About Us
The Cumbria Pool Association was established in 1983 when the interest in 8 ball pool was at an all time high. Pool tables were new in pubs/clubs and everyone wanted to play! Local pool leagues & County teams across the country were developed along with national competitions being run on a regular basis with huge success. Today the interest in 8 ball pool within Cumbria is much more complex due to the veriety in what rules is being played, however the CPA remains committed to develop 8 ball pool with County.
Cumbria has a strong pool history since it was established in 1983 having been the first County in England to become National County Champions in both the A team & B team categories in 1994! A feat which has only been achieved on three other occasions. However it was back in 1988 when Cumbria won their first National Championship claiming the B team award with a strong team.
Cumbria has always struggled to match the consistency of other top counties such as Lancashire, Staffordshire & Leicestershire however the CPA has always been a hard team to beat.
Today’s players such as Alan McLeod from Whitehaven represented England not so long ago, Denis Horan from Barrow is currently an international player, Matt Brannan from Penrith was a professional not too long ago on the IPA tour, as was Garry Southern from Maryport, all of which prove that there is still some pedigree out there. The future is also bright with the likes of Kevin Kirkham from Bootle who won last year’s county championship at just 19!
However history has proven that Cumbria has produced great players in the past which many regard as the best ever from the County in the form of Clive Ford, Tony Rushforth & Neil Armstrong all from Whitehaven winning seven county singles titels between them, and then there is Dave Thompson from Wigton who was consistently seen as the biggest threat to any money competition going in the mid to late 90’s. Let’s not forget the trio of players from Barrow who have proven records at county level Martin Davies, Kevin Johnson & Mark McMurdo and holding 5 county single titles between them!!
The Cumbria Pool Association strives to promote pool within Cumbria however the association needs the support from local leagues to help improve playing standards across the county.