THE death of Jim Best at the age of 52 has deprived the Farnham Billiards & Snooker League of one of its finest and most popular players.

Over some 25 years, he won more than 65 trophies, either as victor or runner-up, playing snooker with distinction for Fernhurst in the Midhurst League, and Shottermill and Breaks (Aldershot) in the Farnham League, before discovering the attraction of billiards with Farnham Conservative Club.

Former Farnham League chairman Colin Hoy knew Jim Best well and summed up the secret of his success. "How do you become a better snooker player? Jim's answer was 'practice, and the more skilful your company, the more skilful you become.' Jim practised this over many years with much success."

So keen was he, Colin said, that Thursdays found him in the Shottermill 'A' team playing in the Farnham League with Ted Brooks, Stuart Quinnell and Andy Knight. Fridays were at the Fernhurst Club playing in the Midhurst & Petworth District Snooker League with Derek and Stuart Quinnell, Dave Howarth and Keith Blank. In the late seventies this was the team to beat.

He was coached, having aspirations to turn professional, but with a growing family at his Haslemere home and involved in his busy landscaping business, he withdrew from competitive play for some time. However, in his absence, representing him in the Farnham League were sons Andy and Chris.

Upon his return to league play, he shared the Farnham League's Snooker Doubles Cup in successive seasons.

In the 2000/2001 season, he was the snooker singles champion and team-mate Jim Banks added the billiards singles title to make it a Farnham Conservative Club double.

Billiards offered him a new challenge and he joined Jim Banks, another old friend and a specialist at the sport, at the Conservative Club. "He had been one of the best snooker players around for years and then he became very good at billiards," Jim Banks remembered.

When the Farnham League, at the second attempt, won the Harrow Inter-League competition, Jim Best played in every round. They confirmed their success by retaining the trophy the following year.

In the nineties, Jim became an active member of the Farnham League committee, only resigning his position at the onset of his last illness.

The Farnham & District League's sympathy goes to Jim's wife, Margaret, and sons James, Chris, Andrew and Lawrence.