BILL Dunkley (no relation) reckons you need a passport or a boat to reach some of the far-flung venues in the Southampton & District Social Clubs League.

The captain of the Warsash-based Division 3 snooker side Salterns Working Mens Club B faces a 73-mile round trip to Ashlett Club, near Fawley, or just over a mile – if he swims.

Dunkley said: “Sometimes you need a passport to go to some of the clubs.

“Just across the river here is Ashlett. It’s a mile away as the crow flies.

“Most of their players are RNLI so they could get transport across quite easily, land at the School of Navigation pier and just walk up the road.”

Luckily, there is no Ashlett team in Division 3 this season. However, the promotion of Division 4 champions Sway Social means Salterns face a mammoth 81-mile round trek into the depths of the New Forest – at least for this season.

Meanwhile, I was pleasantly surprised to find a pair of rare boiler drinkers in the Salterns B side. I thought that the half mild/half brown concoction went out with long hair and frayed jeans.

But no. In the outer eastern reaches of the social clubs league, where half the vast car park has been sold for building land, Dunkley and teammate Lester Hudson can still be found every Monday sinking pint after glorious pint.

Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here

Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here