|
|
|
DENNIS ALDERSON Tribute by Chris Tupper in Brighton Finals night programme May 2000 Although most of you know, Bar Billiards recently lost a friend. Dennis Alderson ex-landlord of the Albion Inn, who sadly passed away on Sunday 9th April. It is always sad to report the death of any player, as bar billiards is a close community, but in Dennis' case he really was "Mr Bar Billiards" especially in Brighton. In his prime he played with and equalled the best. As his powers waned during the years (as it surely does with everybody) he was just as happy to play to any standard he could. Up to last year he was still President of our league, and had been for more years than I care to remember, but he felt he could no longer do the job. Indeed the men's singles trophy, the "one to win" arguably above all others, was purchased by Dennis and is still called "The Presidents Trophy". It is still our most magnificent trophy, and back then when it was purchased, must surely have cost a tidy sum. A case of putting your money where your heart is ! For many years he tirelessly campaigned on our behalf to make Brighton the best, and never failed to try to convince a landlord to put a table in that didn't have one, while in pursuit of his other great love.....real ale! He would also help anyone new to the game whoever he was, especially complete novices. He was always lavish in his praise if he thought they had played some good shots. Always telling them that if they carried on like that, they would become good players. (I remember when he said that to me, I already thought I was). I have yet to meet a person who had a bad word to say about Dennis, and now I never will. Because of his disarming and innocent nature you were always left with a smile on your face when you had been around him.
We have all got
our stories about Dennis. Some of his best were from Jersey which he loved as
much as anyone. Like the year he had Tony Franks (in those days an England
player and in his prime) all but beat in the quarter finals, with all the balls
on the table and the bar down. Only for Tony to clear the table including a red
and a white down the 200 hole to win. Dennis although disappointed, thought it
was fantastic, and shook him warmly by the hand (when the rest of us would have
done it warmly by the throat) Or the time he went with me into the Customs pub
on the esplanade, in the days when there were not many pubs that had real ale.
He was so excited when he saw that they had some. Although when we got it, it
was drinkable, but wasn't at its best shall we say. Dennis called the landlord
over and explained what he was doing wrong. To my surprise the landlord said he
was sorry, but he'd never dealt with it before and no one had shown him how to
look after it. Dennis immediately offered to show him, and within seconds was
behind the bar with the flap up, and in the cellar. I had just finished my
second pint
by the time he came up beaming, happy he'd converted yet another.... Dennis you
will be missed... Individual Trophies Won
Brighton League Performance Click here for League Matches Report Click here for player head to head report
No competitions entered |
