IF there was a league of one-club men in the Southampton area, Chris Spratt would probably be...well, mid-table.

Spratt has played for Bishops Waltham Social Clubs’ snooker team for 50 seasons, but the trophy cabinet - like the cloth on the table - is looking decidedly bare.

“We’re always halfway up or halfway down,” explained the 64-year-old. “We’ve never really won anything on merit; we’ve just been promoted because other teams dropped out.

“I’ve got an edge to me still. If I can get my eye in I can do quite well - but it’s getting my eye in.”

He plans to captain the team for another ten years.

“When somebody puts their hand up and says ‘I’ll have a go’, I’ve let them. But they soon get fed up,” he said.

A former Hampshire League footballer for Botley, Spratt joined the team aged 15.

“I used to cadge a lift with them now it seems they all pile into mine,” he added. “It’s a case of ‘if you don’t turn up with the wagon how are we going to get there?’”

In 2002, the 1985 world snooker champion Dennis Taylor visited Bishops Waltham. Spratt played the loveable Irishman – but did not score a point.

Team-mate Frankie Smith recalled queuing outside for money matches.

“It used to be brilliant down here on a Friday,” said the 44-year-old.”We used to play for money all the time.

“The club opens at 7pm. If you weren’t outside that door by ten past six you wouldn’t get a game. It used to be packed.

“We always play for money, me and Chris. Tony (Apicella) will have a game for money – actually, all of them will.”

Spratt added: “You couldn’t wish for a better bunch of lads. There’s never any problems. Frankie likes to gob off a little bit - but it’s all innocent.”