Changes in WPBSA hierarchy
One board member has resigned and a new one been appointed to WPBSA Board
Lee Doyle, Chairman of 110sport, has announced his resignation from Bary Hearn's new look WPBSA Board.
Barry Hearn, who is set to reinvigorate snooker, with a raft of radical proposals, welcomed Doyle's resignation.
"As a manager of players and promoter of rival events in important territories like China Lee’s position as a Board Director, where confidential information becomes available to effectively a competitor, has become untenable.
"He may well be opposed to my plan to reinvigorate snooker for the benefit of all players and I therefore totally understand his reasons for resigning.
"I’m glad to say that the remaining Board Members, Steve Davis, Brandon Parker and Pat Mooney are, like me, totally committed in supporting these new proposals for taking the game forward and look forward to discussing them with the Players at the meeting planned for 5th May."
Doyle was equally outspoken in giving his reasons for stepping down.
“I feel that my current position as a Director on the Board of the WPBSA is now untenable, given that I am completely opposed to the proposals the Chairman, Barry Hearn, has laid out whereby the controlling rights in the Company are handed over to him.
“I do understand what Barry is trying to achieve in snooker and we have discussed this at considerable length. But on this one we agree to disagree.
“Barry has always run his own business and made his own decisions. However, I feel extremely uncomfortable where from my perspective decisions are being taken on contracts without me being consulted as a Board member.
“I do wish some of the players would look at these proposals from the business angle and see the bigger picture and the implications going forward for the game, rather than turning everything in to some kind of popularity contest between those they like and those they don’t want to listen to.”
Hearn wasted little time in announcing a new board member had been appointed.
A WPBSA Press Announcement gave the following information.
The WPBSA are delighted to announce the invitation to David Douglas, the former Detective Chief Superintendent of the Metropolitan Police Service, to become a Director of the WPBSA.
Chairman Barry Hearn commented “David Douglas has had a hugely successful career with the Metropolitan Police culminating in him being awarded the Queen’s Police Medal for distinguished service to United Kingdom policing.
"David’s primary responsibility as a Director of the WPBSA will be centred on disciplinary matters, aimed at maintaining the integrity of the game necessary in today’s sporting market.
"Having worked with David as Chairman of the Darts Regulation Authority, I admire his no nonsense approach where he has brought a new level of credibility and one that will be very valuable to the ongoing success of the sport of snooker.
David’s appointment will be ratified at the next Board Meeting and I see him as a major part of the new world of snooker going forward.”
Following the changes the WPBSA Board is now composed of Barry Hearn (Chairman), Steve Davis, Brandon Parker, Pat Mooney and David Douglas.
