Accrington E Jriley

dymanor · 06-10-2011, 09:01

We have found in our garden a tool with the following signs
accrington
E Jriley
1917
Is there anyone who knows what does it mean?
Thanks

Bob Dobson · 06-10-2011, 09:31

What sort of tool? This was a sports outfitters and maker of sporting equipment. Edward John Riley's firm became a limited company in 1897 and had a factory on Dale St (?) near Willows Lane. It was called the Willows works. Had a shop on Little Blackburn Rd. It was a nationally-famned company. Later moved to Padiham. Now extinct I think.

jaysay · 06-10-2011, 09:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Dobson

What sort of tool? This was a sports outfitters and maker of sporting equipment. Edward John Riley's firm became a limited company in 1897 and had a factory on Dale St (?) near Willows Lane. It was called the Willows works. Had a shop on Little Blackburn Rd. It was a nationally-famned company. Later moved to Padiham. Now extinct I think.

Think it was taken over Bob, sure I still see the Riley logo on TV Comps but maybe wrong

jaysay · 06-10-2011, 09:41

:: Norman Clare THE COLLECTION - Snooker Museum

Just found this Bob

Atarah · 06-10-2011, 09:44

This company had a sports outfitters on Abbey Street towards the end of the 1880's. As Bob said, what sort of tool? (maybe a shoe horn???). He also had premises in Bold Street under the name of "Northern Athletic Supply Co. He then started the well known firm of E. J. Riley in partnership with J. T. Kenyon, producing billiard tables and sports outfitting at Willow Mill in Dale Street.
Any chance of a photo?
Hey, Jaysay, what a good link you have put up!! In fact, its a BRILLIANT link!
Atarah

Caz · 06-10-2011, 10:20

EJ Riley - Specialists in Cue Sports, Snooker Tables, Pool Tables, Table Tennis, Football Tables, Darts, Air Hockey

Would seem they are in Ireland now.

Bob Dobson · 06-10-2011, 10:37

An excellent read Jaysay. Some confusion over Mr Kenyon's initials and not known who wrote that piece. Would be good to know more about this Kenyon , who is not mentioned in the two books giving brief biogs of deceased Accringtoinians.

I have seen an ad from ther 1930s (?) which mentions that a famous billards player made a huge break on a Riley table. Can anyone find it and tell us about the break?

I have remembered that I want to post another Riley thread.

Pudwoppa · 08-10-2011, 21:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caz

Would seem they are in Ireland now.

They aren't related in any way shape or form to the Accrington firm. Riley is obviously a common name in Ireland, and the liquidation of the old firm seems to afford them use of that name without being sued.

Some of the old E J Riley craftsmen do continue to work their craft in Accrington - a company called Sovereign Leisure. From what I understand they now refurbish old tables and resell them.

Bob - there are a few different break records that Riley used in their advertising. The billiard one was George Gray who they used several times as he broke new records (see attached). They also released a signature cue - see it here.

They also used Joe Davis for his record breaking snooker breaks. Again, they used several different scores as he broke records (147 remained elusive for many years) and released signature cues for each record - see them here. Also, you can read about Joe's record breaks here.

I have quite a few snippets of Riley info - I'll try and post them when I get time.

Pudwoppa · 08-10-2011, 21:27

Sorry - forgot to answer the original post.

I'm unaware of any tools made by Riley. A photo would be really handy. I think it's more likely to be something sport related that's either too damaged to identify or has been modified for use, although that's a guess without a photo.

The date of 1917 could be telling though - perhaps they manufactured items for the war effort for a period? Although I've never heard of it if that's the case.

Bob Dobson · 09-10-2011, 06:51

It could be a tool used in their workshops and stamped to avoid pilfering by staff.

cashman · 12-10-2011, 22:42

the rileys place on Dale street was used by Pierces upholstery, which was part of the riley group, Rileys at that time had moved to the old Pioneer works which was on either "Hood St, or Horne St, always got em mixed up, once took the late george best yon,as he was purchasing a snooker table.

Bernard Dawson · 12-10-2011, 23:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashman

the rileys place on Dale street was used by Pierces upholstery, which was part of the riley group, Rileys at that time had moved to the old Pioneer works which was on either "Hood St, or Horne St, always got em mixed up, once took the late george best yon,as he was purchasing a snooker table.

Horne St Cashy. The iron bridge is at the top of Horne St.

cashman · 13-10-2011, 08:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bernard Dawson

Horne St Cashy. The iron bridge is at the top of Horne St.

cheers Bernard, had a mate lived on yon, but could never remember name of street,fer some reason i always got me wires crossed.

jaysay · 13-10-2011, 09:06

I can remember back in about 84 I received a phone call from Eric Park, who was a Director of E. J. Riley and a friend of mine. At the time I was Chairman of the Lancashire County Pool Ass. and an International Poll ref, as well as Managing Pro Pool Player Neil Payton. Eric asked if Neil and myself could pop down to their Padiham works and look at a prototype poll table they were developing, which we did. On the visit we were introduced to Steve Davis who Riley's Sponsored together with his minder

The pool table was of first class quality, as you would expect, but I think the price would have been a little dear, the Classic Table used by the EPA at the time cost around £750the Riley would have been a hell of a site more. However, the experience was good, if only to see how they actually produced the snooker tables, especial the slate beds

robot1002 · 26-10-2011, 23:38

What? I moved to Accrington 5 years ago, from Leyland, I am now 72..My Mum died Nov 2007, she was 95 , and I remember her telling me 60 years ago that my Dad and her lived at No 4 Dale Street Accrington,their first matramonial home, accross the road from E.J Riley's billiard table factory, and she has to dust the furnature twice a day because of the dust from E,J Riley's workshops...I now live 500 yards from there, and just love it here...Accrington is THEE place to be...What do you want out of life ? Well it's here in abundance........Tony Take care..!!