WE'RE going snooker loopy for today's trip down memory 'frame'.

Tony Hakins ran Colchester Billiards and Snooker Club, in George Street, for 25 years, from 1975 until 2000.

He and father-in-law Geoff Sleebush were business partners during a golden era for the sport, thanks to the advent of colour TV, the popular Pot Black show and the rise of mercurial geniuses like Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins, Jimmy 'Whirlwind' White and serial winner Steve Davis.

The trio were among the big names to pay a visit to north Essex, along with former world champions Ray Reardon and John Spencer.

Gazette: Exhibition match - Graham Miles (left) and Alex Higgins (right), with organisers Geoff Sleebush (second from the left) and Tony Hakins

Exhibition match - Graham Miles (left) and Alex Higgins (right), with organisers Geoff Sleebush (second from the left) and Tony Hakins

Tony, now 84, reflects with huge fondness and believes it was the "perfect time" to be involved in snooker.

"They were wonderful times and I look back with great joy," he said.

"Geoff also ran the Lexden Star pub and had a snooker table there. It was very popular and that's why he suggested we went into business together and open the club.

"What a great move it turned out to be.

Gazette: One of the best - multiple world champion Steve Davis during one of his regular visits to Colchester Billiards and Snooker Club

One of the best - multiple world champion Steve Davis during one of his regular visits to Colchester Billiards and Snooker Club

"Some of the biggest names in the sport came to see us but my best memories are of our tremendous members and customers.

"I still bump into people now and we talk about the good old days.

"Snooker was absolutely huge in the 70s and 80s, because of colour TV and shows like Pot Black.

"Our time at the club couldn't have been better.

Gazette: Looking the part - the Gazette organised a Snooker Stars competition during the mid-1970s. These ladies were known as the Gazette Girls and, according to a cutting, they were drafted in to provide a "touch of glamour"

Looking the part - the Gazette organised a Snooker Stars competition during the mid-1970s. These ladies were known as the Gazette Girls and, according to a cutting, they were drafted in to provide a "touch of glamour"

"People were buying cues for the first time and everyone wanted to play and join.

"For the first seven years, there weren't any other snooker clubs in town.

"Others came along but didn't last and are all gone now.

"To start with, we had six tables and then we added three more upstairs.

Gazette: Big name - Colchester player Harry Urquhart watches on as then-world champion John Spencer breaks off during a special match in January 1976. According to a cutting, Colchester Billiards and Snooker Centre was "packed to capacity"

Big name - Colchester player Harry Urquhart watches on as then-world champion John Spencer breaks off during a special match in January 1976. According to a cutting, Colchester Billiards and Snooker Centre was "packed to capacity"

"In the early days, people would come along but couldn't get a game, such was the demand for the tables."

Tony, who has a daughter, Gemma, helped organise a hotly-anticipated exhibition match between Higgins and then-reigning Pot Black champion Graham Miles, at the Embassy Suite, in 1975.

Sought-after tickets cost just £1.50 and £1.25.

Higgins, who had lifted the world title in 1972 and went onto win it again a decade later, stayed in The George Hotel, in High Street.

Gazette: Rising star - a young Jimmy White received his prize from a representative from sponsor Greene King

Rising star - a young Jimmy White received his prize from a representative from sponsor Greene King

"There were 400 people there that night. The atmosphere was incredible and Graham won 6-3," said Tony, who lives in Coggeshall.

"Alex went on to develop a bit of a wildman reputation but when he came to us he was as good as gold.

"He didn't cause us any problems and was a genius at the table.

"He was different from all the other players and took on shots others wouldn't even consider.

Gazette: Snooker loopy - Tony Hakins

Snooker loopy - Tony Hakins

"Several other big-name players came to us in the following years.

"Jimmy White won a competition when he was just 14.

"He was a brilliant player and a lovely fella. We kept in touch for years.

"Steve Davis came down regularly and, as both a player and person, he was one of the best.

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"Ray Reardon and John Spencer also came along and both were world champions."

Dennis Taylor, the 1985 champion, had also been due to appear but his exhibition match was cancelled because of security fears, following IRA bombings.

Mr Sleebush passed away in 1997.