Ssb - lee doyle resigns from wpbsa board

[screw-back]

I cant believe Ian Doyle is walking away just five days before the worlrds .

It's Lee Doyle.

[Freddie Ng]

It's really a big lost to snooker world..

[hotpot]

It's Lee Doyle.

Good spot

[crush]

It's Lee Doyle.

and he is a brave man!

[snooky147]

I just can't believe that anyone here is surprised at this happening. It's the same old petty infighting that has been going on for years. Some of the things Hearn wants to do makes me feel physically sick. As a traditionalist I have a knee jerk rection to oppose change but I do realise that he has to be given a chance although he says "ability must be the only criteria to succeed". Well Barry, ability cannot be given the chance to succeed over short frame shootouts. A best of five is simply nothing more than a lottery.

[goldengirl]

"He may well be opposed to my plan to reinvigorate snooker for the benefit of all players and I therefore totally understand his reasons for resigning."

Well said Barry!
I have never heard such a load of rubbish spoken by anti-Hearn people. What are these "new proposals" from Doyle- are these the same "new proposals" we heard last year and the year before? I just cannot understand what the players could be against - they will have the same number of ranking tournaments as last season PLUS a lot of EXTRA opportunities to earn money & up their personal profile. And if the new events and new plans work out this will surely lead to new investors and sponsors wanting to get involved with new premier ranking events. If Barry Hearn makes loads of money from the game - great - because that will mean the game is earning money and so will the players!! At least with Hearn I think everyone will know exactly where the money is going and to whom.And if not surely the Board will be voted off.
As regards China surely Hearn has massive credibility out there as was it not Hearn that first went there with Matchroom??
What did the players get from the "reserves" held by WSA - nothing - but what did the Board members get - big salaries and expenses for little work and even less earning opportunities for the players they were representing!!
One thing is certain this is a last opportunity for ALL PLAYERS & SUPPORTERS to change the face of snooker and bring it into the 21st. century - and if there is any more backbiting, sniping and bitching for personal gains that is the end of the game.
I am so cross as I was so optimistic - get some women on the Board Barry to get some commonsense and fair play injected.

[1lawyer]

"He may well be opposed to my plan to reinvigorate snooker for the benefit of all players and I therefore totally understand his reasons for resigning."

Well said Barry!
I have never heard such a load of rubbish spoken by anti-Hearn people. What are these "new proposals" from Doyle- are these the same "new proposals" we heard last year and the year before? I just cannot understand what the players could be against - they will have the same number of ranking tournaments as last season PLUS a lot of EXTRA opportunities to earn money & up their personal profile. And if the new events and new plans work out this will surely lead to new investors and sponsors wanting to get involved with new premier ranking events. If Barry Hearn makes loads of money from the game - great - because that will mean the game is earning money and so will the players!! At least with Hearn I think everyone will know exactly where the money is going and to whom.And if not surely the Board will be voted off.
As regards China surely Hearn has massive credibility out there as was it not Hearn that first went there with Matchroom??
What did the players get from the "reserves" held by WSA - nothing - but what did the Board members get - big salaries and expenses for little work and even less earning opportunities for the players they were representing!!
One thing is certain this is a last opportunity for ALL PLAYERS & SUPPORTERS to change the face of snooker and bring it into the 21st. century - and if there is any more backbiting, sniping and bitching for personal gains that is the end of the game.
I am so cross as I was so optimistic - get some women on the Board Barry to get some commonsense and fair play injected.

110 should be working with Hearn not against him and visa versa this is a sad day for anyone who loves the sport.
I said to Barry Hearn going back to snooker must be like re-visiting an old girlfriend. Well it looks like the mother in law has just shown up.:snooker:

[JanieWatkins]

Well said Golden Girl - once and for all everyone needs to try and be objective and not look just from their own perspectives.

The whole future of the sport hangs in the balance, not the short term future of an individual player.

I do however fully understand concerns players have about voting away their ownerships and rights, that's a huge decision for them to make and they would have to have total trust and faith in Barry to commit to it.

For the past week or so there's been a great buzz around the game. You've had people like Fred Done of Betfred committing to extra years sponsorship of the World champs, and then all of a sudden today it feels like someone has taken a large pin and burst the bubble.

I feel that we now have to endure several weeks of claim and counter claims and another snooker civil war. But one in which both sides could totally destroy themselves and the sport.

[ferret]

You've had people like Fred Done of Betfred committing to extra years sponsorship of the World champs

He did not commit to extend the contract at all he had a joke about it with Barry at the press conference and that was all.

[goldengirl]

"Do you think that they will force their players to vote the way that the 110 management want? "

I fear that because the meeting and vote will be at the end of the WC and not the start most players will have disappeared on holiday and left their proxy vote with their management. There should be a secret ballot and ALL players eligible to vote should be forced to vote. Take ranking points away if they don't vote! This is just not their future but many peoples' future and livlehood - they must take responsibilty.

[1lawyer]

Thing is if Barry don't get control and then walks away who the bloody hell is running our sport?

Then with all the in fighting who the bloody hell would want to sponsor us?


Snooker is dead in the water if this does not go through...sod em all I'm off for a game:snooker:

[wildJONESEYE]

I cant believe Lee Doyle is walking away just five days before the worlrds .

spot on

hang the b******

[cajt]

Surely these guys have learnt from the mistake they made last time when they voted against Altium. That vote condemmed them and their fellow players to fewer tournaments and smaller prize funds. Now one third of all the competitors in each ranking event get absolutely nothing!

Hearn's proposals might not be ideal for everyone and I am certainly not a fan of one frame shoot-outs or best-of-fives but, and this is the big crunch question, what is the alternative? Back to the 1960s with half a dozen pros playing a few exhibitions?

Surely common sense will prevail. If not, God help snooker!!

[wildJONESEYE]

the worrieng thing is one of the people involved with Altium doesent back this proposal ie Lee Doyle the thing is the doyle desition to withdraw his suport is a persanality clash and sod all to do with the deal.

the question is will the players see that for what it is ?

[Terry Davidson]

I notice no one has mentioned how 110sport got the webcasting contract in the first place. With them sitting on the board of the WPBSA what chance do you think any competitive bids had to get that contract.

It's been the same over and over and over again. The WPBSA ex-board members looked after THEMSELVES FIRST and the players a poor second.

At least Barry has the modifying influence of Steve Davis sitting there along with Pat Mooney, which means John Higgins will have a strong voice too.

I expect a lot of 'were planning to' and 'if things work out' from Lee Doyle but nothing concrete. Hasn't Barry at least obtained 2 sponsors since he's been there?

That's more than the ex-board members did in 3 years I believe. At least there is a concrete proposal from Barry which will increase the money in the PLAYERS pockets and not in the pockets of the present board members.

Just read Clive's latest book and see how some the old WPBSA board members screwed around with the funds. Check out how Neal Foulds got an interest-free loan and then had it forgiven when his dad was Chairman. Look at the expenses booked during that period.

Since Clive hasn't been sued (yet) for liable by some of these people I can only assume what's in the book is the truth and they can't sure as he has the proof.

All of this has been caused over the years by player's apathy. They have always said 'we just want to play' and leave the management of the sport to real businessmen, but now that we have one there they are being convinced by the 'Dark Side' that they should manage the sport. What a load of s*h*i*t*e!!!!

Terry