Geoff with Mark Selby at stapleford cue club Nottinghamshire ( August 2011 )
I first became interested in the art of Billiard fitting in 1976/77 . I had just left the Army and was looking for work. My uncle had started a business a few years earlier trading in Pool and Snooker tables using a skilled Billiards fitter subcontractor named Mick Robb who had a firm called Belvoir Billiards based in Watton near Grantham. I really admired Mick as I could see he was a skilled craftsman and cabinet maker. He quickly took me under his wing and trained me for the next 5 years.
In 1980 Mick advised me to join a proper Billiards firm in Nottingham called Elston and Hopkin Billiards Ltd in order to further my career.
I followed Mick’s advice and I went to work for John Hopkin the same year. I could not have wished for a better company to work for and I rapidly improved my skills as a billiards fitter. Although I had by that time been in the trade for 5 years, I did not class myself as fully skilled until a further 3 years had passed. My work partner at Elston and Hopkin was Roger Perczyhinski. We clicked immediately working extremely well together and I also learnt a lot from him.
I must also say that our boss John Hopkin was without doubt the best boss I have ever worked for. He never had a bad word to say about anyone and he always treated us well with bonus schemes and extra Holidays. We repaid his kindness by working extremely hard for him.
By 2004 the company was struggling and John Hopkin was well beyond retirement age. He sold the name and goodwill of the company to Universal Logic who still use the trading name Elston & Hopkin. However the limited company (Elston & Hopkin Billiards Ltd) was closed down and ceased trading.
Roger left after just 6 months working for Universal Logic and he set himself up on his own. I stayed for a further 8 years but in 2012 I decided it was time to go it alone and work for myself. All of the training and experience I gained over the previous 37 years stood me well in my trade.
I have just about worked on every cue sports table in the industry from the early Reni Pierre and Rutigliani ring pocket pool tables to steel block full size snooker match tables. There have been some oddities too. I have worked for famous sportsmen, and people in the entertainment business, snooker professionals, rock stars and working class people such as coal miners who have their own table at home .
I have also worked for many Gov’t institutions such as Prisons , Hospitals , Army , Navy , Air force , and large organisations with Multiple tables on sites all around the UK includeing holiday camps such as Butlin’s ,
I have also experience of Working abroad in such countries as Switzerland , France , Germany , Belgium , Holland , Spain and Portugal , plus the Canary islands .
I treat every client on a level basis. I strive to do an excellent job and I have gained very good feedback from many happy customers.
If you require any work on your cue sports table, whether it be pool, snooker, bagatelle, bar billiards or anything else then do not hesitate to get in touch.
ADVICE IS ALWAYS FREE.
*** It is now 2026 and a few years have passed by since writing about myself …Geoff Large , and I am coming up to 50 years in the Billiards fitting trade as a Billiards fitter , I am showing no signs of retiring as I love my work . in fact I am just about to buy another new van .
God willing , my helath will stand up and I have a few years left in me yet .
As long as I can do the work to a high standard , I will carry on working well into my 70s , we used to have a fitter named Joe at Elston & Hopkin who was well into his 80s , and still working at 83 three days a week , he was told to finally retire and once he did passed away .
John Hopkin worked well into his 70s and close to 80 when he finally retired .
I look back on people like this in the trade , and I see no reason why I cannot emulate them .
Roger my old 2nd mentor and work colleague passed away aged 72 or 74 I think ( my age now is 72 ) , He retired too soon in my opinion , but health problems had a say in his retirment , allthough I know he still dabbled in the odd re-cloth now and again . Mick Robb of Belvoir Billiards passed away far too soon in his 50s , and he was my first mentor .
I also have a few small health problems , nothing too serious as we all get these as we get older , but with me playing football until 50 years old , and keeping active , and a none smoker all my life I think I have a few years left in me yet .
So GCL Billiards is still going to be around for a few years yet .
Not many people can say they have been in a trade for 50 years , it is major milestone for anyone reaching that figure , 37 years as an employee , 33 of those years at Elston & Hopkin Billiards ltd , and 13 years self employed .
Billiard fitting is not an easy job , especially lifting those heavy slates . but I am still doing that service , of fitting and moving relocating full size billiard / Snooker tables , as long as it from Ground floor to ground floor , no more than a couple of steps .
Geoff Large
Time Served Billiards Fitter
NBSA approved fitter
