23.2.07

COLIN BRINDED FUNDRAISER

A tournament will be staged in Norfolk this weekend in memory of Colin Brinded, who was one of snooker's leading referees until his death from cancer in November 2005.

A total of 44 players will be in action at Riley's, Norwich, including the current Norfolk champion David Swinburn and former professional Nick Spelman.

Simon Carpenter of the Norfolk and district snooker and billiards league said the tournament has attracted interest from across the county. “It is going to be a great event," he said. "It started off as a 32-man tournament but because of all the interest it attracted we made it a 44-man event.

"Some of the best players from across the county will be playing and we are expecting some great breaks. Colin was really well known and he refereed great players such as Stephen Hendry. A lot of people want to come along and pay their respects.”

Each player will be charged £15 to join the event and £5 of this will go to the Sandra Chapman Unit at the James Pagett Hospital in Gorleston, which cared for Colin.

Members of the public will be asked for a minimum £1 donation on entry and can then enter raffles with prizes including cues autographed by Steve Davis and Jimmy White.

Colin refereed the 1999 Crucible final that yielded Stephen Hendry's seventh world title. He was hugely respected as a referee and regarded as one of the circuit's good guys.

Later this year, a junior tournament will be staged in his memory by the Snooker Writers Association.

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