Bob honoured for lifetime achievement

10:27pm Tuesday 13th May 2008

FORMER national amateur snooker supremo Bob Tonge has been honoured for his services to the sport.

The Bolton Snooker League secretary has been recognised for his key role in the development of the amateur game across England over the last 35 years.

The 75-year-old has been made a life member of the sport's national body which he served from being one of its founder members in 1972 until he retired three years ago.

He held a wide range of posts within the English Association for Snooker and Billiards, working his way up to the role of chairman.

He was also England team manager for 10 years, during which England were hugely successful with future household names such as John Parrott, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Peter Ebdon and Paul Hunter playing under the Breightmet man.

One of his greatest legacies to the English amateur game was the pivotal role he played in keeping it alive when it was in serious danger of collapsing.

It was in danger of folding as an organised sport several years ago when Tonge stepped in to save it.

He called a meeting in Wolverhampton which was attended by all the significant figures in the amateur and professional games and he was largely responsible for the thrashing out of a deal which enabled the amateur sport to continue.

It then went from strength to strength with Tonge continuing as one of its driving forces along with Bob Mason from Surrey who has also received life membership of the EASB.

Tonge's duties as an official of the association took him all over the world as England's delegate at meetings of European and world associations.

Bob was also secretary of the Home International Federation for a spell, reaching the position of vice chairman before his retirement three years ago. He used to play, scoring a highest break of 81 and representing Bolton twice, he was an A grade referee and examiner and he became an official of the Bolton Snooker League in 1962 and remains as secretary.

He also still acts as secretary of the North West Billiard and Snooker Association and is on the Spirit of Sport statue at Middlebrook.

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