Dedicated Jack is four-midable

7:45pm Tuesday 17th July 2007

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WHILE presiding over last week's presentation evening for the Blackburn CIU Snooker League, federation secretary Jack Houghton suddenly felt a four-midable' sense of déjà vu.

For the evergreen septuagenarian is now celebrating four decades of association with indoor sports in the East Lancashire area.

It was in fact 40 years ago to the day that Jack, now 77, took up his apprenticeship as a steward at Mill Hill WMC.

But he admits that his passage into the profession was far from expected.

"I had been involved in something of a skirmish a few days earlier," explains Jack. "And when a committee meeting at Mill Hill was called, I thought I was turning up for a disciplinary hearing.

"But low and behold, I was actually praised for my heavy-handed actions - not that you'd get away with that nowadays - and I was offered the position of steward!"

After six years at Mill Hill, Jack has since held similar roles at the Orchard Club, Longshaw Club and Queens Park - as well taking up and then giving up on the idea of retirement - before taking up his current position at Poplar Social Club in Accrington two years ago.

He was also made vice-president of the National Union of Club Stewards in 1995 - a position he held for six years - and became secretary of the B01 branch of the GMB Union about four years ago.

But snooker secretary Jack, who lives with his wife Agnes in Lynthorpe Road, Blackburn, fears that the sport he loves has seen better days.

"The game has changed dramatically over the past 40 years," said Jack. "At one time, we had 30-odd clubs in the Blackburn and District Federation, but now we've only got 10 or 12.

"The boozing trade has quietened off and without question, this has had a detrimental effect in terms of public participation. Legislations have just killed them.

"The smoking ban has also had an effect - not so much at Poplar - but some clubs in Blackburn are definitely struggling.

"All the characters have gone out of the game in Blackburn and Accrington also. But it's the company and friendliness that I do get from members of the general public that have kept me involved for so long.

"I must also pay a hug thank you to the sponsors of the Federation - the likes of Thwaites Brewery in Blackburn, Hydes Brewery in Manchester, the Lancashire Telegraph and Red Rose Leisure - for without them, we'd be finished!"