A 97-year-old snooker institution in the heart of Brighton faces an uncertain future after St Matthias Church moved to evict the club that shares its grounds, leaving members, coaches, and the wider snooker community fighting to save a vital community space.
St Matthias Snooker Club, established in 1929 on the grounds of St Matthias Church in Brighton’s Five Ways area, is facing the possibility of eviction in what members describe as a sudden and unexplained reversal of a relationship that has endured for nearly a century.
The club, which has always operated responsibly, has never defaulted on rent and has no history of antisocial behaviour in its entire 97-year existence. Despite this, it was given no warning before the church moved to terminate its tenancy. Members say the decision contradicts the community values the Anglican Church publicly champions.
Nicolas Berger, a local PR consultant, speaking on behalf of the club, said: “Members feel that the somewhat combative stance taken by the church is incongruous with the community atmosphere they are keen to generate. While many of us understand the financial constraints that St Matthias operates under, we don’t feel it is fair to make us a victim of them. It should also be noted that previous church leaders at St Matthias have taken an interest in the club, including serving in a non-executive role on the committee. The current vicar, Tom Holbird, declined such a role.”
The stakes extend well beyond the club’s 100-plus long-standing members, some of whom are elderly and rely on the club as a primary social outlet. Mr Berger warned of wider consequences for competitive snooker across the city: “St Matthias Snooker Club currently runs five teams within the Brighton & Hove District Snooker League, including three in the Premier Division. Any changes to the club structure could have dramatic consequences for snooker players across the city.”
Brighton has emerged as an unlikely powerhouse in English amateur snooker, and St Matthias sits at the centre of that story. Mr Berger highlighted the club’s role in developing the next generation of talent: “Zak Richardson, the current English Amateur Champion, is from Brighton. He has played at St Matthias Snooker Club. The English Under-14 Champion, Adam Abbas, is also from Brighton and has played at St Matthias. One of the club’s youngest members is 14-year-old Matthew Jameson. Matthew regularly competes on the national junior tour and recently compiled his first century break. If the club is forced to close, it is difficult to see where the next generation of snooker players comes from.”
Mr Berger added. “The sad truth is that if this club is allowed to close, it’s never coming back. Once it’s gone…it’s gone.” It would be a tragedy for all concerned if this were to happen.
The club has launched a petition on Change.org, which has already gathered more than 1,100 signatures. Organisers are urging Brighton residents, snooker fans, and supporters of community sport in general to sign and share the petition widely.
Show your support for the members of St Matthias Snooker Club by signing the petition: https://www.change.org/p/save-st-matthias-snooker-club-c21b5f64-c4a9-45c5-b920-561d5371b e0b
