By Ryan Anthony

As the dust settles on our second full season of the Crokinole UK Tour, I’m filled with immense pride, gratitude, and excitement for what we’ve built together. The 2024–25 season has not only cemented Crokinoles place in the UK gaming landscape, but has also showcased a remarkable rise in the standard of play, community engagement, and the sheer joy this game brings to so many.

Let’s take a look back at the amazing events that shaped this season.

Scottish Grand Prix – TableTop Scotland

Organised by Terry Brown

We kicked off the season with the Scottish Grand Prix at TableTop Scotland, and what a fantastic start it was. The energy in Edinburgh was electric, thanks to the masterful organising by Terry Brown and many a shout of “Top Crokes!” for a range of exciting and hilarious jackpots for players. Tom Curry claimed the top spot, edging out Mike Ray in a tense final, while Mark Thurling and Chris Robinson rounded out the top four. The competitive level in Scotland continues to climb, and it’s clear the north is becoming a real crokinole hotspot.

Wales Crokinole Clash – Wrexham

Organised by yours truly

Hosting the Wales Crokinole Clash in its new home in Wrexham was a special moment for me. It was an honour to welcome familiar faces and fresh competitors to this new venue, which quickly felt like home. Steve Burrows took the crown in a thrilling final against Tom Curry, with Brian Cook and Mike Ray finishing strong. The venue and community vibe were spot-on—Wrexham has truly embraced the board!

St Albans Open & UK Doubles Championship

Organised by Mike Ray

Mike Ray continues to set the bar high for Crokinole events, and St Albans was no exception. Steve Burrows showed his class once again in the Open, with Mike himself just behind in second, followed by the international talent of Nikolett Huszárik and the always-consistent Brian Cook.

The Doubles Championship brought another layer of excitement, with fantastic chemistry and strategy on display. Arpad Lonstak and Nikolett Huszárik (Hungary) claimed the title with a standout performance, beating Steve Burrows and Joe Tegeltija. A special shoutout to the lesser seen Rowe brothers, Dan and Harry, who made their first top-four appearance and embodied the spirit of the game.

Airecon Crokinole Classic – Harrogate

Organised by Terry Brown

Airecon’s fifth Crokinole Classic proved the event just gets better with age. Packed tables, passionate players, and the signature Harrogate charm made this one to remember. Sponsored by Meeplewood, Tom Curry once again showed his dominance, taking first place over the ever-improving Joe Tegeltija. Mike Ray and Mark Vorster rounded out a competitive top four, highlighting the strength in depth we’re now seeing across the Tour.

Crokinole UK Masters – Manchester

Organised by me, with a new full round-robin format

Bringing the Masters to Manchester and rolling out a new full round-robin format was a risk—but one that paid off. The feedback was brilliant, and the gameplay was top-notch across the board. Tom Curry emerged victorious again, proving he’s the man to beat, with George McCarthy (I think he’ll do alright, him) taking second. Mike Ray and Joe Tegeltija battled hard for third and fourth in what was easily one of the most intense events of the season.

UK Crokinole Championship – UK Games Expo

Organised by Ian Witt

We wrapped the season with a bang at the UK Games Expo, with 98 players competing in the UK Championship! A record for a Crokinole event in the UK. And this is where George McCarthy stunned the field and earned the title of UK Champion! He overcame top-tier talent including runner-up Brandyn Osborne (Queen City Crokinole Club) and Tom Curry (who finished third), with Mike Ray capping off his phenomenal season in fourth. Ian Witt deserves a massive thank-you for organising such a well-run finale at one of the biggest gaming stages in the UK.

And the Tour Champion Is…

With a score of 150, and retaining his crown from last season, Tom Curry stands once again as our overall Crokinole UK Tour Champion. His consistency, focus, and just overall play have set a high bar for all of us. Bravo, Tom!

Looking Back — And Ahead

What excites me most isn’t just the rise in skill we’re seeing across the board—it’s the incredible people who continue to discover and fall in love with this game. Every event brings back seasoned players while welcoming new faces into the fold. We’ve seen new friendships form, rivalries develop, and a sense of community grow that feels truly special. Are we the best gaming community in the world? I’m just saying I’ve yet to be in a better one…

We also launched Hogan’s Alley, our official podcast, giving players and fans another way to connect with the stories, players, and pulse of the Tour. The support for it has been fantastic, and we’re only just getting started.

Thank you to everyone who has played, helped run an event, brought a board to an event, grabbed a piece of merch, said something nice, or simply cheered us on. It’s because of you that Crokinole is thriving here in the UK.

Join Us for the Crokinole UK AGM – July 16th

As we begin to plan for the 2025–26 season, we’d love your input. Join us for the Crokinole UK AGM – 8PM on July 16th by emailing play@crokinoleuk.com to receive your invite link. Whether you’re a regular or a newcomer, your voice matters in shaping where we go next.

Here’s to another year of growth, 20s, and fabulous company.

See you on the board,

Ryan Anthony