AS revealed in today’s Echo, the Super League WILL go ahead. Or will it?

The answer lies deep in the proposals sent out by the Southampton & District Social Clubs League in April 2008.

But let us first examine how the eight-team snooker Super League was born.

The management committee had three concerns:

1. The number of byes in the six divisions.

2. So called ‘yo-yo’ teams winning promotion from Division 1 only to become the whipping boys of the Premier.

3. The perception that the top teams were taking things too seriously compared to the lower leagues’ bid for a sociable night out.

Following a chance remark at a committee meeting by Derek Fry (Curdridge RBL), league secretary Malcolm Brooke drafted a blueprint for the future of snooker in Southampton.

The top eight Premier teams would form a Super League playing each other four times a season.

A discussion document was sent to all affiliated clubs and the story appeared in the Echo.

A forum on the league’s website received no posts. No comments or counter-proposals were sent to Brooke.

The plans were discussed, with no dissenters, at the delegates meeting at Woolston Trades & Labour Club in May 2008.

However, the proposed introduction of handicaps to the Town Championship and pairs competitions were shelved after protests.

The Echo ran the story.

In August at the AGM at Freemantle Social Club, a lively debate ended with a majority in favour. Seven clubs voted against. Some players complained they knew nothing about the plans.

Adam Nash (Woolston Cons A) immediately launched a campaign to reverse the decision. But hopes of forcing an EGM were dashed as the league dismissed any letters that were not from club representatives on headed notepaper.

No protests were heard at last week’s delegates meeting at Shirley Social Club.

Town Champion Mike Finn and Darren Pearce (Totton Rec A) have both stated they will boycott the Super League. It is understood that Sarisbury Social A and Totton Rec A may withdraw their teams. Wayne Crotty from Hythe Club A is dead against the idea. But Premier champions Woolston Cons A will compete – albeit under protest.

So what’s the answer?

The original discussion document said: “The proposal presumes that the current number of teams (87) will still be in the league at the time of the changes.”

So what happens if the league expands? Botley RBL have already decided to enter a second team. If two more teams enter – making 90 – then, to leave five other divisions of 16 sides in each, the Super League would need to be a ten-team league. Perfect.

And if more teams drop out, say down to 80, that would leave five divisions of 16.

Entries for next season close on July 31.

August 1 could be interesting.