13/11/2025
What a year it's been! Started out just wanting to share my passion for English pool in Thailand and spreading the game (goal still the same, never been about social media monetisation)...
From the early days was lucky enough to strike up a relationship with Alan & Iain, the masterminds behind 8 Ball Direct and Smart rack and am so fortunate to have their support on this journey...
Having my pops come over to Thailand, at 93 years old, watch him play his first game of pool with his 9 year old grandson was priceless ❤️
The support from family n friends both back home and here has been energising...
In the early days there were also other online inspirations, Attacking8Ball was a pleasure watching you tour S.E. Asia along with watching just how much The Routine Instructor Certified Snooker & 8 Ball Coaching has achieved 🙏
From those early days, there was one person who I not only admired for his talent and dedication, but now have a new family member from the Philippines, Bernie Abesamis insane vision and creativity....skies the limit brother, one day the world will see you...
One of the biggest obstacles I faced early on, was the majority of tables in Thailand, stem from American style tables, and despite having my original table re-cushioned with Rasson Rails, Pockets shimmed and a CBPA Royal grey fitted to mimic the UP game I was watching, it was never going to be an International 8 Ball compliant table, so I took the plunge...the Rasson Song era became a reality with the help of Thailand Pool Tables, it's not the Apollo as used by UP as not available here, but it's sister model The Vanquish (5th one sold here)....again the boys at 8 Ball Direct came good, hooking us up with what we believe was the first Teal820 in Thailand, ProCups & Dynas incoming...
Now we had a bit of authenticity more relationships developed...watching the guys from OnlyFrames keeping it real, striking up great conversation with Adam, from El Banditos killing it ❤️...started watching a gal by the name of Chucky Preston Cuesports NI and saw straight away what a talent she was, jaw dropped to the floor when I saw her competing for her country in UP along with banter from her side kick Just James ...
At the same time absolutely fell on my feet, was trying to find a super soft tip over here, but just couldn't find what I wanted, so looked back in the UK and came across Custom Cues who also run Triple Crown Tips....if their tips are good enough for champions, they're good enough for me....but as luck would have it, the owner/partner Ruairi, lives over here and has looked after me 🙏...
But the international connections didn't stop there.... Next was Amby on the Baize , a fantastic snooker player and pool player from S.Africa....didnt stop there...next I met a chap called Chileshe Mubanga, lovely guy...amazingly he was Zambian National BlackBall champ 2024...
Didn't stop there either, next had a meeting online with Scott Ryan, CEO of UPUSA and met Leon from the IEBF, thank you so much for trying to open doors 🙏🙏🙏...
For this absolutely amazing year, it's back to the UK and saving the best until last...I made the decision to join an online coaching group, after all, if I was going to try and promote the game here, I'd need to try and up my own game...
Little did I realise what a support network I'd just entered, gonna be hard for me to mention you all but this is for you all, Richard Clarke , John Bombie Stewart, Mark Court, Mark Simnett, amazing players...sorry if I've missed others but one very special connection, my partner in crime and detention Paul Nicholas ...
So I know I've waffled on...it's what I do 🤣 but I wanted to save the biggest thanks until last...one guy, above all, has taken me under his wing....now I know everyone can only do so much, some it's naturally easy, some work their socks off and can't cut it...I'm ok with that...but what has been more than amazing, I can only liken to, having a World Champion in your corner....the dedication this guy has given to his craft is unbelievable but the willingness to share that with others...is special, very, very special, thank you so much Kev for all you do The 8ball pool coach ...
(Quick edit, the driving force behind Kev's equipment too, K Jones Cues , sorry omitted from original post but if Kev1 swears by Kev2s cue, you'll not go far wrong)
What a year!!!! Thank you all for all of your support and encouragement 🙏🙏❤️❤️🎱🎱
