*** URGENT *** 22nd October, 2007

F.A.O. The Beverley Pool League.

Please make copies available to;

Louise Teal (Chairman)
Steve Greenhailgh (League Secretary)
Richard Anderson (Knockout Organizer)
and other committee members


We wish to bring to your attention the totally unacceptable behavior of one of the Beverley Pool League teams (Lincoln Lakers), at a match, yesterday evening, at the White Horse Inn, Beverley.

It was reported by numerous witnesses, that the team in question, arrived at the venue in a very noisy / boisterous state. It seemed that at least some of the team were worse for drink - and shouldn't have even contemplated playing a sporting match.

Furthermore, things went from bad to worse, when the team insisted to the Landlord (relief Manager), that he paid for their games. It is worth pointing out here, that the Brewery (Samuel Smiths Old Brewery (Tadcaster) Ltd.), have no interest in sponsoring / funding any pool operations. It is in fact up to the team individuals to fund any costs.

The Landlord tried to calmly explain this to the offending pool team (Lincoln Lakers), who then became abusive, aggressive, and threatening. Finally, the Landlord had no option (other than calling the Police), but to use a maintenance key to open up the table, to try and calm the team in question. By doing so, he has jeopardized his contract with the brewery - and must personally stand any costs.

If all of this wasn't bad enough - the team continued throughout the entire evening to be consistently noisy, rude swearing and threatening. Their opponent team didn't stand any chance of a fair match - so it was quite evident, that the Lincoln Lakers had absolutely no interest in common decency or sportsmanship.

Their volume of shouting and swearing was such, that it was clearly audible throughout the premises, and in the car park. Several regulars left the pub shortly after arriving. Some elderly patrons were visibly quite upset, if not frightened. Some new patrons, purchased beverages, found comfortable seating, and then promptly left - leaving half-full glasses. Many on leaving, were heard to make reference to the 'noisy yobs' being the reason for their rapid exit.

And then things got worse. Bangs and other noises were heard from the courtyard (adjacent to the pool room) which sounded as if some damage / vandalism might have been taking place. This information only became available after the team had left - as the witness was too frightened to mention it at the time. Further investigation - following the noisy, abusive retreat of the team - revealed some possible damage, and absence of one or more pool cues (allegedly thrown over a wall). However, it will only become more evident, the extent of any damage, later today when the CCTV tapes, pool room and courtyard are further examined.

For your information, in addition to the main system, the premises have two camera's in the pool room, and one external unit in the adjacent courtyard. The tapes may be preserved for any possible Police involvement - relating to 'behavior likely to cause a breach of the peace', and 'vandalism'.

Needles to say, the Lincoln team will no longer be welcome at the premises - and neither will any of it's team members on an individual basis. As the White Horse participates within the Beverley Pub Watch Scheme - there may be the possibility that some individuals may be barred from all participating pubs under the scheme.

When your committee made the arrangement with the Landlady (Anna) to include the pub as a participating knockout venue, we assume you made clear your requirement (if its is a statutory requirement) that the venue would have to fund all games. If not, then there is an obvious communication weakness which needs addressing immediately.

We trust you take this complaint very seriously, and await with some interest and concern, to see what actions the Beverley Pool League propose to take. We assume an effective and well-measured action will negate the need for this detail to be included to the league sponsor and English Pool Association.

We await your reply.

On behalf of the Staff and Management, Patrons and Pool Teams.
White Horse Inn
Hengate
Beverley