As snooker’s world championship final gets underway in Sheffield tomorrow, all eyes will be on the stars of the modern game.
But fans of the green baize might be less aware of the game’s strong historic link even closer to home.
Masham Snooker Club, which is located above Johnny Baghdad’s Cafe on the Square in Masham, claims to be the oldest snooker club in the country — and the evidence is compelling.
The club is tucked away off the square in Masham.
The club has book-keeping entries showing the delivery of a snooker table in 1871. Records show the table was brought from London by steam train and then completed its journey by horse and cart as Masham didn’t have a train station at the time.
The table, which cost £41, was sent to Masham Subscription Billiard Room, which had nine members.
Billiards is played on the same table as snooker and was the more popular game until snooker’s colour TV boom of the 1970s made famous the likes of Alex Higgins and Ray Reardon.
Club expenditure accounts from 1871 include a billiards table costing £41.
The Masham table pre-dates the 1895 formation of the Lyonsdown Club in New Barnet, Hertfordshire, which used to claim to be the oldest. It is still used today.
John Ellis, the previous chairman of Masham Snooker Club, first stated the club’s claim. Although it has never been officially verified, there is no known documentation of an older club.
The club caters for players of all abilities.
Christopher Tomsett, current chair of Masham Snooker Club, said Lyonsdown Club had accepted Masham’s claim when presented with the evidence.
Mr Tomsett added:
“They contacted us and accepted that we are formed earlier and amended their website accordingly, but asked if they could retain the right to be called the oldest club in London borough, which we agreed to.
“We have no others contesting our claim to date.”
It is no longer clear whether the Hertfordshire club still exists — but the Masham one most definitely does.
New players and existing members are welcome at Masham Snooker Club, where you can play on this remarkable Victorian table. But beware — the pockets are tighter than most!
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