The night Jeff James disappeared (From Daily Echo)

The night Jeff James disappeared

8:12pm Saturday 27th June 2009

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FORMER Town Champion Jeff James found himself in a ‘hole’ lot of trouble after an away snooker match.

Graham Hollick, 45, known as nipper by his St Denys Cons A team-mates, recalled his days playing for Bitterne Park WMC.

The team would chip in a couple of quid each to hire a mini-bus for away matches.

Back at the club after one such trip, James stepped out of the mini-bus straight into a workman’s hole and disappeared.

James, who beat Keith Hayward (City Trans) in the 1988 town final, soon reappeared looking rather startled.

The night I first met Richie Martin

Hollick also recalled a friendly match against Totton Rec at the long-gone Captain Morgan’s in Rumbridge Street, Totton.

“It was the first time I met Richie Martin,” said Hollick. “We left at 2am. I don’t even remember going home.”

Whether the two facts are connected is not clear.

Hollick has graced the Southampton & District Social Clubs League for 28 years. Turning out for St Denys Cons, Bitterne Park and City Transport, he has played at every currently affiliated club – bar Q World.

Subject to the Super League kicking off in September, Q World A and St Denys Cons A will be in Division 1 together.

His favourite away trip is Hythe Club (“we always have a scream”) and least favourite is Atherley Bowling Club (the snooker room “is too far from the bar”).