Good morning to all our supporters, players, captains, venues, staff and everyone who has been part of the APL community.

For one final time as Chairman, I simply want to say thank you.

Thank you for your time, your efforts, your friendship and your continued support of this league. Most of all, thank you for the many years of incredible memories that we have created and shared together.

Stepping down as your Chairman has been one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. For many different reasons, we have arrived at this moment, but I want everyone to know just how much I have genuinely loved leading this league.

It has been far more than simply holding the title of Chairman.

Over the past few days, removing myself from the groups that I created and have been part of for so many years has been incredibly difficult. Each one felt like closing another small chapter of something that has been such a huge part of my life.

For over a decade, I have been completely invested in the APL. I have given it everything I could because I wanted to give something back to the players, teams, venues and community that make this league what it is.

To have had the opportunity to lead it has been a huge privilege, and one that I will always be immensely proud of.

I sincerely hope the APL continues to grow and evolve for many years to come, while never losing sight of what I believe makes it special — supporting all of our venues, all levels of players and every person who simply wants to be part of our game and community.

I leave knowing that the league stands in a strong, stable and wonderful position.

And from that position, Matthew Coleman will now take over and continue to build upon the foundations and work that have been put in place.

I wish Matthew the very best as your new Chairman. I hope you will support him, work with him and give him the opportunity to lead the APL into its next chapter.

I also wish every member of the new committee every success. Look after the league, look after its people and always remember who and what the APL exists for.

As for me, I look forward to seeing many of you again across the tables — only now from a very different perspective.

No Chairman. No title. Just Zack.

So, for the very last time as your Chairman…

Thank you.

Thank you for trusting me, supporting me and allowing me the privilege of leading your league for all these years.

I wish every one of you the very best of health, happiness and success — both on and off the tables, this season and for many years to come.

The memories and friendships will remain with me long after the title has gone.

It has been an incredible journey, and one I will never forget.

Yours, for the final time, as your outgoing Chairman,

Zack Harden
Outgoing APL Chairman ????

Ashford Pool League – AGM Update & Committee Announcement

We would like to thank everyone who attended last Thursday’s AGM at the Albion. It was a productive meeting and several important proposals were voted through.

Your committee for the forthcoming season has been re-elected, with three new members joining us. Roles have now been assigned as follows:

Main Committee
• Chairman: Zack Harden
• Secretary: Kenny Sharpe
• Treasurer: Dave Coker

Premier Division Delegates
• Matthew Coleman
• Zack Harden

Division One Delegates
• Shane Sims
• Dave Coker

Division Two Delegates
• Zara Waters
• Steve Cooper

Division Three Delegates
• Ashley Robinson
• Jake Horrocks

Social Media & Communications
• Matthew Coleman
• Ashley Robinson

Interleague update Team
• Mike Yarnell
• Kenny sharpe

Please keep up to date with league news via Facebook.

Competition Committee Panel
• Kenny Sharpe
• Steve Cooper
• Matthew Coleman

Presentation & Events Team
• Shane Sims
• Zara Waters
• Dave Coker
• Zack Harden

AGM Proposals

The AGM agenda was sent to all teams prior to the meeting. All three proposals were discussed, voted on, and passed.

Key changes for the new season:

Premier & Division One will now use a referee and timer for all matches.
This is a very positive step and will help remove unnecessary tension if any issues are missed. From experience at Interleague, refereeing and timing before each game:
• Keeps players organised
• Speeds up the night
• Creates a fairer playing environment

Timers will be shared with team groups shortly.

Trio KO will replace Doubles KO for this season’s competition.

Late players rule
Please ensure all teams refresh themselves on this rule and apply it correctly when players are running late.

Thank you again to everyone who attended and continues to support the Ashford Pool League. We’re looking forward to another great season ahead!

Ladies and gentlemen, I’ve shared many messages This evening through my socials, in relation to the ever popular and increasing singles league which the commitee there are doing a smashing job. I highly recommend joining if you desire to challenge yourself, meet some really nice people along the way, and whatever your level, there will be a division that caters for all. Fantastic match format with extended time and frames at the tables. I’ve uploaded there poster which you can find under Information. From here the poster is free download.

Places are going fast! ESPECIALLY now there is up to 1K in prize finds!!

Register your place for the upcoming season!

Register @ aplsingles.com


Many thanks In advance. Please share with all your players, or anyone who maybe intrested in giving this a go. The fees are so low that I’m sure all will enjoy the season.

Many thanks

Zack
APL Secretary

With Pool in Ashford certainly showing signs of progression and enthusiasm, why not give this a try. Is great for some extra practice and to play multiple frames against a range of competition! Practice makes perfect right!


*NEW SEASON: Ashford Singles League registration closes Sunday 30th March*

If you are interested in playing please contact Alex Hoyle (07834 069134) or Shane Sims (07967 956618).

Following another successful season, which saw 39 players compete across 3 divisions between January and March, we are looking for new players to join to compete in the upcoming season, which will start from 20th April.

Entry is £26 (£20 refundable deposit on completion of matches).

All players fulfilling their fixtures qualify for the end of season knockout - last season’s knockout winner and runner up shared prize money of over £200.

Each division has winner’s trophy, plus promotion/ relegation. All results managed via website, with live league table and stats.

Expectation is to play one match per week across 12 weeks. International rules. Self-funded.

The Singles league committee will determine new player divisional placement based on each player’s relevant competitive history.

The beauty of the singles league is the ability to play where and when you want, subject to your opponent. And best of 12 frame matches give players a great opportunity to play longer competitive games.

For more information visit https://www.aplsingles.com/index.php.

Congratulations to the Locomotive B for winning this year's shoot-out beating the Racketeers in the final.

The Loco survived 2 blackball shootouts on the way to final, and even went one nil down in the final to a golden break. The score in the final was 2-1.

Congratulations to the following prize winners
£50 Raffle - Kevin North
Ashford United family ticket - Jake Horrocks
£80 Card - Harley Nevanni
£100 Card - Lewis Thorne

Thanks to everyone that came and made the evening a success.
A huge thank you to Jo and her team at the Ashford Club for hosting the evening and keeping us all refreshed.

This coming Thursday the 7th March for the second time since his passing we contest the Jim Williams X pairs. I’m delighted with the numbers for this as we’ve had 59 pairs which is almost perfect.

Please see below a brief description of the format.

* venues are drawn, They are all luck of draw, Please respect the landlords and venues. We’ve selected all venues that entered pairs. They do not have to open tables. So expect to pay for tables. You may be pleasantly suprized.

* Typically there are 4 Doubles pairs at each venue with one winner coming through on the night last 64 and 32.

* Online match 1 has been drawn and will start at 8pm. Please make sure all are there ready to start.

* Each match will contest of 5 maximum frames. 2x singles. Doubles and 2 x Singles. The winner is the 1st to 3.

* upon conclusion of 1st match the Winner shall await the winner of match 2 for a final on the night between two winners.

To try to simplify to prevent doubts below I will summarize the 1st match.

Venue Locomotive

Match 1: Bob Thompson & Owen Thompson vs Graham Haywood & Andy Stevens

Frame 1: Bob (1). Vs. Graham (1)
Frame 2: Owen (2) vs Andy (2)
Frame 3: Dutch Doubles
Frame 4: Bob ( 1) vs Andy (2)
Frame 5: Owen (2) vs Graham (1)

Match 2: Will Follow in same ordering. Followed by a final on the night as Match 3.

Dutch doubles should be played with a good spirit of the game, Talking between shots should only be carried out before a shot is taken. Whilst the visit is in play until a shot is missed then further discussion isn’t permitted.

I wish all a fantastic night and hope we hane some great games good luck to all players.

Zack
APL

Event: APL ShootOut 2024
Date: 4th January 2024
Time: 19:30 start
Venue: ASHFORD CLUB

Details:
- 5 man team (closely matching your Thursday team)
- 1 set shoot out (Best of 5, or the leading team after 20 minutes)
- Black ball shootout to determine the winner if the match is a tie after 20 minutes
- 30 second shot clock
- Limited to 32 teams
- Competition run on a Knockout basis
- £1 entry per person (minimum of £5 per team)
- £100 to the winning team
- £50 prize to a randomly drawn player in the event

If your team cannot get a team, or has too many players please let the committee know as we have several players in the same boat that want to play - we will field as many teams as possible.

The APL Committee would love all teams to attend - please do what you can to be involved.

Any questions please message me

Kenny
07843 625646

As you are probably aware Darren Bispham, manager of Singleton Barn, passed away after a battle with cancer within the past few weeks.
Singleton Barn have been a big part of our pool league for many years and I am sure you will join me in sending your condolences on to his family and the Singleton Barn family that lives and breathes the pub. Darren committed his time and effort to even play in the league himself years ago and will be sorely missed by all.

There is a celebration of life for Darren on the 25th June from 2pm. Darren and his family extend the invite to all to ensure his life is celebrated and remembered as it should be.

RIP Darren from all within The APL

The season kicks off on the 16th February, fixtures online and a printable PDF available under the Files menu.

A high level overview of what's coming this season...
- 28 teams across 3 divisions

- Team Knockout (handicapped scoring). Draw online.

- Plate KO for the 1st round losers above.

- Dutch doubles competition (cash entry, all money in all money out --- more details to follow).

- Ashford Singles event (cash entry, all money in all money out --- more details to follow)

Plus a potential of 2 more events during the season.

Best of luck to all, have a great season.

Congratulations to Sammy Foreman, Singleton Barn A on winning the APL Ladies KO.

Sammy went undefeated on the night to win the first APL Ladies KO.
7 Ladies from our league did battle at the British Rail Club to find our first winner. Thanks to the British Rail Club for hosting the evening.

The League aim to make this an annual event.

Well Done Sammy!