Nobody could know better than Stan McKenna of the problems faced when the original United Kingdom Pool Federation was formed with him as chairman. The federation extended to Europe at a later date with members from individual  countries' players' associations meeting regularly with breweries, operators, manufacturers, the Press and tournament organisers. First to leave was the English Pool Association which wanted to maintain its own rules and feared the "tail might wag the dog". Gradually other organisations left and, far from bringing mutual understanding of pool's needs, a situation arose in which some, especially players, saw the industry as the masters and themselves as the workers.

Happily, most of those attitudes have vanished with the years as the financial rewards in pool became less and less at all levels. As McKenna recalled, television rarely showed live pool apart from the World Pool Association Finals held each year in Blackpool.  In France AFEBAS had taken the lead in forming a pool promotions company from its members, which was funded by the membership subscriptions of players who joined it in order to be able to play in its various contests.

Hence interest in pool is maintained by small competitions held between local sites and larger ones held on a national basis. Player members are kept up-to-date with news of contests, a player ranking system is maintained, league tables are made available and funds can be found where necessary for prize monies. Well why did we not think of that BAPTO members might enquire  Perhaps the answer could be that in France the pool table has a better recognised reputation because there are no street gaming machines to share machine rents with.

As an old professional England batsman once told me: "When the runs dry up go in and slog your way out of trouble." it's worth thinking about.

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