware Snooker makes the first Snooker century break in the League, a 108 in a Division 'E' match.
13-May-1991 AGM	League President Frank Beebee steps down. Mr EW (Eddie) Riches elected President in recognition of his many years service to the League and to the Games in general as a Grade 'A' referee and Examiner in both Billiards and Snooker. League fees increased to £15 per team after 7 years at £12. Question raised regarding the eligibility of profesionals. Currently WPBSA members precluded from playing in the League. Discussion on the Miss Rule. Reported that lady players (2) played in the League for the first time. Reported that penalty points were levied against a team for failing to turn up for a match.
15-Jul-1991 SGM	Decision taken to allow WPBSA members to compete in the League.
May-1992 AGM	Agreement that clubs with more that one team no longer have to choose their top 6 players for the “A” team, the next best for the "B" team etc. Recognised that rules would have to be amended regarding substitutions. Again, concern expressed regarding teams turning up incomplete for matches. It was reported that in the 1991/92 season :- team entries had dropped from 72 to 67 Penalty points were levied against a team for failing to turn up for a match. John Leahy and Steve Downing both made century breaks (103 each). Andy Lavin had won the Dwyer Bowl (for the first of 4 occasions and 11 appearences in the final to 2018/19). Brian Peddie (High Wycombe)– Champion of Champions winner for last 2 seasons precluded from defending his title because of his now professional status.
May-1993 AGM	League fees increased from £15 to £18 per team and from £1 to £2 for individual competitions.
May-1994 AGM	Agreement on rule change to exclude the playing of the Miss Rule "as applied in the professional game". Reported that Harrow's Andy Lavin had won the Inter-League Champion of Champions competition. Reported that Paul Stockwell (Colindale) made a 105 break in a Division 'C' match. (To date - MAY-2020 - this is the highest Div 'C' break although it was bettered with a 139 by main tour professional Martin Gould in 2009/10).
May-1995 AGM	League fees increased from £18 to £20 per team. Any new club entering the League must be open to men and women. Teams to be penalised for late arrival of result cards. Reported that League Vice-President Mr EC (Eddie) Burchmore passed away during the last year. Mr Barry Shine attended the funeral. Reported that 64 teams entered at the start of the 1994/95 season.
May-1996 AGM	League fees increased from £20 to £22 per team. Reported that 61 teams entered at the start of the 1995/96 season, with Division E, F & G each comprising 7 teams.
May-1997 AGM	League fees increased from £22 to £24 per team. It was reported that :- 57 teams entered at the start of the 1996/97 season. English Association for Snooker & Billiards (EASB) ran all (presumably national) tournaments (except WPBSA) and a dispute about rules had been resolved in EASB’s favour. Eddie Riches stated that there is still a problem with the miss rule. Tim Norris (Kodak) made a 137 break in a Div 'A' match. (To date - MAY-2020 - this is the highest Div 'A' break although it was equalled by Martin Gould in 2002/3). John Leahy made a 141 total clearance playing for Harrow in a second round Inter-League match against the Hammersmith League in December 1996. (To date - MAY-2020 - this is the highest Snooker break made by a Harrow player in a match run under the control of the Harrow League).
May-1998 AGM	Chairman Barry Shine proposed the running of a Snooker knockout competition exclusively for team players in other than divisions 'A' and 'B'. This was agreed subject to a positive response from players, whereupon the Chairman affirmed he would donate a permanent trophy. It was reported that :- there were 55 team entries at the start of the 1997/98 season. 18 teams had entered the Inter-League tournament A record 265 tickets had been sold for the 1998 Presentation Night featuring Jimmy White.
May-1999 AGM	League fees increased from £24 to £26 per team. It was reported that there were 45 team entries at the start of the 1998/99 season (down from 72 11 years earlier).
May-2000 AGM	League fees increased from £26 to £28 per team. Reported that during the 1999/2000 season, Alan Millership (Kodak 'B') made a 121 break in a Poore Cup match. (To date - MAY-2020 - this is the highest break in this competition).
14-May-2001 AGM	The Match Secretary, Mr Slade, reported that were a record number of match postponements during the 2000/01 season (48 in total, 14 in division 'A') and the Committee had to adjudicate on 5 unplayed matches. After a lengthy debate a proposal to require postponed matches to be played withinn 4 weeks was carried unanimously. It was proposed and agreed that the League Rules should contain a "Mission Statement". It was reported that There was an increase of team entries to 50 for the 2000/2001 season. Mike Wright made a Billiards break of 171 in practise. There was a lengthy discussion on the future of the Billiards Pairs competition considering that there were only 4 entries in the past season. Agreed that the views of past entrants be sought with a decision to be made at the next AGM.
13-May-2002 AGM	League fees increased from £28 to £30 per team and from £2.00 to £2.50 per entrant to individual competitions. Summer Billiards from £5 to £7. Two items were discussed at length :- There were only 3 entries to the Billiards Pairs competition and following discussions with past entrants the Committee was proposing its closure to be replaced with a "two tier" (seeded and non-seeded players) individual competitions. Unanimously agreed. The possibility of replacing the most frames won trophies with performance awards. It was accepted that no such award is perfect but that in future, result cards must indicate clearly if a 2-0 win was as a result of a no-show as only frames played and won should count. It was reported that Martin Gould had won the English Amateur Snooker Championship (first of two 2002/2007). Andy Lavin had won the 2000/01 Inter-League Champion of Champions competition.
2002/3 Season	Martin Gould wins Dwyer Bowl for the first of 6 successive years. Mike Wright makes a 131 break in the Summer Billiards League (To date - MAY-2020 - this is the highest break by an amateur in this competition although professional Nalin Patel made a 151 in 2005).. Andy Lavin (Harrow Weald MC) made a 139 break in a Snooker Pairs match. (To date - MAY-2020 - this is the highest break in this competition).
12-May-2003 AGM	League fees increased from £30 to £35 per team. It was agreed that in future proposed League fees increases be communicated to Club Reps. prior to an AGM.
Apr-2004	First appearance of League's website.
10-May-2004 AGM	League fees increased from £35 to £37 per team. It was agreed that in future proposed League fees increases be communicated to Club Reps. prior to an AGM. Discussion on poor attendance at the AGM. It was agreed that the League's website should contain details of Clubs' attendance.
09-May-2005 AGM	League fees increased by £1 to £38 per team and by £1 to £8 for the Summber Billiards League. Mr Slade announced that he would be stepping down from running the Inter-League competitions. In thanking Mr Slade,the Chairman emphasised how well the competitions had been run since the League took over their running in 1990 and expressed a hope that a volunteer would come forward. The Chairman stated that a Rules Sub-committee had been formed for the purpose of carrying out a wide ranging review of the League's rules. A number of proposals (many of a cosmetic nature) had been sent to all Club Reps. The proposals were agreed upon en bloc.
08-May-2006 AGM	League fees increased by £1 to £39 per team. The Chairman stated that once again the Rules Sub-committee had reviewed of the League's rules and their proposals had been sent to all Club Reps. The proposals were agreed upon en bloc.
2006/7 Season	Martin Gould wins English Amateur Snooker Championship (2nd. of 2 2002/2007).
16-Apr-2007 AGM	Mr AK Slade steps down as Match Secretary after a 36-year stint. Elected to League Vice-Presidency. League fees increased by £1 to £40 per team and by 50p to £3 for individual competitions.
14-Apr-2008 AGM	League fees increased by £2 to £42 per team. It was proposed and agreed to run an Inter-Club Snooker Pairs competition open only to team players in divisions other than 'A' and 'B'. A further proposal was agreed that it be named the Adrian Slade Trophy in recognition of his service to the League as Match Secretary. It was recognised that Simon Woodward had run a charity event in support of the Paul Hunter Foundation. Simon expressed his thanks to everyone who helped and participated.
18-May-2009 AGM	League fees increased by £2 to £44 per team. Mr BR (Barry) Shine steps down after 30 years as League Chairman and 42 years on Committee. Elected to joint League Vice-Presidency. Mr DB (Dave) Rose elected League Chairman.
17-May-2010 AGM	League fees increased by £1 to £45 per team. The Match Secretary stated that he would be making it clear to participants that :- competition deadline dates would be strictly adhered to match postponments have to be mutually agreed and alternative dates offered Furthermore, he confirmed that the temporary extension of the grace period for playing postponed league matches from 4 to 6 weeks had worked well.
16-May-2011 AGM	League fees increased by £1 to £46 per team. Agreement reached on creating a new Competitions Administrator role to deal with all aspects of knockout competitions. A number of League Rule changes were agreed, the most significant being :- to cater for the new role of Competitions Administrator. to give the Match Secretary authority to approve players' moves between Clubs mid-season. that League match result cards be received within 5 days (formerly 7 days).
14-May-2012 AGM	League fees increased by £1 to £47 per team.
20-May-2013 AGM	Agreement on minor Rules changes aimed to clarify the procedures at an AGM.
03-Apr-2014	League President Eddie Riches passes away aged 92. Messrs Russell and Shine attend his funeral in Congleton, Cheshire. Implementation of a major upgrade to League's website.
19-May-2014 AGM	League fees increased to £50 per team. Mr BR (Barry) Shine elected League President. Agreed that the Billiards Championship should be dedicated to past President. Eddie Riches. Agreement on some minor Rules changes concerning individual competitions.
18-May-2015 AGM	League fees remain unchanged. A number of League Rule changes were agreed, the most significant being :- to redefine the procedures prior to and at an AGM when dealing with Committee and Individual proposals, the primary aim being to reduce discussion time. a change to the date when annual fees are to be received and the penalty for non-compliance. a two point penalty to be applied for late match result notification. the introduction of a one or two frame penalty for, respectively, 20 or 40 minutes late arrival when called to play.
16-May-2016 AGM	League fees remain unchanged. A number of League Rule changes were agreed, the most significant being :- to accept as permanent the draft Rules that applied in the first season of the Seniors' competition. an amendment to introduce an extra criterion for determining a team's position in a division.
16-May-2017 AGM	League fees increased to £60 per team and £5 per entrant for individual competitions. Announcement that a new Individual Handicap Snooker competition would be introduced in the 2017/18 season. A number of League Rule changes were agreed, the most significant being :- to approve the proposed set of rules for the new Individual Handicap Snooker competition competition. to deal with Committee Members’ continued non-attendance at Committee meetings. the grace period for playing postponed league matches increased to 8 weeks. the eligibility for playing in a Poore Cup semi-final or final increased to 4 matches played.
15-May-2018 AGM	Summer Billiards entry fee increased to £10 per person. It was noted that James O'Sullivan had made 3 century breaks in league matches in the previous season. A number of League Rule changes were agreed, the most significant being :- to increase the grace period for playing postponed league matches to 9 weeks except for the last three scheduled matches which are to be played within four weeks of the season's last scheduled league match date. to amend the wording in order to eliminate any confusion arising from the use of the word "club", making a distinction between a “Member Club” and the “Venue” or "Organisation" where a Member Club plays its home matches.
14-May-2019 AGM	A lengthy discussion took place as a result of a proposal to remove the requirement enshrined in the current rules that a player must be a bona fide member of a Member Club. The proposal was defeated.
Mar-2020	All League activity suspended due to the Coronavirus lockdown.
02-Aug-2021	Request sent to all HDSBL Representatives to ascertain whether their Organisations were in a position for restarting the incomplete 2019/20 season with a completion deadline of 24‑Nov‑2021 (eg are both Members and visitors now allowed entry to premises).
14-Sep-2021 Committee Meeting	Decision taken to complete the 2019/20 season with a deadline of 24‑Nov‑2021. Decision taken to plan for the 2021/22 season to run from January 2022.
07-Dec-2021 Committee Meeting	Decision taken to send application forms for the 2021/22 season with a return closing date of 17‑Dec‑2021. Agreed that 2021/22 season formation be carried out by the Committee at a meeting immediately preceding the AGM on 30‑Dec‑2021. It was agreed that with the limited time available, league and Poore Cup matches would be scheduled as usual but individual knockout competitions would be run as one‑day competitions if venues could be found.
18-Jul-2022 AGM	A revised set of the League's rules were approved to :- to remove the use of "bona fide" when applied to a player's membership of an Organisation, replacing it with "recognised" ie recognised by both the Organisation and the HDSBL. (Some Organisations do not have official membership lists, so it is impossible for the League to confirm such "membership"). to apply a restriction on the introduction of a new team player part way through a season. to clarify the eligibility of players to enter individual knockout competitions even if not a team player. to place a player eligibility restriction in Poore Cup semi-final and final matches based on number of teams in a division to remove the use of the word "Club" in isolation to eliminate confusion between a "Member Club" and an "Organisation" where a Member Club plays its home matches. to take the opportunity to "tidy-up" some of the wording, some of which are as a consequence of the above.