AND SO THIS IS CHRISTMAS...

We’re shutting up shop for another year here at Snooker Scene Towers so would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Looking back at 2007, what’s striking is how little snooker there has actually been in terms of tournaments. Just eight ranking events and a handful of invitation tournaments for the top professionals.

However, I think 2008 will be much, much busier with John Higgins’s new ‘World Series’ and, I understand, more events on the cards in the Far East.

Any major sport looking for exposure in the media needs to create a feeling of momentum, which has been severely lacking in snooker in recent times.

Having whole months go by with nothing happening makes the sport look like its in decline when, in fact, across Europe and China it is booming.

There was no player of 2007 even if the year was book-ended by Ronnie O’Sullivan’s fine performances in winning the Saga Insurance Masters and Maplin UK Championship.

Shaun Murphy was the most consistent player and there were also strong showings from the likes of Neil Robertson and Stephen Maguire but Higgins came good when it really mattered at the Crucible.

The last week of the 888.com World Championship offered what snooker at its best can: great snooker, close finishes and plenty of drama.

There are still problems in how the game is administered but at least there is now stability and little in-fighting.

There’s every reason to be positive heading into 2008.