ABOUT CRUCIBLE NEWBURY
More than just a sports club — a home for cue sports, competitions, friendships and unforgettable events.
WHO WE ARE
The Crucible Sports & Social Club Newbury is a unique members club specialising in Cue Sports, offering high quality Snooker, Pool, Darts and Social facilities. With a fully licensed sports bar, regular competitions, live sport and a welcoming atmosphere, we provide a venue for players of all abilities. We also place a strong emphasis on developing junior cue sports and supporting the local community.
THE CRUCIBLE NEWBURY TIMELINE
The idea for Crucible Sports was created by Andy Bolter, Jason Francis and Lyndon Paxford, with a shared vision of creating a high-quality cue sports venue in Newbury. Crucible Sports Ltd was formed.
Crucible Newbury officially opened its doors, bringing premium Snooker and Pool facilities together with a welcoming social environment. Cliff Thorburn & Kirk Stevens Join us for the launch event. The Legendary Jimmy White also visited later that year, endorsing the club as one of the best he has played in.
The club quickly built a loyal membership base, attracting players of all abilities and becoming a regular destination for cue sport enthusiasts. Six times World Champion Steve Davis paid us a visit, and we expanded our Darts events, hosting Eric Bristow and Bobby George.
The Crucible began organising fundraising events, charity competitions and community initiatives, helping support local causes. We also put on events with 7 times World Champion Stephen Hendry and 3 time world Champion Mark Williams. The Darts continued to grow with an exhibition from Wayne Mardle, where he lost a leg to a young local talent...Luke Humphries!
The club hosted larger competitions and exhibitions featuring recognised names from the cue sports world. The Snooker Legends Pr-Am was born, and Jimmy White paid us another visit. On the Dart board, Peter "one Dart" Manley delivered a great exhibition.
Growing demand led to more leagues, tournaments and social events, strengthening Crucible's reputation across the region. The club also hosted some fantastic exhibition nights - world number 1 Mark Selby, 1997 World Champion Ken Doherty and the greatest player of all time Ronnie O Sullivan.
The club established itself as a leading venue for competitive Snooker, Pool and Darts, supporting players from grassroots to county level. We became a host venue for the World Seniors snooker tour and the English Amateur snooker tour. The Legend Ronnie O Sullivan delivered another night, back by popular demand!
Membership and league participation continued to grow, creating a strong community atmosphere both on and off the tables. Ali Carter delivered a Snooker Exhibition. Social nights grew with some great themed nights - Old Skool Anthem's, Reggae Night, 80's Night and Rock Night.
The 1985 World Champion Dennis Taylor provided us with an great evening of entertainment. Crucible Newbury also became the home of the Berkshire county Darts Team, hosting some huge darts weekends.
The Crucible expanded with the opening of Crucible Reading, bringing the same passion and high standards to a second location. Newbury hosted its very first TV event on Sky Sports, hosting the TOAM Shootout series in Pool.
Crucible Newbury endured the global COVID pandemic and was closed for most of the year. Whilst we were closed we adapted to the new way and refurbished the club ready to re-open.
The Pandemic continued for half of the year, but during the summer the world started to return to normal. We hosted a fantastic event in the lead up to Christmas, with Badness performing (the best Madness tribute act in the world).
We became a host venue for the World Seniors Darts tour, hosting some famous players like Kevin Painter, Daryl Fitton and Robert Thornton. Planet ABBA played an unbelievable set for us in November of the year and a great night was had by all.
A series of annual tournaments were launched to remember some legendary members who had passed away. The Alan Bolter Christmas Handicap was won by Neil Winkworth and the Tony Powell Six Red Championship was won by Neil Craycraft. Crucible Newbury also hosted a charity 24 hour pool event to raise funds for Kindness vs Cancer.
The year started with a private event for Crucibles very own Luke Humphries, who won the Darts World Championship and became World number 1. Crucible Newbury also expanded its social side by hosting a local Bingo group, attracting over 150 players every Sunday evening. The World Seniors Darts tour bought in many more famous faces including ladies champion Trina Gulliver.
The first maximum 147 break was finally achieved in the club by Billy Castle, who made the stunning break in a Cue Stars tour event. The Crucible youth Darts group was launched and endorsed by Jamie Cavern. Our biggest ever Joker Jackpot was finally claimed, with Richard Canning scooping the ÂŁ13,650 jackpot.
The Darts scene at Crucible Newbury continued to grow, with the Darts Money league and a monthly Darts Tournament drawing in many local players.
MEET THE TEAM
AndY Bolter
Managing Director / Owner
Jason Francis
Director / Owner
Lyndon Paxford
Director / Owner
Julie Canning
Club Manager
Emily Canning
Bar Supervisor
Jason Canning
Bar Supervisor
Eleanor Stephens
Bar Staff
Natalie Kerry
Bar Staff
Justin GIles
Bar Staff
Mark Canning
Bar Staff
Harry Rice
Table Maintenance
WHAT MAKES CRUCIBLE DIFFERENT?
Premium Snooker Tables
8 Match quality snooker tables in top condition, perfect for casual games or serious play.
Pool Tables
9 Blackball Pool Tables with plenty of space for league matches or relaxed games.
Darts
The best darts set up around. Multiple dart boards with a welcoming atmosphere for players of all levels.
Events
Regular competitions, tournaments, and social events throughout the year. Private Hire available.
Licensed Bar
Fully stocked bar with beers, spirits, and soft drinks to keep the night going
Live Sports
All the best in Live Sports actions on our HD screens featuring Sky Sports.
MORE THAN JUST A CLUB
SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY
The Crucible is proud to support local charities, fundraising initiatives and community events. From 24-hour sporting challenges to charity tournaments and youth development, we aim to make a positive impact both inside and outside the club.
GRASSROOTS CUE SPORTS
The Crucible is proud to be the home of the Newbury Snooker League, established in 1985 and providing local players with a place to compete and enjoy the game. We are also affiliated with the EPSB and Cuestars, supporting tournaments, coaching initiatives and the development of cue sports. Through discounted junior membership and coaching opportunities, we are committed to helping grow the next generation of Snooker players.
LOCAL SPONSORSHIPS
The Crucible is proud to support local sport and emerging talent through sponsorships across the community. Over the years we have worked alongside clubs and individuals including Thatcham Tornadoes, Newbury Ladies Football Team, Cold Ash Football Team, Newbury FC, Diamond FC and local snooker player Billy Castle. We believe in helping local teams and individuals grow, succeed and strengthen the sporting community around us.
RAISING MONEY FOR GOOD CAUSES
Over the years we have hosted a wide range of fundraising events including 24-hour Snooker and Pool marathons, music nights, quiz events, charity competitions, family activities and community partnerships. Through these initiatives we have helped raise thousands of pounds for organisations and causes including Cancer Research UK, Combat Stress, Multiple Sclerosis, The Rosemary Appeal, Macmillan Cancer Support, Cystic Fibrosis and Southampton Hospital charities.
SUPPORTING LOCAL GROUPS
The Crucible is proud to support local organisations and community groups by providing a welcoming environment where people can connect, socialise and develop new opportunities. We work closely with groups including Engaging Potential, West Berkshire Social Services, iCollege and Three Frogs, helping create inclusive spaces that encourage participation, wellbeing and personal development within the local community.
Engaging Potential is an independent school offering an alternative approach for disengaged young people. Their mission is to re-engage them with individual learning opportunities and positive life experiences through teaching and mentoring whilst promoting personal and social development. The Crucible Newbury provides a facility for mentors to meet with their young people to engage and spend time together.
The Crucible Newbury provides a venue for West Berkshire Children's Services to utilise. Â With co-owner Andy Bolter an approved Foster carer, supporting Children's services is close to out heart. The Newbury venue is utilised for children in foster care to spend time with their birth families.
The Three Frogs Group is a part of the National Autistic Society. Â It is a social group for adults (18+ years) with Asperger syndrome or autism, offering an informal night out where you can make friends, enjoy a meal and have a chat. Partners, friends and carers also welcome.
The Crucible Newbury has provided a venue for the group for many years now, providing food and drink in a relaxed environment.
The Crucible Newbury provides support to the Two Saints group. Two Saints offer support to people who are homeless, vulnerable or at risk of becoming homeless, and who need help to get back on their feet. Their services include safe, flexible and reliable client led housing and support with a focus on reducing homelessness, improving health and wellbeing and building on individual’s skills and resilience to break the cycle of homelessness, poverty and exclusion. The Crucible Newbury provides a venue for individuals to meet and relax playing some pool.
icollege is the alternative education provision for West Berkshire Council. Established in September 2017 after combining The Alternative Curriculum Service and The Reintegration Service which were set up in October 2005. icollege operates from five separate units located across West Berkshire. They can accomodate 66 pupils across all key stages, aged from 5 - 18, we also offer a including a sixth form provision. The students who are referred to them are having difficulties accessing mainstream education, for a variety of reasons. Â The Crucible provides a recreational outlet for students.
More Than Just a Cue Sports Venue
JOIN THE CRUCIBLE NEWBURY COMMUNITY
Come and see why thousands of players, fans and visitors choose Crucible Newbury as their cue sports home.