No North West Snooker

A sad day, a very sad day.

I sit here, typing with a black arm band on.

The Grand Prix is no longer in Preston.

Preston, the home of Ian McCulloch, Stuart Pettman Steve Rowlings (my one time coach I'll have you know - a mighty MIGHTY fine player and a hell of a coach) Freddie Flintoff and er... Preston North End football club, has been robbed of one of the best events in the snooker calendar.

Why oh why? - No idea to be honest

So where has the event been moved too?

My first thought was, due to WorldSnooker's efforts to rationalise the organisations outgoings (save money), I thought that they (WorldSnooker) had deceided to go back to the 'grassroots' and host the event at Freckelton Working Mens Club*. But alas, how wrong can a Northern Snooker Hero (me) be......

So where did they decide to stage the event? Probably the hardest location on the mainland UK to get to.... nope not Coventry but Aberdeen.

Yes ladies and gents.... Aber-friggin-deen. Home to oil rig works and, generally, cold Scottish people.

Reason? - no idea

Actually there are two reasons...

A) Graeme Dott ('who he?' I hear most people cry) the munchkin sized 'wee one' is the World Snooker Champ

or

B) that some Highland sports council / local council has stumped up 80 grand towards the staging of the event

What will they achieve by moving the event millions of miles from civilistaion (well approx 186 miles away from England anyway)? Not too sure but I do know 1 thing... I won't be in attendance.

* I made that up apologies to any real institution called that