1. League Structure
The 2026/27 season will be played over four divisions.
2. Committee Discretion
Any matter not specifically covered within these Rules or the League Constitution shall be determined by the Committee.
The Committee's decision shall be final and binding and shall not be subject to appeal.
3. Disciplinary Matters and Disputes
All disciplinary matters and disputes will be dealt with privately by the Committee and a sub-committee consisting of delegates from across each division.
4. Rules of Play
The International Rules set of rules will be played throughout the league.
There will be no Golden Break or Golden Duck rule.
5. Match Start Time and Grace Period
Matches will start at 8:15 pm.
A 15-minute grace period will be allowed to accommodate teams travelling from further away.
6. Pool Balls
Pro Cup balls are to be used by all teams in the league.
Dynasphere balls may be used if a team has them, but they are not mandatory.
7. League Fees
The league fee for the season will be £100 per team.
This will be payable in two instalments during the season. The Committee will communicate the payment dates to delegates.
8. Player Registration Fee
The player registration fee for the season will be £5 per player.
The Committee will communicate the payment date to delegates.
9. League Matches
League matches will consist of 12 frames, all of which must be played to completion.
9.1 Fixed Format
Stoke South operates a fixed match format, which must be followed at all times.
A format sheet will be provided at the first full league meeting and will also be available on the league WhatsApp group.
9.2 Breaks
In league matches, the away team breaks first, with the break alternating after the first frame.
For clarity:
● Away team: Frames 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11
● Home team: Frames 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12
10. Cup Matches
Cup matches will consist of 12 frames.
Teams will lag for the first break, with the break alternating after the first frame.
If the match finishes 6–6, a Blackball shootout will be used to determine the winner.
The shootout format will be the same as detailed on the team sheet.
If the scores remain level after six shots per team, the shootout will continue on a sudden-death basis until one team misses.
11. Premier Division Teams and the Sub-Competition
Should a Premier Division side lose in the first round of the cup, they will not be eligible to enter the sub-section of the competition.
12. Postponements and Non-Fulfilment
No postponements are permitted in the Stoke South Pool League.
A team may fulfil a fixture with a minimum of two players on the night.
Failure to fulfil a fixture will result in a £25 fine.
13. League Position Tie-Breakers
Teams finishing level on points will be separated using the following methods.
If there is a tie for top spot, a playoff will be used to determine the league winner.
For all other positions, the following tie-breakers will apply, in order:
- Number of match wins
- Frame difference
- Head-to-head result
- One-time playoff
14. Incorrect Player Selection
If a game is played by the wrong players and this is noticed on the night, the frame must be replayed.
If an error is discovered after the match night, the matter will be brought before the committee for discussion with the team’s delegate.
Possible outcomes may include a £5 fine for each incorrect team entry and the loss of the frame for that fixture.
15. Player Signings and Registration Deadline
Teams in the lower divisions (Championship Division and below) may sign players during the season, subject to all signings being approved by the Committee.
Premier League team do not need to seek approval of signing but need to inform the committee still
This is to ensure that the divisions are maintained to an appropriate standard.
The deadline for standard player signings is 14 January.
After 14 January, the Committee will only sanction emergency signings.
On a match night, any request for an emergency player signing must be submitted no later than 7:00 pm.
16. Player of the Season
To qualify for the Player of the Season award, a player must have made more than 33% of the available appearances during the season.
17. Transfers
Transfers between teams are permitted.
The transfer fee is £25 per player.
All transfers must be agreed by the Committee and both team delegates.
The Secretary or Chairman will speak to both delegates to obtain approval before the transfer is authorised.
18. Eight-Ball Clearances
An Eight-Ball Clearance can only be awarded where all eight nominated balls are cleared by the player on their first visit to the table, with all 15 balls on the table at the start of the visit.
A Reverse Dish is awarded where all 15 balls are on the table at the commencement of the non-breaker's first visit, and the player clears all of their nominated balls and the eight ball.
19. Formal Disputes
All disputes must be submitted in writing to a Committee member within seven days of the occurrence.
Also if there is a dispute with the result of a match, the final score is not submitted Notify league Secretary (Chris Turner) of the query. Any matches submitted will be deemed as final and agreed by both teams
Disputes submitted by text message will not be accepted.
Email submissions are permitted and should be sent to:
stokesouthpool@outlook.com
20. Merits Entry Fees
The following entry fees will apply:
● Singles Merits: £10 per person
● Doubles Merits: £15 per team of three players
The Singles entry covers players' participation into the main and the sub for the championship downwards. Premier League Players can only enter the Main they can not enter the Sub.
21. Merits Competitions
The Merits competitions will be played at the end of the season.
All Merits competitions must be played on the date set by the Committee. They cannot be rearranged to another day.
If a Merits match is found to have been played on a different date or at a different venue without authorisation, both players will be removed from the competition.
22. Table Fees for Merits
It is the responsibility of the venue to pay for the table on a Merits night.
23. Monthly Meetings
League meetings will take place at Ye Olde Manor Inne.
Meetings will normally take place on the first Thursday of each month.
The Committee will confirm the exact date of each meeting to delegates. Meetings will take place on a Thursday evening.
24. Meeting Attendance and Fines
The Meetings will be held at 7pm at Ye Olde Manor Inne, Unless prior notice is given by the committee.
Each team needs its own delegate; one person can not represent both sides.
Each team is permitted one apology per season for a league meeting.
Failure to attend a meeting will result in a fine. The fine will increase by £10 for each subsequent meeting missed, with points deductions applying from the third missed meeting.
|
Meeting Missed |
Fine |
Points Deduction |
|
1st |
£10 |
— |
|
2nd |
£20 |
— |
|
3rd |
£30 |
1 point |
|
4th |
£40 |
2 points |
|
5th |
£50 |
3 points |
If meetings are missed in consecutive months, the relevant fines and points deductions will be added together.
25. Rollerball
Rollerball will cost £5 per meeting.
Prize draws will take place at the end of each meeting.
If a team does not attend the meeting, or leaves before the prize draw, and their number is drawn, the prize will be redrawn and awarded to a team that is still in attendance.
Prize amounts:
● 1st team: £15
● 2nd team: £15
26. Outstanding League Fees
If a team owes the league more than £50, that team will be suspended from the league until the outstanding amount has been paid.
While the team is suspended, any scheduled matches will be awarded to the opposition as a 9–3 win.
No individual player statistics will be awarded for these matches.
27. Change of Venue
Any team changing its venue during the season will be required to pay a £25 administration fee.
This fee will not apply where the original pub/venue has closed.
28. Presentation Night
Each team is required to purchase a minimum of two tickets for the presentation night.
The arrangement will be:
● Two tickets must be purchased by the team.
● The team delegate will receive a ticket free of charge.
The Committee reserves the right to amend this requirement depending on the capacity of the presentation venue.
Prize Money
Any money won during the season will only be paid to teams who attend the presentation night.
A minimum of three players from the team must be in attendance on presentation night to receive any prize money.
If a team does not have three players in attendance, the prize money will be rolled over into the following season's league funds.
This is also subject to change dependant on the venue size any alterations will be briefed in the season so we can accommodate dependant on venue.
29. Promotion and Division Structure
Teams finishing top of their division will be promoted to the next division for the following season.
The Committee reserves the right to review and adjust the divisions at the beginning of each season.
This may be based on:
● Players signed or lost by teams
● The introduction of new teams
● The overall strength and standard of each team
30. League Format
The league will be played over 12 frames.
A new match format sheet will be distributed at the beginning of the season and must be followed throughout the season.
31. Food
Food does have to be provided on league and cup match nights.
However on merits nights this does not have to be provided
32. Pool Halls and Player Signings
Pool halls will only be permitted to sign existing Stoke South Pool League players from their second season of competing in the league.
During their first season, a newly registered pool hall will not be permitted to sign any existing players who played in the Stoke South Pool League during the 2025/26 season.
If a pool hall does not participate in the 2026/27 season, it will not be permitted to sign an existing player until the 2028/29 season, provided that the pool hall participates in the 2027/28 season.
32.1 Second Teams at Pool Halls
If a pool hall enters only one team in the league, the same restrictions will apply to any second team subsequently entered.
The second team will not be permitted to sign existing Stoke South Pool League players during its first season in the league.
33. Pool Hall Teams and Tables
A pool hall may have a maximum of two teams in the Stoke South Pool League.
Where a pool hall has two teams, both teams must play on the same designated table throughout the season.
Teams cannot swap between tables during the season.
The purpose of this rule is to replicate normal pub conditions and ensure consistency throughout the season.
34. Semi-Finals and Finals
To be eligible to play in the league semi-finals or final, a player must have made at least 33% of the required appearances during the season.
35. Transferred Players and Cup Eligibility
A transferred player cannot play in cup matches if they have already played for another team in the same cup competition during that season.
This rule also applies to the sub-cup competition.
