Frames to sponsor U21 event

A COULSDON snooker club frequented by a host of green baize stars on a daily basis has not taken its eye off the grass-roots game.

Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry and national treasure Jimmy White often practise at Frames Sports Bar along with resident professionals Marco Fu, Kurt Maflin and Michael Georgiou.

Despite rubbing shoulders with these household names, Tony Thompson, who bought Frames in January, 2012, has not got his head in the clouds.

The club, which has a junior pool and snooker section boasting more than 25 boys and girls aged seven and upwards, will sponsor a leg of next season’s Cuestars South of England Under-21 Gold, Silver and Bronze Tours.

“I have always had a great passion for snooker. Many of my friends were top amateurs and pro snooker players back in the late 80s and early 90s. So I never really left the scene.

“The dream was to always own my own club and produce stars of our own.”

The 48-year-old, in partnership with world number 14 Fu, manages the careers of Maflin and Georgiou.

Main picture. From left: Jimmy White, Tony Drago, Kurt Maflin, Michael Georgiou, Marco Fu.

For more information about Frames Sports Bar, go to www.framessportsbar.co.uk

Report by Tim Dunkley.