Terry Griffiths Matchroom

When Chris Mills, former editor of Pot Black magazine, visited Terry Griffiths Matchroom Snooker Club in Llanelli, his first comment was "It's dark in here".

The acerbic response from the club's illustrious owner came quickly - "Of course it is, it's a snooker club!"

In fact that was a mild understatement.

The Matchroom is more than merely a snooker club - It is: the culmination of a lifetime's dream; a gift to the people and players of Llanelli; a "mecca" of snooker, whose pilgrims visit from all over the globe; a "local" for its regulars, whose everyday dramas form a living soap-opera, both on and off the table and a venue for a rich variety of snooker - from in house and local league tournaments to Pro-Am Events and the famous Buckleys Best Bitter Challenge.

A lot of work was needed before THIS would become

The Terry Griffiths Matchroom

That's better!

The Matchroom today.

In September 1997, the Matchroom celebrated its 10th Birthday, having first opened its doors on 20th September 1987.

However the story of the club really began way back in 1961, when a traditional, back street temperance hall attracted a wide eyed 14 year old boy through its doors; its inimitable atmosphere capturing the imagination: with the personalities, players, matches and leagues and all their attendant dramas, tears and glories.

The club was "Hatchers", the boy was Terry Griffiths. Sadly Hatchers is no more, but its legacy lives on.

Terry progressed from that early start, through an Amateur career in the Llanelli League and then on to become a Welsh International; ultimately turning professional in 1978, and winning his historic World Championship in 1979 at his first attempt.

He quickly grew accustomed to the superb conditions that the professionals enjoyed, but his feet stayed firmly on the ground; he continued to follow local league snooker whenever possible, in particular watching his young son's progress in local competitions.

But as he did, his dream was nurtured, comparing the professional standards to the, generally dismal, conditions local players endured.

Terry's ambition was to open his own snooker club: to provide the highest playing conditions possible, both for its members and as a venue for local tournaments and to give something back to the game and his home town, from which he derived so much.

The club would provide an ideal "family environment" where both ladies and juniors would be welcome; unlike the majority of local venues, which were mainly pubs, or clubs with a snooker room added and very male oriented environments.

Your Host !

Terry's ideal club would echo the old open plan layouts of clubs, where members could sit at the bar, enjoy their "pint and a pie" whilst watching the play in progress on the tables, with the Match Tables - the hub of activity - closest to the seating area. However the décor, fixtures and fittings would encompass the finest that modern designs could offer.

In 1987 the dream became reality, as after six months of back breaking work, renovating a dilapidated snooker hall and sometime nightclub - mainly undertaken by Terry himself, with his family and friends, the club was eventually ready for business.

The Match Tables and

Bar Area

Opening night... Terry Griffiths and Jimmy White receive commemorative tankards from Buckleys Brewery

The opening night party launched the club as a very special place - Jimmy White came down to play in exhibition against the club's players, with Terry as compere for the evening - and this was exciting enough, as the whole town turned out in the hope of meeting Jimmy; but during the interval, the doorbell rang and totally unannounced - and much to Terry's surprise - Steve Davis and Barry Hearn strolled in the door, having travelled all the way from London to bring their best wishes in person, and so on that very first night the Matchroom played host to the World's two leading players.

The club is situated right in the centre of Llanelli town; next door to the Council Offices, it occupies the Glen Building, previously famous as the site of the Glen Ballroom, for many years a social focal point in Llanelli.

Today the "Matchroom" occupies a similar position of prominence in the town's sporting life. Since the famous Opening Night the Matchroom has played host to all the World's leading players: Stephen Hendry, Willie Thorne, Dennis Taylor, Tony Drago, Peter Ebdon, John Parrott, Joe Johnson, Mark Williams, Alan McManus, to name but a few, have all entertained the Llanelli fans with their skills.

Major events such as The (Barry Hearn) Matchroom League, The Liverpool Victoria Charity Challenge, The Buckley Best Bitter Snooker Challenge and major World Ladies' events have all taken place in the club, culminating in the Matchroom being selected to host the final stages of the World Ladies Snooker Championship in 1996; an honour for the club, and yet another treat for the local snooker fans.

The Buckley Best Bitter Snooker Challenge ran from 1988-1999 and was recognised as the most prestigious "pro-am" in Wales. Players travelled from as far afield as China, Hong Kong and Finland to compete and the event boasts a dozen or more professionals every week.

It proved an ideal training ground for budding Welsh players, and from its competitors have emerged the likes of Mark Williams, Matthew Stevens, Dominic Dale, Lee Walker, David John, Ian Preece and Ryan Day.

The Magnificent

Matchroom Arena.

The Buckleys Boys

The club is the home base for professionals Dominic Dale and Phil Williams and Welsh Number One Gavin Pantall.

The club has three teams participating in the Llanelli & District Snooker League . One in division one of the league, and two of the teams hold a place in Division two.

The club stages various events give everyone, regardless of standard, an equal chance of winning, including Club Handicaps, a Juniors Club with regular tournaments and a major Charity event every year in aid of Children In Need and the popular Lads 'n' Dads tournament at Christmas.

The Matchroom is rightly famous worldwide and visitors call to see the club on their trips to the UK, coming from all parts of the globe to see the club, and in particular, the magnificent 100-seater Matchroom Arena, specially built in the club to stage Tournaments, Exhibitions and Functions.

Visitors from the UK bring their cues along for a game, when visiting Wales for a holiday. Happily, they are normally guaranteed a "rainy day" during their holiday!

The Matchroom also plays host to three County Pool Teams, Dyfed Reds, Dyfed Blues and Dyfed Ladies, and the two pool tables are also used for Local League Tournaments and for Welsh Pool events.

In 1999 The Matchroom became the host club to the Welsh Junior Snooker Academy. All competitions were held at the club and players, guests and spectators have all enjoyed the superb Matchroom conditions and Llanelli hospitality. A new Junior Under 15 League was launched in June 2000 and Matchroom has an enthusiastic team in the new league.

In addition to the special events in the club, there are more than 900 members, who regularly enjoy a game of snooker, billiards, pool or darts in the club, have a meal and a drink and relax watching the tv. There is always a special atmosphere when a crowd gathers to watch a major rugby, football or snooker event on the tv.

So Terry's dream lives on.

Whether you are a regular or occasional visitor, everyone who enters the Matchroom is guaranteed a warm welcome from Terry, who retains his hands-on day to day management of the club, together with his son Wayne, and his staff; as well as, arguably, some of the best playing conditions to be found anywhere; from the 100 seater Matchroom "arena", the private room, two 'heated' match tables and 10 more top quality tables.