Frank Lupton Cue Plates
Silver presentation cue plates are always interesting to find, and this pair had a special attraction for me, having originated from Hartlepool, which is quite close to where I currently live.
Inscriptions relating to amateurs are usually a struggle when it comes to finding information about the recipient, but in this case Frank Lupton (no connection with the famous Manchester billiard table and cue manufacturer) was relatively famous, at least in his own locality. He was born in Hartlepool in 1903 and started his sporting career playing cricket for the St Oswald’s team in the Junior Cricket League. Still a teenager, he graduated to their billiard team in 1921, and over the following years became one of Hartlepool’s best players.
His finest year as a billiard player probably came in 1926, when he was selected to oppose W P McLeod, the ex-English Amateur Champion, at a charity exhibition match at Hartlepool. Although he failed to beat the champion, Lupton gave a pretty good account of himself, making a break of 71 in this match.
During this season he also earned the first of the badges illustrated by recording the highest break (78) in Division 1 of the Hartlepool and District Billiards League. Despite scoring over half the game of 150 up in this one visit, he still managed to lose the game, his opponent making a couple of 40s to win by 8 points.
He first started playing for the Hartlepool Boilermakers Institute in 1928, and the second plate suggests that he soon afterwards made a century break at that club. This was clearly of such significance that it warranted the award shown. Wilf Moorhouse, who made the presentation, operated a Billiard Saloon in Lynn Street, West Hartlepool and at this time, was connected with the local leagues, possibly in an official capacity.
Moorhouse was also a friend of Joe Davis and a keen golfer. I have a report of him partnering Joe in a four-hand at golf in a tournament arranged by George Nelson in Scarborough in 1928. However, his business activities had a setback in September 1929, when he was declared bankrupt, so presumably Lupton received his award before this date. This latter plate has a bit of wear which suggests it may actually have been pinned to his cue at one time, but if so, the cue has sadly been lost.
My last reference to Lupton in the local billiard leagues sees him still playing for Hartlepool Boilermakers’ at the start of the 1932-33 season, although what happens to him after this is unknown.
Peter Ainsworth
Originally posted to the Cues n Views facebook page 2nd April 2020
