The Welsh Open will be sponsored by Totesport.com in the latest positive move for the sport under Barry Hearn's chairmanship of the WPBSA.
The tournament has not been sponsored since 2003 when Regal were forced out through the UK government's anti-tobacco legislation.
“This is a further boost for snooker and it proves we are definitely moving in the right direction for our sport," Hearn said.
"Having Totesport.com, one of the biggest betting brands in the World, sponsor the Welsh Open demonstrates the appeal of snooker. We’ve now got sponsors on board for four of our five UK tournaments and I’m sure that there are more to come.
"We look forward to working closely with the team at Totesport.com to make this tournament a great success.”
Trevor Beaumont, Chief Executive of Totesport said: “We are delighted to again be associated with World Snooker after a break of 5 years. As one of the premier tournaments in the calendar the totesport.com Welsh Open is a great opportunity for us to remind our audience of customers that totesport.com is relevant for them across all major sports betting events.”
Hopefully this new deal will give the Welsh Open a bit of a lift because it currently seems to be regarded as the poor relation of the world ranking circuit.
Ali Carter starts his title defence next Monday and the tournament will be broadcast on BBC Wales and Eurosport.
21.1.10
WHITE LOSES IN BLACK BALL FINISH
There was agony for Jimmy White today when he lost 5-4 on a re-spotted black to Ian McCulloch having led 4-0 in their third qualifying round clash in the Welsh Open.
Unlike at Wembley, there was now showbiz atmosphere in chilly Prestatyn but White's army of supporters - many of them glued to live scoring - must have been cheered when they saw their man open a 4-0 lead.
But McCulloch fought his way back into contention and set up a nervy decider in which both players had chances before White sank the black to force a re-spot.
But it was McCulloch who potted the extra black to consign White to a disappointing defeat.
He leaves Pontin's having won one match yesterday but still not guaranteed his main tour place for next season, having come into the event 62nd in the provisional rankings.
Unlike at Wembley, there was now showbiz atmosphere in chilly Prestatyn but White's army of supporters - many of them glued to live scoring - must have been cheered when they saw their man open a 4-0 lead.
But McCulloch fought his way back into contention and set up a nervy decider in which both players had chances before White sank the black to force a re-spot.
But it was McCulloch who potted the extra black to consign White to a disappointing defeat.
He leaves Pontin's having won one match yesterday but still not guaranteed his main tour place for next season, having come into the event 62nd in the provisional rankings.
19.1.10
HEARN'S BOARD TAKES SHAPE
Barry Hearn has appointed Pat Mooney and Brandon Parker to the WPBSA board and accepted the resignation of Dr Hamish McInnes.
Mooney is manager of John Higgins and promoter of the World Series. Parker looks after Shaun Murphy and promotes the annual Paul Hunter Classic in Germany.
Having player managers on the board - 110sport's Lee Doyle is also there - is not always a welcome idea as it leads to the suspicion, whether true or not, that they might be more alive to their own clients' concerns than the rest of the players.
However, under Hearn there seems to be a genuine desire for everyone to work together and there's no doubt that Doyle, Mooney and Parker all have something to offer the sport.
No reason was given for the resignation of McInnes but he was associated with the previous board, which was rejected by the majority of the players at last month's AGM.
Hearn is meeting the BBC tomorrow to discuss the future, with the contract up for renewal at the end of next season.
He has also had discussions with other broadcasters about possible future tournaments.
Mooney is manager of John Higgins and promoter of the World Series. Parker looks after Shaun Murphy and promotes the annual Paul Hunter Classic in Germany.
Having player managers on the board - 110sport's Lee Doyle is also there - is not always a welcome idea as it leads to the suspicion, whether true or not, that they might be more alive to their own clients' concerns than the rest of the players.
However, under Hearn there seems to be a genuine desire for everyone to work together and there's no doubt that Doyle, Mooney and Parker all have something to offer the sport.
No reason was given for the resignation of McInnes but he was associated with the previous board, which was rejected by the majority of the players at last month's AGM.
Hearn is meeting the BBC tomorrow to discuss the future, with the contract up for renewal at the end of next season.
He has also had discussions with other broadcasters about possible future tournaments.
SNOOKERING ON
For a sport apparently in trouble, there seems to be an awful lot of snooker being played.
After the Masters it's groups 3 and 4 of the Championship League this week as well as the Welsh Open qualifiers before the final stages next week.
Judd Trump was the star of yesterday's CLS. He won all four of his matches and is guaranteed a play-off spot.
"I'd better win this group," he said, mindful that he's due in Prestatyn on Friday for his final qualifying round match in the Welsh.
Stephen Hendry has come into group 3 but had a frustrating first day, losing all three of his matches 3-2.
He and Ali Carter look set for relegation unless they turn things round today.
After the Masters it's groups 3 and 4 of the Championship League this week as well as the Welsh Open qualifiers before the final stages next week.
Judd Trump was the star of yesterday's CLS. He won all four of his matches and is guaranteed a play-off spot.
"I'd better win this group," he said, mindful that he's due in Prestatyn on Friday for his final qualifying round match in the Welsh.
Stephen Hendry has come into group 3 but had a frustrating first day, losing all three of his matches 3-2.
He and Ali Carter look set for relegation unless they turn things round today.
18.1.10
THE MARK OF A CHAMPION
Mark Selby never dropped his shoulders, he never stopped believing and he never gave up.
And, in the end, he got his reward: a second Pokerstars.com Masters title amid high drama at Wembley Arena tonight.
From 9-6 down he displayed great tenacity to claw back the deficit and edge Ronnie O'Sullivan 10-9.
The early part of the match was littered with big breaks and fine play but it was not surprising that proceedings slowed up towards the end as the tension rose.
O'Sullivan played some magnificent snooker but ultimately came wrong side of the blue off the last red in the 18th frame and missed a more difficult yellow than he would have liked. He later missed the green but this was a very tough pot playing left-handed.
Selby won that frame on the black and kept his composure to clinch the match in the decider, emulating his comeback from 8-5 down to O'Sullivan in the 2008 Welsh Open final.
But this was a better performance, the best of his career.
To win the Masters in the bearpit of Wembley in such circumstances underlines what a big occasion player he is.
This is the first final of the new decade. It is hard to see how it won't be remembered in time as one of its best.
And, in the end, he got his reward: a second Pokerstars.com Masters title amid high drama at Wembley Arena tonight.
From 9-6 down he displayed great tenacity to claw back the deficit and edge Ronnie O'Sullivan 10-9.
The early part of the match was littered with big breaks and fine play but it was not surprising that proceedings slowed up towards the end as the tension rose.
O'Sullivan played some magnificent snooker but ultimately came wrong side of the blue off the last red in the 18th frame and missed a more difficult yellow than he would have liked. He later missed the green but this was a very tough pot playing left-handed.
Selby won that frame on the black and kept his composure to clinch the match in the decider, emulating his comeback from 8-5 down to O'Sullivan in the 2008 Welsh Open final.
But this was a better performance, the best of his career.
To win the Masters in the bearpit of Wembley in such circumstances underlines what a big occasion player he is.
This is the first final of the new decade. It is hard to see how it won't be remembered in time as one of its best.
17.1.10
O'SULLIVAN V SELBY IN WEMBLEY REMATCH
So it’s a repeat of last year’s Pokerstars.com Masters final and another interesting clash of styles and personalities as Ronnie O’Sullivan and Mark Selby go toe-to-toe once again.
Last year, O’Sullivan dug deep to win 10-8. He played so well even he was happy.
He’s played superbly at times this year while Selby has been rock solid. The Leicester man is appearing in his third final in as many Wembley Arena appearances.
Ronnie can today become the first player to win the masters title in three different decades. It’s remarkable to think he first captured the title 15 years ago and was still favourite before a ball was potted this year.
Selby has the right mix of attack and defence to frustrate a misfiring Rocket but also far ore even tempered.
Put simply, he enjoys his snooker and his life and nothing much phases him.
Such characteristics will certainly be a help today but it ultimately comes down to who plays the best.
If O’Sullivan can produce his A game, he will win. If not, it could be another close battle.
Last year, O’Sullivan dug deep to win 10-8. He played so well even he was happy.
He’s played superbly at times this year while Selby has been rock solid. The Leicester man is appearing in his third final in as many Wembley Arena appearances.
Ronnie can today become the first player to win the masters title in three different decades. It’s remarkable to think he first captured the title 15 years ago and was still favourite before a ball was potted this year.
Selby has the right mix of attack and defence to frustrate a misfiring Rocket but also far ore even tempered.
Put simply, he enjoys his snooker and his life and nothing much phases him.
Such characteristics will certainly be a help today but it ultimately comes down to who plays the best.
If O’Sullivan can produce his A game, he will win. If not, it could be another close battle.
16.1.10
ON YOUR MARKS...
Mark Williams hasn’t beaten Ronnie O’Sullivan for eight years but has a chance to do so today.
The Welshman trails O’Sullivan 16-7 in previous career meetings with his most recent win coming in the semi-finals of the 2002 Thailand Masters.
Steve Davis said on the BBC earlier this week that the standard has risen since Williams was world no.1 but I think that if he today regularly produced the form he showed back then he would be winning tournaments.
In various reviews of the decade – though not on this blog – Williams was almost the forgotten man.
True, his game faded away as the 2000s went on but, for the first half, he was brilliant.
Indeed, Williams is one of only three players, along with Davis and Stephen Hendry, to win the game’s big three titles in the same season.
Today marks his first appearance in a Pokerstars.com Masters semi-final since he won the Wembley title for a second time in 2003. He hasn’t been in a final of any sort since he won the China Open in 2006.
O’Sullivan has played very well indeed, although he doesn’t seem to think so. He once said he would gladly pay for Williams to go on holiday so he wouldn’t have to play him again.
It promises to be a very interesting match featuring two of snooker’s all time greats.
Meanwhile, some more details are emerging about WPBSA chairman Barry Hearn’s future plans.
The calendar for next season will be announced next month, rather than trickling out in the summer as in previous years.
The WPBSA will give support to the World Series – another major change – and, as Hearn put it, “use it as a battering ram to get into countries not yet ready for a ranking event.”
There will also be a televised short form event designed to showcase the players’ personalities, details of which will be in the press on Monday.
Hearn, with trademark irreverence, describes the WPBSA chairmanship as an “easy” job.
In truth, it’s a lot of hard work but he has achieved the most important aspect of this: bringing together various promoters to work together.
This will mean more tournaments, more snooker on TV and a higher media profile for the game.
It needs the players to do their bit too, so let’s hope for a vintage final weekend at Wembley.
The Welshman trails O’Sullivan 16-7 in previous career meetings with his most recent win coming in the semi-finals of the 2002 Thailand Masters.
Steve Davis said on the BBC earlier this week that the standard has risen since Williams was world no.1 but I think that if he today regularly produced the form he showed back then he would be winning tournaments.
In various reviews of the decade – though not on this blog – Williams was almost the forgotten man.
True, his game faded away as the 2000s went on but, for the first half, he was brilliant.
Indeed, Williams is one of only three players, along with Davis and Stephen Hendry, to win the game’s big three titles in the same season.
Today marks his first appearance in a Pokerstars.com Masters semi-final since he won the Wembley title for a second time in 2003. He hasn’t been in a final of any sort since he won the China Open in 2006.
O’Sullivan has played very well indeed, although he doesn’t seem to think so. He once said he would gladly pay for Williams to go on holiday so he wouldn’t have to play him again.
It promises to be a very interesting match featuring two of snooker’s all time greats.
Meanwhile, some more details are emerging about WPBSA chairman Barry Hearn’s future plans.
The calendar for next season will be announced next month, rather than trickling out in the summer as in previous years.
The WPBSA will give support to the World Series – another major change – and, as Hearn put it, “use it as a battering ram to get into countries not yet ready for a ranking event.”
There will also be a televised short form event designed to showcase the players’ personalities, details of which will be in the press on Monday.
Hearn, with trademark irreverence, describes the WPBSA chairmanship as an “easy” job.
In truth, it’s a lot of hard work but he has achieved the most important aspect of this: bringing together various promoters to work together.
This will mean more tournaments, more snooker on TV and a higher media profile for the game.
It needs the players to do their bit too, so let’s hope for a vintage final weekend at Wembley.
15.1.10
GERMANY TO HOST RANKING EVENT
Germany will host a world ranking event next season according to new WPBSA chairman Barry Hearn, who briefed the media at the Pokerstars.com Masters at Wembley today.
Snooker is high in popularity in Germany and continental Europe is likely to be one of Hearn's main areas of interest as he attempts to breathe new life into the sport.
More details in Clive Everton's Guardian story here.
Snooker is high in popularity in Germany and continental Europe is likely to be one of Hearn's main areas of interest as he attempts to breathe new life into the sport.
More details in Clive Everton's Guardian story here.
14.1.10
BRECEL JOINS 110SPORT
Luca Brecel, the oustanding Belgian teenager who won the European under 19 title last year, has signed for 110sport, snooker's leading management group.
Brecel, 14, joins the likes of Ronnie O'Sullivan, Stephen Hendry, Stephen Maguire, Ali Carter and Peter Ebdon, who are all represented by 110.
"Luca is a prodigious talent and has the potential to become a really top player in a few years. It goes without saying that we will do everything to give Luca every opportunity to progress in his career," said Lee Doyle, chairman of 110sport group.
Young Brecel certainly is a very promising talent. If you read my feature on him in last June's Snooker Scene you will know that he suffers from a form of autism, but this seems to leave him clear-minded at the table.
Graeme Dott beat him 5-4 in the World Series grand finals last year and was very impressed, saying: "He seemed very calm and I think the key thing is that he hits the ball like an adult. You get a lot of kids who kind of slap the white but he hits it with authority without hitting it hard. He cues really well."
Brecel is also a snooker obsessive. He recorded every match from last season's World Championship and has watched them all.
Signing for 110sport will give him the opportunity to hone his skills alongside some of the game's leading professionals and also to take part in any tournaments they organise.
It's futile making predicitons about his future but it's also exciting to have a young talent emerging from mainland Europe where snooker's popularity has increased in recent years due to Eurosport's coverage.
Brecel is also excited to be in such exulted company. "Just to see my name alongside some of the most famous names in snooker gives me a real thrill," he said.
“This is just a fantastic opportunity for me. With all of 110’s history and achievements, it’s like joining Manchester United!
“Naturally I want to go as far as I can in the game and I have many ambitions; to become a regular on the Main Tour, to become the first player from mainland Europe to break into the top 16, and to win titles."
Brecel, 14, joins the likes of Ronnie O'Sullivan, Stephen Hendry, Stephen Maguire, Ali Carter and Peter Ebdon, who are all represented by 110.
"Luca is a prodigious talent and has the potential to become a really top player in a few years. It goes without saying that we will do everything to give Luca every opportunity to progress in his career," said Lee Doyle, chairman of 110sport group.
Young Brecel certainly is a very promising talent. If you read my feature on him in last June's Snooker Scene you will know that he suffers from a form of autism, but this seems to leave him clear-minded at the table.
Graeme Dott beat him 5-4 in the World Series grand finals last year and was very impressed, saying: "He seemed very calm and I think the key thing is that he hits the ball like an adult. You get a lot of kids who kind of slap the white but he hits it with authority without hitting it hard. He cues really well."
Brecel is also a snooker obsessive. He recorded every match from last season's World Championship and has watched them all.
Signing for 110sport will give him the opportunity to hone his skills alongside some of the game's leading professionals and also to take part in any tournaments they organise.
It's futile making predicitons about his future but it's also exciting to have a young talent emerging from mainland Europe where snooker's popularity has increased in recent years due to Eurosport's coverage.
Brecel is also excited to be in such exulted company. "Just to see my name alongside some of the most famous names in snooker gives me a real thrill," he said.
“This is just a fantastic opportunity for me. With all of 110’s history and achievements, it’s like joining Manchester United!
“Naturally I want to go as far as I can in the game and I have many ambitions; to become a regular on the Main Tour, to become the first player from mainland Europe to break into the top 16, and to win titles."
CHASING THE HAT-TRICK
Only seven players have won snooker's 'Big Three' titles: the World Championship, UK Championship and Masters.
They are Steve Davis, Alex Higgins, Terry Griffiths, Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O'Sullivan, John Higgins and Mark Williams.
Shaun Murphy and Peter Ebdon each have a chance to join that elite list this week but they have their work cut out today against two of the players who have already completed the hat-trick.
Ebdon is up against O'Sullivan, who hammered him 9-3 in the last 16 of last month's UK Championship.
The 2002 world champion started poorly against Marco Fu before growing stronger to beat him 6-2 in his opening match.
He will have to play much better to stand a chance against O'Sullivan, who currently leads him 18-11 in past meetings.
Murphy played very well to see off Hendry 6-4 and will be looking to reach the Masters semi-finals for the first time in six Wembley appearances.
He tackles Williams, who produced a typically wily performance in beating Ali Carter despite his car accident.
It's a tough match for Shaun but he cued superbly against Hendry and must start out as the more likely to complete the triple crown than Ebdon, whose form has become more erratic over the last couple of seasons.
They are Steve Davis, Alex Higgins, Terry Griffiths, Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O'Sullivan, John Higgins and Mark Williams.
Shaun Murphy and Peter Ebdon each have a chance to join that elite list this week but they have their work cut out today against two of the players who have already completed the hat-trick.
Ebdon is up against O'Sullivan, who hammered him 9-3 in the last 16 of last month's UK Championship.
The 2002 world champion started poorly against Marco Fu before growing stronger to beat him 6-2 in his opening match.
He will have to play much better to stand a chance against O'Sullivan, who currently leads him 18-11 in past meetings.
Murphy played very well to see off Hendry 6-4 and will be looking to reach the Masters semi-finals for the first time in six Wembley appearances.
He tackles Williams, who produced a typically wily performance in beating Ali Carter despite his car accident.
It's a tough match for Shaun but he cued superbly against Hendry and must start out as the more likely to complete the triple crown than Ebdon, whose form has become more erratic over the last couple of seasons.
13.1.10
UNDERSTANDING RONNIE
It seems absurd to many that Ronnie O’Sullivan could be so down on himself despite what looked to most of us like an excellent performance in battling back from 3-0 down to beat Neil Robertson 6-4 in the Pokerstars.com Masters yesterday.
Ronnie said that he was playing his best snooker at 15 or 16. Can this really be true? My colleague Phil Yates, who spent many a week at the qualifiers in Blackpool when O’Sullivan turned professional in 1992, certainly believes he was every bit as good then as he is now.
But you do not have to be a trained psychologist to recognise that Ronnie’s life was happier then as well because this was just before his father, Ronnie senior, was jailed for murder.
Ronnie’s entire character was shaped by his father. He gave him his confidence, his self belief and provided him with everything he needed to become a top snooker player.
So at 15/16, O’Sullivan played snooker without a care in the world before his world came crashing down around him.
It’s impossible to say whether he would have suffered from depression regardless of his father’s incarceration but he seems to find it hard to derive joy from the way he plays, even if many others love watching him.
How will he change when his father is permanently released from prison this year?
It could go one of two ways: he could either raise his game or may feel the pressure of having to perform more acutely than before.
Ronnie doesn’t ask for sympathy - and some would doubtless argue he doesn’t deserve any - but it’s important to understand the man and his background before merely slamming what he says after apparently playing very well indeed.
Ronnie said that he was playing his best snooker at 15 or 16. Can this really be true? My colleague Phil Yates, who spent many a week at the qualifiers in Blackpool when O’Sullivan turned professional in 1992, certainly believes he was every bit as good then as he is now.
But you do not have to be a trained psychologist to recognise that Ronnie’s life was happier then as well because this was just before his father, Ronnie senior, was jailed for murder.
Ronnie’s entire character was shaped by his father. He gave him his confidence, his self belief and provided him with everything he needed to become a top snooker player.
So at 15/16, O’Sullivan played snooker without a care in the world before his world came crashing down around him.
It’s impossible to say whether he would have suffered from depression regardless of his father’s incarceration but he seems to find it hard to derive joy from the way he plays, even if many others love watching him.
How will he change when his father is permanently released from prison this year?
It could go one of two ways: he could either raise his game or may feel the pressure of having to perform more acutely than before.
Ronnie doesn’t ask for sympathy - and some would doubtless argue he doesn’t deserve any - but it’s important to understand the man and his background before merely slamming what he says after apparently playing very well indeed.
12.1.10
WILLIAMS PLAYS ON DESPITE ACCIDENT
Mark Williams will play in the Pokerstars.com Masters at Wembley tonight despite sustaining whiplash when his car was rammed from behind in London last night.
Stephen Hendry was also slightly injured in the incident.
Williams said today that "you'd have to cut my head off to stop me playing."
Carter's odds to win the match have shortened since news of the injury spread but punters should beware.
Pressure has now transferred to Carter, who will do well to shut out thoughts that the twice former Masters champion is operating below par.
I recall the shock news at the 1994 World Championship that Hendry had slipped in the bathroom and broken his elbow.
I also recall who ended up winning that tournament.
Stephen Hendry was also slightly injured in the incident.
Williams said today that "you'd have to cut my head off to stop me playing."
Carter's odds to win the match have shortened since news of the injury spread but punters should beware.
Pressure has now transferred to Carter, who will do well to shut out thoughts that the twice former Masters champion is operating below par.
I recall the shock news at the 1994 World Championship that Hendry had slipped in the bathroom and broken his elbow.
I also recall who ended up winning that tournament.
RONNIE AT THE DOUBLE
Ronnie O'Sullivan has never won the Pokerstars.com Masters and World Championship in the same year. The sponsors of the latter, Betfred.com, are offering 16/1 on him doing so in 2010.
Ronnie seems to play well in spells. Last year he played some great stuff to win a fourth Masters crown. At the Crucible he failed to reproduce this form.
So the good news for his many fans is that if he fails to land a fifth Wembley title this week, he could be a racing certainty to become world champion for a fourth time in May. Only once in the last six years has he failed to win either title.
He faces a very tough opening round encounter in the shape of Australian Neil Robertson, who lies a place behind him at third in the current provisional rankings.
One concern I would have for O'Sullivan is his constant chopping and changing of cues. Even for a talent such as he is, this doesn't seem like the most sensible policy.
Yes, he won the Masters last year with a brand new model - a remarkable feat - but it should also be remembered that Joe Perry had the pink to beat him 6-4 in the first round.
O'Sullivan's record in the Masters is second only to Stephen Hendry's and if he wins the title on Sunday he will have won in excess of £1m in prize money at Wembley.
It's 15 years since he first scooped the trophy and he remains the favourite to do so again this season.
Robertson beat O'Sullivan in the quarter-finals of the first two ranking events he won and is a confident, attacking player in much the same style as his opponent.
He played very well at Wembley last year but lost 6-3 to Stephen Maguire in the quarter-finals, a match which ended with five successive centuries.
Neil went home for Christmas and said it was extremely hot, not a problem he has encountered since returning to the UK.
But will he manage to freeze O'Sullivan out?
Ronnie seems to play well in spells. Last year he played some great stuff to win a fourth Masters crown. At the Crucible he failed to reproduce this form.
So the good news for his many fans is that if he fails to land a fifth Wembley title this week, he could be a racing certainty to become world champion for a fourth time in May. Only once in the last six years has he failed to win either title.
He faces a very tough opening round encounter in the shape of Australian Neil Robertson, who lies a place behind him at third in the current provisional rankings.
One concern I would have for O'Sullivan is his constant chopping and changing of cues. Even for a talent such as he is, this doesn't seem like the most sensible policy.
Yes, he won the Masters last year with a brand new model - a remarkable feat - but it should also be remembered that Joe Perry had the pink to beat him 6-4 in the first round.
O'Sullivan's record in the Masters is second only to Stephen Hendry's and if he wins the title on Sunday he will have won in excess of £1m in prize money at Wembley.
It's 15 years since he first scooped the trophy and he remains the favourite to do so again this season.
Robertson beat O'Sullivan in the quarter-finals of the first two ranking events he won and is a confident, attacking player in much the same style as his opponent.
He played very well at Wembley last year but lost 6-3 to Stephen Maguire in the quarter-finals, a match which ended with five successive centuries.
Neil went home for Christmas and said it was extremely hot, not a problem he has encountered since returning to the UK.
But will he manage to freeze O'Sullivan out?
11.1.10
THE SILVER FOX RETURNS
David Taylor, a semi-finalist in the 1980 World Championship, has entered the qualifiers for snooker's showpiece event some 30 years on.
Taylor, 66, will face Bournemouth's Paul Wykes in the first preliminary round at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield on February 26.
Known as 'The Silver Fox', Taylor was a mainstay of TV snooker in the boom years of the 1980s.
He turned professional in 1965 and competed on the circuit until 1997, spending ten seasons in the elite top 16 and attaining a highest ranking of seventh in the 1981/82 season.
His only ranking final appearance came at the 1982 Jameson International, where he lost 9-6 to Tony Knowles.
He is also the reason it says Dennis Taylor and not D. Taylor on the World Championship trophy.
In addition, Taylor was commentating - very excitedly - with John Pulman when Steve Davis compiled the first televised 147 break at the 1982 Lada Classic.
Since retiring, Taylor has run a guest house in Cheshire. He also had a brief spell on the WPBSA board.
Taylor, 66, will face Bournemouth's Paul Wykes in the first preliminary round at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield on February 26.
Known as 'The Silver Fox', Taylor was a mainstay of TV snooker in the boom years of the 1980s.
He turned professional in 1965 and competed on the circuit until 1997, spending ten seasons in the elite top 16 and attaining a highest ranking of seventh in the 1981/82 season.
His only ranking final appearance came at the 1982 Jameson International, where he lost 9-6 to Tony Knowles.
He is also the reason it says Dennis Taylor and not D. Taylor on the World Championship trophy.
In addition, Taylor was commentating - very excitedly - with John Pulman when Steve Davis compiled the first televised 147 break at the 1982 Lada Classic.
Since retiring, Taylor has run a guest house in Cheshire. He also had a brief spell on the WPBSA board.
10.1.10
EBDON DIGS DEEP
Peter Ebdon's 6-2 victory over Marco Fu in the Pokerstars.com Masters today proved that experience in sport is invaluable.
This is Ebdon's 17th appearance in the Wembley tournament. He was poor at the start and could have been 4-0 or certainly 3-1 down at the interval.
By the end of frame three his pot success was in the 50s and his highest break was just 27.
But winning that frame with a colours clearance settled him down and, his iron will to win much in evidence, he started to find some form.
As he did, Fu's game collapsed. The man from Hong Kong got worse and worse as Ebdon grew stronger.
Ebdon is sometimes written off as a grinder but he plays some shots no other player would attempt - and often gets them.
He'll have to improve against Ronnie O'Sullivan or Neil Robertson but the main thing for him is that he's through to the quarter-finals with a tenacious performance that encapsulated his character.
This is Ebdon's 17th appearance in the Wembley tournament. He was poor at the start and could have been 4-0 or certainly 3-1 down at the interval.
By the end of frame three his pot success was in the 50s and his highest break was just 27.
But winning that frame with a colours clearance settled him down and, his iron will to win much in evidence, he started to find some form.
As he did, Fu's game collapsed. The man from Hong Kong got worse and worse as Ebdon grew stronger.
Ebdon is sometimes written off as a grinder but he plays some shots no other player would attempt - and often gets them.
He'll have to improve against Ronnie O'Sullivan or Neil Robertson but the main thing for him is that he's through to the quarter-finals with a tenacious performance that encapsulated his character.
SNOOKER'S LIFE EXPECTANCY SHORTENED BY OBSERVER
The downside to big snooker events is the seemingly endless stream of nonsense written about the sport in newspapers by people who know little and care even less about it.
Step forward Barney Ronay in today's Observer. Were spectacularly missing the point an Olympic sport, Mr. Ronay would give Steve Redgrave a run for his money.
He makes the assertion that "snooker could be an amateur sport by 2020" without any solid evidence to support this.
He then grossly misrepresents Ronnie O'Sullivan by claiming he had said as much. He didn't. Ronnie did say the game was dying last year and that something needed to be done.
His fellow players agreed and have brought in Barry Hearn, a fact Ronay appears not to have noticed, such was the extent of his research.
Also, Ronnie didn't say he wanted Simon Cowell to run snooker. He said he wanted someone who possessed Cowell's entrepreneurial skills to take it on. Hearn fits that bill.
"The everyday circuit takes in half-empty exhibition halls in Bahrain and its results rarely trouble the mainstream media," Ronay continues.
The circuit played one event in Bahrain in 2008. It also goes to China twice every year where the sport is hugely popular, something Ronay doesn't mention anywhere.
Perhaps the game would get more newspaper coverage if the Observer and others didn't fill space with columnists writing about sports they don't understand.
Actually, the results always get in the papers and over the last week there have been a large number of stories in the run in to the Masters, including two big pieces in the Guardian, for whom Ronay also writes.
Ronay writes of snooker: "It already has a resigned look, slumped glassily in its chair, and looking like its thoughts have turned to the white-gloved handshake and the scattered sound of exit applause."
What rubbish, although it may have set a new world record for throwing most cliches into a single sentence.
There is actually a newly found buzz around the players - as I witnessed at Crondon Park last week because, unlike Ronay, I've actually spoken to the players and asked them their views about the future.
My challenge to him is simple: go to Wembley this week. Sample the atmosphere. Watch the matches. Talk to Barry Hearn. Talk to the players.
I'm not denying snooker has its problems but the professional game dead by 2020?
I'd say there's more chance of the Observer - which has already axed two of its magazines to save money - being out of business first.
Step forward Barney Ronay in today's Observer. Were spectacularly missing the point an Olympic sport, Mr. Ronay would give Steve Redgrave a run for his money.
He makes the assertion that "snooker could be an amateur sport by 2020" without any solid evidence to support this.
He then grossly misrepresents Ronnie O'Sullivan by claiming he had said as much. He didn't. Ronnie did say the game was dying last year and that something needed to be done.
His fellow players agreed and have brought in Barry Hearn, a fact Ronay appears not to have noticed, such was the extent of his research.
Also, Ronnie didn't say he wanted Simon Cowell to run snooker. He said he wanted someone who possessed Cowell's entrepreneurial skills to take it on. Hearn fits that bill.
"The everyday circuit takes in half-empty exhibition halls in Bahrain and its results rarely trouble the mainstream media," Ronay continues.
The circuit played one event in Bahrain in 2008. It also goes to China twice every year where the sport is hugely popular, something Ronay doesn't mention anywhere.
Perhaps the game would get more newspaper coverage if the Observer and others didn't fill space with columnists writing about sports they don't understand.
Actually, the results always get in the papers and over the last week there have been a large number of stories in the run in to the Masters, including two big pieces in the Guardian, for whom Ronay also writes.
Ronay writes of snooker: "It already has a resigned look, slumped glassily in its chair, and looking like its thoughts have turned to the white-gloved handshake and the scattered sound of exit applause."
What rubbish, although it may have set a new world record for throwing most cliches into a single sentence.
There is actually a newly found buzz around the players - as I witnessed at Crondon Park last week because, unlike Ronay, I've actually spoken to the players and asked them their views about the future.
My challenge to him is simple: go to Wembley this week. Sample the atmosphere. Watch the matches. Talk to Barry Hearn. Talk to the players.
I'm not denying snooker has its problems but the professional game dead by 2020?
I'd say there's more chance of the Observer - which has already axed two of its magazines to save money - being out of business first.
9.1.10
SNOOKER'S WINTER WARMER
The Masters is indisputably one of snooker’s great events.
Its prestige comes from the fact that it isn’t a ranking event but is open only to the elite of the game.
First held in 1975, in its early years it was for only 12 players before becoming a tournament just for the top 16.
In 1990, Alex Higgins was given a wildcard after dropping out of this elite bracket. A qualifying event was then established to provide lower ranked players with a chance to take part.
In the tournament’s heyday, when it was held at Wembley Conference Centre and sponsored by Benson and Hedges, most players regarded it as second only to the World Championship.
It was a big money ‘major’ and was played in a bearpit atmosphere thanks to the cavernous arena and notoriously vociferous Wembley crowd.
Many great names have won the title, with Stephen Hendry doing so in each of his first five visits to Wembley.
Steve Davis memorably won it for the third time at the age of 39 in 1997.
In more recent years, Paul Hunter won three 10-9 thrillers in four years while last season Ronnie O’Sullivan captured his fourth title.
The Masters lost B&H by government decree seven years ago and had to move to Wembley Arena in 2007.
But it remains a highlight of the calendar and, with £150,000 to the winner, will be eagerly contested.
There is a new sponsor – PokerStars.com – and a buzz around the sport after Barry Hearn’s elevation to WPBSA chairman.
The opening day kicks off with Ding Junhui, the newly crowned UK champion, up against Mark Selby, who won the title on his Wembley debut two years ago and was runner-up last year, losing 10-8 to O’Sullivan.
This one is hard to call. Ding is in form, Selby showed signs at Telford that he was returning to form.
Two players out of form are Marco Fu and Peter Ebdon, who meet in Sunday’s second match.
Fu played well last week at the Championship League but suffers from inconsistency to such an extent that he can be either brilliant or average, with little middle ground.
Ebdon has played at Wembley on 16 previous occasions but has reached just two semi-finals, a surprisingly disappointing return for a former world and UK champion.
Although he appears to be on the decline, Ebdon tends to come good once every season. Who is to say it won’t be this week?
The evening will be a showbiz affair as Jimmy White takes on Mark King watched by some of his jungle buddies from I’m a Celeb – including winner Gino D’Acampo.
King defeated White 6-5 on the pink at the corresponding stage of the 1999 Masters and starts favourite, but White has often punched above his weight in Wembley, where the London crowd will roar in every pot.
The treacherous winter weather is likely to have a negative affect on attendances, although if people are off school and work next week the TV ratings may receive a boost.
There’s been loads in the newspapers in the run in to the tournament, proving the media is interested in snooker if they feel there is something to write.
A year ago, O’Sullivan memorably lamented the state of the game, claiming it was ‘dying.’
This year, there is a sense of excitement around the Masters, not least from O’Sullivan himself, and it will hopefully herald the first step on the long road back to the sporting big time.
The players themselves have to realise that this is their responsibility as much as anyone else’s. Not just to play well – they always want to do that – but to try and project their personalities also.
A small part of this will be intro music but much more needs to be done to prove that the sport does have characters and can hold its own against competing sporting attractions...although with the UK weather as it is, snooker may, for once, have the stage to itself for the next eight days.
What a chance to prove the patient is still alive and kicking.
Its prestige comes from the fact that it isn’t a ranking event but is open only to the elite of the game.
First held in 1975, in its early years it was for only 12 players before becoming a tournament just for the top 16.
In 1990, Alex Higgins was given a wildcard after dropping out of this elite bracket. A qualifying event was then established to provide lower ranked players with a chance to take part.
In the tournament’s heyday, when it was held at Wembley Conference Centre and sponsored by Benson and Hedges, most players regarded it as second only to the World Championship.
It was a big money ‘major’ and was played in a bearpit atmosphere thanks to the cavernous arena and notoriously vociferous Wembley crowd.
Many great names have won the title, with Stephen Hendry doing so in each of his first five visits to Wembley.
Steve Davis memorably won it for the third time at the age of 39 in 1997.
In more recent years, Paul Hunter won three 10-9 thrillers in four years while last season Ronnie O’Sullivan captured his fourth title.
The Masters lost B&H by government decree seven years ago and had to move to Wembley Arena in 2007.
But it remains a highlight of the calendar and, with £150,000 to the winner, will be eagerly contested.
There is a new sponsor – PokerStars.com – and a buzz around the sport after Barry Hearn’s elevation to WPBSA chairman.
The opening day kicks off with Ding Junhui, the newly crowned UK champion, up against Mark Selby, who won the title on his Wembley debut two years ago and was runner-up last year, losing 10-8 to O’Sullivan.
This one is hard to call. Ding is in form, Selby showed signs at Telford that he was returning to form.
Two players out of form are Marco Fu and Peter Ebdon, who meet in Sunday’s second match.
Fu played well last week at the Championship League but suffers from inconsistency to such an extent that he can be either brilliant or average, with little middle ground.
Ebdon has played at Wembley on 16 previous occasions but has reached just two semi-finals, a surprisingly disappointing return for a former world and UK champion.
Although he appears to be on the decline, Ebdon tends to come good once every season. Who is to say it won’t be this week?
The evening will be a showbiz affair as Jimmy White takes on Mark King watched by some of his jungle buddies from I’m a Celeb – including winner Gino D’Acampo.
King defeated White 6-5 on the pink at the corresponding stage of the 1999 Masters and starts favourite, but White has often punched above his weight in Wembley, where the London crowd will roar in every pot.
The treacherous winter weather is likely to have a negative affect on attendances, although if people are off school and work next week the TV ratings may receive a boost.
There’s been loads in the newspapers in the run in to the tournament, proving the media is interested in snooker if they feel there is something to write.
A year ago, O’Sullivan memorably lamented the state of the game, claiming it was ‘dying.’
This year, there is a sense of excitement around the Masters, not least from O’Sullivan himself, and it will hopefully herald the first step on the long road back to the sporting big time.
The players themselves have to realise that this is their responsibility as much as anyone else’s. Not just to play well – they always want to do that – but to try and project their personalities also.
A small part of this will be intro music but much more needs to be done to prove that the sport does have characters and can hold its own against competing sporting attractions...although with the UK weather as it is, snooker may, for once, have the stage to itself for the next eight days.
What a chance to prove the patient is still alive and kicking.
7.1.10
HIGGINS STARTS...SO HE FINISHES
World champion John Higgins is the second man through to the winners' group of the Championship League after a 3-1 victory over Ali Carter in the group 2 final at Crondon Park Golf Club in Essex tonight.
Higgins finished the match just in time to watch the tail end of his appearance on BBC's Celebrity Mastermind, where he finished joint third with former Tory leader Michael Howard.
After a promising start answering questions on US soap Dallas, Higgins struggled in the general knowledge round.
But on the table he had no such problems. He was in trouble when he trailed Judd Trump 2-0 in the semi-finals but fought back to beat him 3-2 before beatng Carter to join his fellow Scot Stephen Maguire in the final group in March.
"Stephen was giving me a bit of stick as he had already made it through and he was relaxing at the spa in the hotel enjoying himself so it's good to get through," Higgins said.
"The Championship is a great tournament and one of the main reasons why I won the World Championship last year. It's great match practise for all the boys and the practise you get against the best players in the world is invaluable.
"There's a real buzz about snooker at the moment with Barry Hearn coming in and we're hoping he could bring his skills of promotion to the game.
"It's been a real kick up the backside for the sport and hopefully we can grow as a sport and have people talking about us in good terms instead of negative ones as snooker is still obviously a good sport."
Higgins finished the match just in time to watch the tail end of his appearance on BBC's Celebrity Mastermind, where he finished joint third with former Tory leader Michael Howard.
After a promising start answering questions on US soap Dallas, Higgins struggled in the general knowledge round.
But on the table he had no such problems. He was in trouble when he trailed Judd Trump 2-0 in the semi-finals but fought back to beat him 3-2 before beatng Carter to join his fellow Scot Stephen Maguire in the final group in March.
"Stephen was giving me a bit of stick as he had already made it through and he was relaxing at the spa in the hotel enjoying himself so it's good to get through," Higgins said.
"The Championship is a great tournament and one of the main reasons why I won the World Championship last year. It's great match practise for all the boys and the practise you get against the best players in the world is invaluable.
"There's a real buzz about snooker at the moment with Barry Hearn coming in and we're hoping he could bring his skills of promotion to the game.
"It's been a real kick up the backside for the sport and hopefully we can grow as a sport and have people talking about us in good terms instead of negative ones as snooker is still obviously a good sport."
6.1.10
HEARN GETS SPONSOR FOR WEMBLEY MASTERS
Barry Hearn, who has been WPBSA chairman for three weeks, has secured a one-year sponsorship deal with PokerStars, the world's largest online poker room, to back next week's Wembley Masters.
Hearn says the level of financial support being offered by the company is "acceptable" for a last minute deal and that it was "very difficult" to secure a three year arrangement so close to the event.
The online gaming industry is one of the few doing well in the current economic climate, so their interest in snooker is most welcome.
It also proves that Hearn has the contacts to bring some much needed money into the sport.
Hearn says the level of financial support being offered by the company is "acceptable" for a last minute deal and that it was "very difficult" to secure a three year arrangement so close to the event.
The online gaming industry is one of the few doing well in the current economic climate, so their interest in snooker is most welcome.
It also proves that Hearn has the contacts to bring some much needed money into the sport.
5.1.10
MAGIC MAGUIRE
A highly focused Stephen Maguire won the first group of this year's Championship League with a 3-0 defeat of Mark Selby at Crondon Park Golf Club, Essex tonight.
Maguire, making his debut in the event, was 2-0 down to Ali Carter in the semi-finals but produced back-to-back centuries of 140 and 101 and fought back to win 3-2.
He returns for the winners' group in March. Selby, Carter, Judd Trump and John Higgins return for group two tomorrow alongside Ronnie O'Sullivan, Neil Robertson and Marco Fu.
If you're wondering what happened to the O'Sullivan story I posted earlier, I had, while kneedeep in the CLS if not snow, not read the link properly. It didn't say he would use the purple cue at the Masters, only that he had been practising with it, and I have thus deleted it.
In other news, the players will have music playing as they are introduced at the Masters.
The powers that be read this blog so feel free to suggest what the various players should have as their tracks.
Maguire, making his debut in the event, was 2-0 down to Ali Carter in the semi-finals but produced back-to-back centuries of 140 and 101 and fought back to win 3-2.
He returns for the winners' group in March. Selby, Carter, Judd Trump and John Higgins return for group two tomorrow alongside Ronnie O'Sullivan, Neil Robertson and Marco Fu.
If you're wondering what happened to the O'Sullivan story I posted earlier, I had, while kneedeep in the CLS if not snow, not read the link properly. It didn't say he would use the purple cue at the Masters, only that he had been practising with it, and I have thus deleted it.
In other news, the players will have music playing as they are introduced at the Masters.
The powers that be read this blog so feel free to suggest what the various players should have as their tracks.
REYNOLDS ON ROAD TO RECOVERY
Former top eight star Dean Reynolds is playing snooker again nine months after suffering a stroke.
The former Grand Prix and British Open runner-up is featured in the Grimsby Telegraph.
You can read the story here.
The former Grand Prix and British Open runner-up is featured in the Grimsby Telegraph.
You can read the story here.
3.1.10
CHAMPIONSHIP LEAGUE ATTRACTS BEST EVER FIELD
One of the reasons Barry Hearn attracted support before the WPBSA AGM last month was because of the Championship League, an event he promotes that has proved to be very popular with players.
Now in its third year, this qualifying event for the Premier League is shown on various betting websites.
This year’s field at Crondon Park Golf Club in Essex is the best yet. For the first time, Ronnie O’Sullivan and Stephen Maguire will compete.
Maguire joins world champion John Higgins, Shaun Murphy, Mark Selby, Ryan Day, Ali Carter and last year’s winner Judd Trump in the first group tomorrow.
O’Sullivan, Neil Robertson and Marco Fu join the fray on Wednesday for group two.
There has been a slight tweak to the rules this year with matches now best of five frames as opposed to being of four frames duration. This means there can no longer be draws.
Players receive £100 per frame won. It is a little like being paid to practise, albeit against some of the best players in the world, and will toughen these guys up ahead of the Masters.
Full details can be found at Matchroom Sport.
Meanwhile for those of you who follow me on Twitter, I will be attempting to post photos from various points of the snooker circuit, starting this week.
I know. Exciting, isn't it?
Now in its third year, this qualifying event for the Premier League is shown on various betting websites.
This year’s field at Crondon Park Golf Club in Essex is the best yet. For the first time, Ronnie O’Sullivan and Stephen Maguire will compete.
Maguire joins world champion John Higgins, Shaun Murphy, Mark Selby, Ryan Day, Ali Carter and last year’s winner Judd Trump in the first group tomorrow.
O’Sullivan, Neil Robertson and Marco Fu join the fray on Wednesday for group two.
There has been a slight tweak to the rules this year with matches now best of five frames as opposed to being of four frames duration. This means there can no longer be draws.
Players receive £100 per frame won. It is a little like being paid to practise, albeit against some of the best players in the world, and will toughen these guys up ahead of the Masters.
Full details can be found at Matchroom Sport.
Meanwhile for those of you who follow me on Twitter, I will be attempting to post photos from various points of the snooker circuit, starting this week.
I know. Exciting, isn't it?
1.1.10
2010: OVER TO YOU, BARRY
Happy New Year – and what an interesting year it promises to be for the snooker world.
Out of the darkness cometh light, or rather cometh Barry Hearn, the man now charged with restoring the professional game to something approaching its former glory.
This won’t be easy. The governance of the sport has been a scandal for decades (as painstakingly chronicled in Clive Everton’s book ‘Black Farce and Cueball Wizards’) but at long last there is some hope that better times may be around the corner.
Cards on the table: I like Barry Hearn. I like his attitude and his refreshing honesty. I admire his record of achievement in identifying niche markets and developing them into great successes.
He’s an ideas man. Some are good, some not so good (ITV’s Tenball anyone?) but at least he has ideas and the nous to try them out.
There’s nothing wrong with snooker as a game. Witness the John Higgins v Ronnie O’Sullivan match at the UK Championship last month or Higgins’s clash with Neil Robertson in the Grand Prix or the second half of last season’s World Championship. On its day, our sport is capable of providing absorbing, exciting sporting drama.
But snooker does have an image problem. To many it’s stale and samey. The players are interchangeable and the tournaments hard to distinguish.
This is where Hearn ought to come into his own. He has the passion and energy to set about changing these perceptions. The previous regime merely pretended there wasn’t a problem.
Snooker needs to appeal to casual sports fans, not just its own diehard community of followers. For this reason, let me predict right now that Hearn is likely to do a number of things ‘traditionalists’ may not agree with.
Shorter formats may be introduced. The look of tournaments may change.
However, this is all conjecture. I don’t have the inside track on Hearn’s plans. This would be difficult as he is yet to formulate them.
But what’s clear is that the WPBSA now has a chairman who recognises the sport does have problems and wants to sort them out.
Hearn has been involved in snooker since 1974. It has been the catalyst for all the success he has enjoyed in boxing, pool, poker and, perhaps most significantly, darts.
As he himself has said, he is a benevolent dictator. He will do things his way but for the benefit of the sport as a whole.
My advice to Barry is very simple: ringfence the ‘majors’ – the World Championship, UK Championship and Masters – because there’s nothing wrong with them but regard everything else as being up for grabs. I am particularly keen that he makes snooker tournaments feel more like ‘events’ for those attending and watching at home.
Remember this: all the tournaments that appear on TV have been either directly created or modified for television. However, most formats were created for TV as it was 25 years ago and have not changed as TV and society has changed over the years.
We must end the perception of snooker – which many casual sports fans hold – that it is slow, meandering and never ending. Having finals finishing after midnight hardly helps persuade people otherwise.
I understand Hearn’s main priority is to renegotiate the BBC contract. After this he wants to set up a new Pro Tour of small events, which will give all players, but particularly those lower down the rankings, more playing opportunities. I’m also told he will invite independent promoters to a meeting to thrash out a calendar that doesn’t involve clashes.
This is not an act of genius, merely a sensible move but his predecessor stubbornly refused to do it. His regime regarded all other tournaments with disdain and even refused to mention them on worldsnooker.com – an absurd policy that has now changed thanks to Hearn and his more open minded attitude. Expect many more changes on that website.
In 2004, Snooker Scene was prevented by the WPBSA from being sold at tournament venues. This was shortly after one of its then executives rather theatrically threw a copy into a bin at the Players Championship in Glasgow. This dramatic gesture was spoiled only by him then returning to the room to fish it back out as he realised it was his only copy.
Well, we’ll be back on sale at the Masters. Hearn will also meet the snooker media for a friendly chat and try to generate coverage that is sadly lacking in the newspapers.
I believe that all of snooker should support Hearn, even those who were against his appointment. It is in their interests to: if he is successful, the sport will be as well.
As I wrote earlier, there will be decisions that will alarm the sport’s closest followers – and I suspect it will be revealed that the true financial position is parlous – but I genuinely believe snooker will start to turn a corner this year if everyone pulls together.
Enough already. If you didn’t have a headache from last night’s festivities you’ll probably have one now.
So for some light relief, head on over to 110sport.tv, which has resurrected, Lazarus like, it’s online magazine On Q, which features interviews and irreverent musings on the game.
You can also watch myself and Stewart Weir interview the eight players who comprised the recent Legends event – when Alex Higgins allowed us to.
These included some of the names who played leading roles in the extraordinary boom years of the 1980s.
Let us all hope that, in 2010, snooker can take steps to once again scale the summit of popularity and thus arrest its slide into decline.
Out of the darkness cometh light, or rather cometh Barry Hearn, the man now charged with restoring the professional game to something approaching its former glory.
This won’t be easy. The governance of the sport has been a scandal for decades (as painstakingly chronicled in Clive Everton’s book ‘Black Farce and Cueball Wizards’) but at long last there is some hope that better times may be around the corner.
Cards on the table: I like Barry Hearn. I like his attitude and his refreshing honesty. I admire his record of achievement in identifying niche markets and developing them into great successes.
He’s an ideas man. Some are good, some not so good (ITV’s Tenball anyone?) but at least he has ideas and the nous to try them out.
There’s nothing wrong with snooker as a game. Witness the John Higgins v Ronnie O’Sullivan match at the UK Championship last month or Higgins’s clash with Neil Robertson in the Grand Prix or the second half of last season’s World Championship. On its day, our sport is capable of providing absorbing, exciting sporting drama.
But snooker does have an image problem. To many it’s stale and samey. The players are interchangeable and the tournaments hard to distinguish.
This is where Hearn ought to come into his own. He has the passion and energy to set about changing these perceptions. The previous regime merely pretended there wasn’t a problem.
Snooker needs to appeal to casual sports fans, not just its own diehard community of followers. For this reason, let me predict right now that Hearn is likely to do a number of things ‘traditionalists’ may not agree with.
Shorter formats may be introduced. The look of tournaments may change.
However, this is all conjecture. I don’t have the inside track on Hearn’s plans. This would be difficult as he is yet to formulate them.
But what’s clear is that the WPBSA now has a chairman who recognises the sport does have problems and wants to sort them out.
Hearn has been involved in snooker since 1974. It has been the catalyst for all the success he has enjoyed in boxing, pool, poker and, perhaps most significantly, darts.
As he himself has said, he is a benevolent dictator. He will do things his way but for the benefit of the sport as a whole.
My advice to Barry is very simple: ringfence the ‘majors’ – the World Championship, UK Championship and Masters – because there’s nothing wrong with them but regard everything else as being up for grabs. I am particularly keen that he makes snooker tournaments feel more like ‘events’ for those attending and watching at home.
Remember this: all the tournaments that appear on TV have been either directly created or modified for television. However, most formats were created for TV as it was 25 years ago and have not changed as TV and society has changed over the years.
We must end the perception of snooker – which many casual sports fans hold – that it is slow, meandering and never ending. Having finals finishing after midnight hardly helps persuade people otherwise.
I understand Hearn’s main priority is to renegotiate the BBC contract. After this he wants to set up a new Pro Tour of small events, which will give all players, but particularly those lower down the rankings, more playing opportunities. I’m also told he will invite independent promoters to a meeting to thrash out a calendar that doesn’t involve clashes.
This is not an act of genius, merely a sensible move but his predecessor stubbornly refused to do it. His regime regarded all other tournaments with disdain and even refused to mention them on worldsnooker.com – an absurd policy that has now changed thanks to Hearn and his more open minded attitude. Expect many more changes on that website.
In 2004, Snooker Scene was prevented by the WPBSA from being sold at tournament venues. This was shortly after one of its then executives rather theatrically threw a copy into a bin at the Players Championship in Glasgow. This dramatic gesture was spoiled only by him then returning to the room to fish it back out as he realised it was his only copy.
Well, we’ll be back on sale at the Masters. Hearn will also meet the snooker media for a friendly chat and try to generate coverage that is sadly lacking in the newspapers.
I believe that all of snooker should support Hearn, even those who were against his appointment. It is in their interests to: if he is successful, the sport will be as well.
As I wrote earlier, there will be decisions that will alarm the sport’s closest followers – and I suspect it will be revealed that the true financial position is parlous – but I genuinely believe snooker will start to turn a corner this year if everyone pulls together.
Enough already. If you didn’t have a headache from last night’s festivities you’ll probably have one now.
So for some light relief, head on over to 110sport.tv, which has resurrected, Lazarus like, it’s online magazine On Q, which features interviews and irreverent musings on the game.
You can also watch myself and Stewart Weir interview the eight players who comprised the recent Legends event – when Alex Higgins allowed us to.
These included some of the names who played leading roles in the extraordinary boom years of the 1980s.
Let us all hope that, in 2010, snooker can take steps to once again scale the summit of popularity and thus arrest its slide into decline.
23.12.09
DO YOU KNOW IT'S CHRISTMAS?
That’s quite enough blogging for one year.
In 2009 the blog had more posts, more comments and more readers than ever before.
It was sometimes right, sometimes wrong but always certain.
It’s also been fun despite the problems that have afflicted the sport. Ultimately, for all the political intrigue, for all that passions often get inflamed, snooker is only a game and being around the circuit and the people on it is first and foremost an enjoyable way to spend time.
Sometimes it’s exasperating too but we won't dwell on that right now.
Instead, I'd like to wish everyone reading this a very Merry Christmas, wherever you are and however you’re spending it.
There’s much to look forward to in 2010. With Barry Hearn now at the helm of the professional game there will doubtless be much happening and much to comment on come the New Year.
But it can all wait until then.
Right now it’s time to reacquaint ourselves of the true meaning of Christmas: fighting through crowds for last minute shopping, drinking copious amounts of alcohol and arguing with the family.
See you next year!
In 2009 the blog had more posts, more comments and more readers than ever before.
It was sometimes right, sometimes wrong but always certain.
It’s also been fun despite the problems that have afflicted the sport. Ultimately, for all the political intrigue, for all that passions often get inflamed, snooker is only a game and being around the circuit and the people on it is first and foremost an enjoyable way to spend time.
Sometimes it’s exasperating too but we won't dwell on that right now.
Instead, I'd like to wish everyone reading this a very Merry Christmas, wherever you are and however you’re spending it.
There’s much to look forward to in 2010. With Barry Hearn now at the helm of the professional game there will doubtless be much happening and much to comment on come the New Year.
But it can all wait until then.
Right now it’s time to reacquaint ourselves of the true meaning of Christmas: fighting through crowds for last minute shopping, drinking copious amounts of alcohol and arguing with the family.
See you next year!
22.12.09
NEW FORMAT TRIED, WORLD DOESN'T END
Overall I enjoyed my day out yesterday at ONEFORSEVEN in Cardiff, even if the city resembled a giant ice rink.
The harsh winter conditions undoubtedly had an effect on crowd turnout and a few big names also pulled out but several top stars took part, including Mark Williams, Mark Selby, Ken Doherty, Mark King, Matthew Stevens and the eventual winner, Ryan Day.
This was not, as some had predicted, the ghost of Pot Black Timeframe (for which many in the snooker world have undergone therapy to forget).
The format pitted eight players playing a single frame against one another. Each frame could last no longer than 21 minutes. The aggregate score for each player over the seven frames was used to calculate the overall winner.
The miss rule and free ball were thrown out and players had ball in hand after fouls, which certainly speeded things up. Not one of the 84 frames played lasted longer than the allotted 21 minutes.
Music was played throughout and the crowd were encouraged to make noise. This made it more a snooker club atmosphere and didn’t seem to put the players off.
I dare say ONEFORSEVEN wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea but it would be wrong to write it off without having seen it.
The players I spoke to enjoyed themselves. I’m sure Ryan will enjoy the £14,707 winners’ cheque he received – not even a semi-final prize in some ranking tournaments.
Players don’t just want to play hard tournament snooker and nothing else. They want to let their hair down (those that have any) from time to time and relax, just as spectators like to see them in less serious mode every so often.
The challenge now for the ONEFORSEVEN organisers is to gain interest from broadcasters. This may be harder than they think. The four table set up would be difficult to cover, although one appealing aspect for TV is that, unlike major tournament snooker, it is possible to discern how long the action will take.
There will, of course, be howls of protest that anyone had the nerve to tamper with the traditional form of snooker.
But the bottom line is that variants on a theme such as this and Six Reds do not threaten the established game in any way. They are merely offshoots that may have a role to play in broadening snooker’s appeal.
Most other sports have tried similar experiments. Some work, some don’t but not trying at all doesn’t get you anywhere.
Certainly the kids in Cardiff enjoyed being given the freedom to get up close to the players rather than sit silently in their seats for hours on end – not a pastime most children enjoy.
At the end, where Day, Liam Highfield and Alfie Burden were all in realistic contention for first place, there was a genuine sense of excitement and everyone got to their feet and gathered around the respective tables to see how it would end.
And remember: snooker was originally invented by messing around with the rules of other cue sports.
I’ve no doubt there were those hidebound to tradition who were appalled by this in the 19th century. If they’d had their way we’d still all be playing billiards and nothing else.
I don’t think ONEFORSEVEN is going to replace what we see at the Crucible any time soon – it’d be hard bearing in mind there is barely sufficient room for two tables in the famous Sheffield theatre.
Personally speaking, my favourite form of snooker is in major tournaments of the 15 red variety, just as I prefer Test cricket to Twenty/20 and one day internationals.
But if experiments such as this can help snooker’s future fortunes, even in a small way, then they should be given a chance.
The harsh winter conditions undoubtedly had an effect on crowd turnout and a few big names also pulled out but several top stars took part, including Mark Williams, Mark Selby, Ken Doherty, Mark King, Matthew Stevens and the eventual winner, Ryan Day.
This was not, as some had predicted, the ghost of Pot Black Timeframe (for which many in the snooker world have undergone therapy to forget).
The format pitted eight players playing a single frame against one another. Each frame could last no longer than 21 minutes. The aggregate score for each player over the seven frames was used to calculate the overall winner.
The miss rule and free ball were thrown out and players had ball in hand after fouls, which certainly speeded things up. Not one of the 84 frames played lasted longer than the allotted 21 minutes.
Music was played throughout and the crowd were encouraged to make noise. This made it more a snooker club atmosphere and didn’t seem to put the players off.
I dare say ONEFORSEVEN wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea but it would be wrong to write it off without having seen it.
The players I spoke to enjoyed themselves. I’m sure Ryan will enjoy the £14,707 winners’ cheque he received – not even a semi-final prize in some ranking tournaments.
Players don’t just want to play hard tournament snooker and nothing else. They want to let their hair down (those that have any) from time to time and relax, just as spectators like to see them in less serious mode every so often.
The challenge now for the ONEFORSEVEN organisers is to gain interest from broadcasters. This may be harder than they think. The four table set up would be difficult to cover, although one appealing aspect for TV is that, unlike major tournament snooker, it is possible to discern how long the action will take.
There will, of course, be howls of protest that anyone had the nerve to tamper with the traditional form of snooker.
But the bottom line is that variants on a theme such as this and Six Reds do not threaten the established game in any way. They are merely offshoots that may have a role to play in broadening snooker’s appeal.
Most other sports have tried similar experiments. Some work, some don’t but not trying at all doesn’t get you anywhere.
Certainly the kids in Cardiff enjoyed being given the freedom to get up close to the players rather than sit silently in their seats for hours on end – not a pastime most children enjoy.
At the end, where Day, Liam Highfield and Alfie Burden were all in realistic contention for first place, there was a genuine sense of excitement and everyone got to their feet and gathered around the respective tables to see how it would end.
And remember: snooker was originally invented by messing around with the rules of other cue sports.
I’ve no doubt there were those hidebound to tradition who were appalled by this in the 19th century. If they’d had their way we’d still all be playing billiards and nothing else.
I don’t think ONEFORSEVEN is going to replace what we see at the Crucible any time soon – it’d be hard bearing in mind there is barely sufficient room for two tables in the famous Sheffield theatre.
Personally speaking, my favourite form of snooker is in major tournaments of the 15 red variety, just as I prefer Test cricket to Twenty/20 and one day internationals.
But if experiments such as this can help snooker’s future fortunes, even in a small way, then they should be given a chance.
20.12.09
THE BEST OF 2009
What have been your favourite matches of 2009?
I can immediately think of three featuring John Higgins: his 13-12 victory over Mark Selby at the Crucible, 6-5 defeat to Neil Robertson in the Grand Prix semi-finals and 9-8 victory over Ronnie O'Sullivan at the same stage of the UK Championship.
O'Sullivan's 10-8 defeat of Selby in the Masters final was gripping viewing while Mark Allen's comeback against Higgins in the World Championship semi-finals was as compelling as it must have been nerve wracking for John.
I'd be interested to read the 2009 memories of snooker fans so please leave them below.
I can immediately think of three featuring John Higgins: his 13-12 victory over Mark Selby at the Crucible, 6-5 defeat to Neil Robertson in the Grand Prix semi-finals and 9-8 victory over Ronnie O'Sullivan at the same stage of the UK Championship.
O'Sullivan's 10-8 defeat of Selby in the Masters final was gripping viewing while Mark Allen's comeback against Higgins in the World Championship semi-finals was as compelling as it must have been nerve wracking for John.
I'd be interested to read the 2009 memories of snooker fans so please leave them below.
18.12.09
DAVIS WINS SIX REDS WORLD TITLE
Mark Davis pocketed a Christmas bonus of €10,000 by winning the inaugural 888sport.com Six Reds World Championship in Killarney tonight.
Davis, the world no.47 from Sussex, defeated twice Crucible world champion Mark Williams 6-3 in the final.
And it means his six year-old son, Jack, and daughter Millie, aged two, can enjoy an extra special festive period.
“It’s good timing and the kids will be pleased because they know they’ve got a good present coming,” Davis said.
“I played well all through the tournament. I had some luck, which you need with this shorter format, but I made some good breaks in the final.
“With the standard of the players who came here it was always going to be a bit of a lottery as to who won. I’m just happy to be the last man standing.
“I enjoyed the whole week. It was a good tournament and very well run. Killarney is a lovely place and it’s fair to say I’m a big fan of six reds snooker.”
Davis, 37, had previously won two minor invitation events, the 2002 Masters qualifying event and 1996 Malta Masters.
To reach the final he beat fellow main tour professionals Gerard Greene, Jamie Cope, Mark Joyce, Joe Swail and Mark King.
He twice trailed Williams by a single frame but from 2-2 was the stronger player, knocking in breaks of 71 and 65 on the way to clinching victory.
Williams edged Sheffield amateur Adam Duffy 5-4 on the black in the quarter-finals before completing a comfortable 5-1 semi-final defeat of Barry Hawkins.
“I’ve had a good week,” the Welshman said. “It was more relaxed than the ranking tournaments and Mark played very well from 2-2. He deserved to win.
“I think all the players have enjoyed this tournament. It’s something different and I’m a fan of the six red format.”
Reigning 15 red world champion John Higgins saw his bid to complete a unique double ended by a 5-1 defeat to Mark King in the quarter-finals.
Ken Doherty, beaten by Duffy in the last 32 and one of the tournament organisers, said he was pleased with the first staging of the short form World Championship.
“The feedback I’ve had from the players has been very positive and we’ll definitely be back next year,” he said.
“There’s no doubt that six reds snooker has its place and we hope to be even bigger and better in 2010.”
Davis, the world no.47 from Sussex, defeated twice Crucible world champion Mark Williams 6-3 in the final.
And it means his six year-old son, Jack, and daughter Millie, aged two, can enjoy an extra special festive period.
“It’s good timing and the kids will be pleased because they know they’ve got a good present coming,” Davis said.
“I played well all through the tournament. I had some luck, which you need with this shorter format, but I made some good breaks in the final.
“With the standard of the players who came here it was always going to be a bit of a lottery as to who won. I’m just happy to be the last man standing.
“I enjoyed the whole week. It was a good tournament and very well run. Killarney is a lovely place and it’s fair to say I’m a big fan of six reds snooker.”
Davis, 37, had previously won two minor invitation events, the 2002 Masters qualifying event and 1996 Malta Masters.
To reach the final he beat fellow main tour professionals Gerard Greene, Jamie Cope, Mark Joyce, Joe Swail and Mark King.
He twice trailed Williams by a single frame but from 2-2 was the stronger player, knocking in breaks of 71 and 65 on the way to clinching victory.
Williams edged Sheffield amateur Adam Duffy 5-4 on the black in the quarter-finals before completing a comfortable 5-1 semi-final defeat of Barry Hawkins.
“I’ve had a good week,” the Welshman said. “It was more relaxed than the ranking tournaments and Mark played very well from 2-2. He deserved to win.
“I think all the players have enjoyed this tournament. It’s something different and I’m a fan of the six red format.”
Reigning 15 red world champion John Higgins saw his bid to complete a unique double ended by a 5-1 defeat to Mark King in the quarter-finals.
Ken Doherty, beaten by Duffy in the last 32 and one of the tournament organisers, said he was pleased with the first staging of the short form World Championship.
“The feedback I’ve had from the players has been very positive and we’ll definitely be back next year,” he said.
“There’s no doubt that six reds snooker has its place and we hope to be even bigger and better in 2010.”
17.12.09
JUNGLE JIMMY GETS WEMBLEY WILDCARD
Jimmy White will today be unveiled as the remaining wildcard for next month's Wembley Masters.
White, the 1984 champion, has recently had his popularity boosted through an appearance on ITV's 'I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here.'
He will play Mark King on the opening day, January 10.
This will be a disappointment for Liang Wenbo, the outstanding favourite for the wildcard having reached the Shanghai Masters final earlier this season.
Nobody can argue with White's popular appeal, especially in London.
However, he is currently 62nd in the provisional rankings so many will question whether he really deserves this call up.
White, the 1984 champion, has recently had his popularity boosted through an appearance on ITV's 'I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here.'
He will play Mark King on the opening day, January 10.
This will be a disappointment for Liang Wenbo, the outstanding favourite for the wildcard having reached the Shanghai Masters final earlier this season.
Nobody can argue with White's popular appeal, especially in London.
However, he is currently 62nd in the provisional rankings so many will question whether he really deserves this call up.
16.12.09
HENDRY'S SIX APPEAL
Stephen Hendry is, of course, among the star attractions here at the Six Reds World Championship.
The seven times Crucible champion is much in demand for autographs and pictures from spectators and some of the amateur players.
Hendry is a great pro at all this stuff. He learned it at an early age and accepted it as part and parcel of being at the top of any sport.
He told me he wasn’t completely convinced by six reds snooker but that he was enjoying the tournament and happy to play in it:
“It’s certainly cut throat and there’s not room for many mistakes.
“Purists who want to see big breaks aren’t going to get that because the highest possible break is only 75 but if you had a six red event with all top players it would be intense.
“This is a bit of fun, although the competition is serious once you get out there.
“I’ve known the tournament director, Con O’Sullivan, for a long time and am friends with Ken Doherty so I was very happy to come out here and take part.
“It all takes me back to the start of my career at Pontin’s when you’d wait in the tournament office for your name to be called out and a table number.
“It’s a good event for the public because they don’t usually see top players in this environment, up so close.”
I’d echo that. There is something bizarre yet compelling about watching the likes of Hendry, John Higgins and Ken Doherty rubbing shoulders – sometimes literally – with amateurs from all over the world in the open plan, 13 table set up.
The tournament has also given players from all over the world the chance not just to meet their snooker heroes but also to play them.
Lucky Vatnani, from India, is one such player. He was very excited yesterday about the prospect of playing Hendry. In the event he almost beat him before letting slip a 3-1 lead and losing 4-3.
All of the pros have made it through to the knockout phase and I would expect one of them to win it.
Snooker devotees needn’t worry. Six reds isn’t going to replace the traditional game and neither is it going to harm it.
The players in general see this week as a chance to compete for a €10,000 first prize, come to a hospitable part of the world and wind down after the rigours of the UK Championship.
The atmosphere backstage is relaxed and players are socialising in ways they perhaps wouldn’t at a ranking event – last night’s poker evening was well attended.
And what of Alex Higgins? After two 4-0 defeats he beat James Stewart – for whom today was not such a wonderful life – 4-0 before producing a little bit of Hurricane magic to come back from 2-0 down to be 2-2 with main tour player David Hogan.
Higgins stroked in a terrific long pink and added the black in frame three before a good clearance gave him the fourth.
Sadly for his many fans – and he still has them – he was beaten 4-2.
Eurosport starts its live coverage tomorrow afternoon. Our own Mike Hallett may be playing as he’s made it through to the knockout stage.
The seven times Crucible champion is much in demand for autographs and pictures from spectators and some of the amateur players.
Hendry is a great pro at all this stuff. He learned it at an early age and accepted it as part and parcel of being at the top of any sport.
He told me he wasn’t completely convinced by six reds snooker but that he was enjoying the tournament and happy to play in it:
“It’s certainly cut throat and there’s not room for many mistakes.
“Purists who want to see big breaks aren’t going to get that because the highest possible break is only 75 but if you had a six red event with all top players it would be intense.
“This is a bit of fun, although the competition is serious once you get out there.
“I’ve known the tournament director, Con O’Sullivan, for a long time and am friends with Ken Doherty so I was very happy to come out here and take part.
“It all takes me back to the start of my career at Pontin’s when you’d wait in the tournament office for your name to be called out and a table number.
“It’s a good event for the public because they don’t usually see top players in this environment, up so close.”
I’d echo that. There is something bizarre yet compelling about watching the likes of Hendry, John Higgins and Ken Doherty rubbing shoulders – sometimes literally – with amateurs from all over the world in the open plan, 13 table set up.
The tournament has also given players from all over the world the chance not just to meet their snooker heroes but also to play them.
Lucky Vatnani, from India, is one such player. He was very excited yesterday about the prospect of playing Hendry. In the event he almost beat him before letting slip a 3-1 lead and losing 4-3.
All of the pros have made it through to the knockout phase and I would expect one of them to win it.
Snooker devotees needn’t worry. Six reds isn’t going to replace the traditional game and neither is it going to harm it.
The players in general see this week as a chance to compete for a €10,000 first prize, come to a hospitable part of the world and wind down after the rigours of the UK Championship.
The atmosphere backstage is relaxed and players are socialising in ways they perhaps wouldn’t at a ranking event – last night’s poker evening was well attended.
And what of Alex Higgins? After two 4-0 defeats he beat James Stewart – for whom today was not such a wonderful life – 4-0 before producing a little bit of Hurricane magic to come back from 2-0 down to be 2-2 with main tour player David Hogan.
Higgins stroked in a terrific long pink and added the black in frame three before a good clearance gave him the fourth.
Sadly for his many fans – and he still has them – he was beaten 4-2.
Eurosport starts its live coverage tomorrow afternoon. Our own Mike Hallett may be playing as he’s made it through to the knockout stage.
15.12.09
EVANS WINS BATTLE OF THE SEXES
Reanne Evans pulled off an amazing victory over John Higgins in snooker’s battle of the sexes at the Six Reds World Championship, in association with 888sport.com, in Killarney tonight.
Evans, the reigning women’s world champion, made a superb 51 break to secure the decider and complete a dramatic 4-3 defeat of the current Crucible king.
A tired Higgins had lost a gripping UK Championship final to Ding Junhui just 48 hours earlier and failed to find his top form.
But Evans played well from the start and came close to winning 4-2 before Higgins scrambled the sixth frame on the pink.
He was in first in the decider but, with standing room only for a sizeable crowd at the INEC arena, broke down on just three and Evans killed off frame and match in a single visit.
“John wasn’t firing on all cylinders after the week he’s just had but you have to take advantage,” said West Midlander Evans.
“This is one of my best ever wins. John is world champion, provisional world no.1 and will always be remembered as one of snooker’s greatest players.
“I was pleased with how I finished it off. There were a lot of people watching but that helped me to play well rather than put me under pressure.”
Higgins won his opening match, 4-1 against James Corbett, and is still likely to qualify for the knockout phase.
Evans is almost certain to be through having already beaten Aaron Doran 4-1 before her clash with Higgins.
In another surprise result, 2008 Shanghai Masters champion Ricky Walden was beaten 4-3 by Irishman Declan Brennan.
Six reds snooker is played using the same rules as the established game but with nine fewer reds. It has been described as snooker’s version of Twenty/20 cricket.
The tournament runs until Friday. Entry is free for the first two days with tickets costing €10 on the final two days.
The 130 players from as far afield as Brazil, India and the United Arab Emirates have been split into 23 groups for the round robin stage, played over the first two days, with the knockout phase getting underway on Thursday.
The last two days are being broadcast live on Eurosport and the winner will pocket a cheque for €10,000.
Results and group draws available at: www.6redworldchampionships.com
Evans, the reigning women’s world champion, made a superb 51 break to secure the decider and complete a dramatic 4-3 defeat of the current Crucible king.
A tired Higgins had lost a gripping UK Championship final to Ding Junhui just 48 hours earlier and failed to find his top form.
But Evans played well from the start and came close to winning 4-2 before Higgins scrambled the sixth frame on the pink.
He was in first in the decider but, with standing room only for a sizeable crowd at the INEC arena, broke down on just three and Evans killed off frame and match in a single visit.
“John wasn’t firing on all cylinders after the week he’s just had but you have to take advantage,” said West Midlander Evans.
“This is one of my best ever wins. John is world champion, provisional world no.1 and will always be remembered as one of snooker’s greatest players.
“I was pleased with how I finished it off. There were a lot of people watching but that helped me to play well rather than put me under pressure.”
Higgins won his opening match, 4-1 against James Corbett, and is still likely to qualify for the knockout phase.
Evans is almost certain to be through having already beaten Aaron Doran 4-1 before her clash with Higgins.
In another surprise result, 2008 Shanghai Masters champion Ricky Walden was beaten 4-3 by Irishman Declan Brennan.
Six reds snooker is played using the same rules as the established game but with nine fewer reds. It has been described as snooker’s version of Twenty/20 cricket.
The tournament runs until Friday. Entry is free for the first two days with tickets costing €10 on the final two days.
The 130 players from as far afield as Brazil, India and the United Arab Emirates have been split into 23 groups for the round robin stage, played over the first two days, with the knockout phase getting underway on Thursday.
The last two days are being broadcast live on Eurosport and the winner will pocket a cheque for €10,000.
Results and group draws available at: www.6redworldchampionships.com
ON THE BUTTON
Last season's World Championship was the second most popular sporting event for users of the BBC red button service.
It attracted 3.96m viewers, more than any BBC event other than Wimbledon.
In October, the BBC axed one of its two Freeview channels available through the red button, limiting snooker viewers on this platform to only one table.
It attracted 3.96m viewers, more than any BBC event other than Wimbledon.
In October, the BBC axed one of its two Freeview channels available through the red button, limiting snooker viewers on this platform to only one table.
SIXED UP
So I'm in Killarney for the first ever Six Reds World Championship, sponsored by 888sport.com.
To declare an interest from the off: I was asked to be tournament press officer and am here in that capacity.
There will be 130 group matches today and the same number tomorrow before the knockout phase begins on Thursday with the final on Friday.
Eurosport will screen live coverage on Thursday from 3.15-7pm UK time and on Friday from 3-7pm.
John Higgins is here despite his exertions in Telford, as is Stephen Hendry.
However, there were withdrawals from Shaun Murphy, Peter Ebdon and Mark Allen.
Even so, the likes of Mark Williams, Ryan Day, Matthew Stevens and the one and only Alex Higgins are among the huge international field.
I will also be keeping an eye on the progress of my commentary colleague Mike Hallett.
I'll be posting updates from behind the scenes on twitter.
You can follow the results on the official website and from Janie Watkins on global-snooker.com.
Among the matches today are John Higgins v women's world champion Reanne Evans and Michael Holt v Alex Higgins.
To declare an interest from the off: I was asked to be tournament press officer and am here in that capacity.
There will be 130 group matches today and the same number tomorrow before the knockout phase begins on Thursday with the final on Friday.
Eurosport will screen live coverage on Thursday from 3.15-7pm UK time and on Friday from 3-7pm.
John Higgins is here despite his exertions in Telford, as is Stephen Hendry.
However, there were withdrawals from Shaun Murphy, Peter Ebdon and Mark Allen.
Even so, the likes of Mark Williams, Ryan Day, Matthew Stevens and the one and only Alex Higgins are among the huge international field.
I will also be keeping an eye on the progress of my commentary colleague Mike Hallett.
I'll be posting updates from behind the scenes on twitter.
You can follow the results on the official website and from Janie Watkins on global-snooker.com.
Among the matches today are John Higgins v women's world champion Reanne Evans and Michael Holt v Alex Higgins.
14.12.09
DING IN THE SWING
The emergence of China as a force in snooker was one of the most important developments of the decade about to end so it was perhaps apt that Ding Junhui won its last ranking event tonight.
His victory in the Pukka Pies UK Championship was hard fought. He beat four members of the world's top five in Telford, culminating in a dramatic 10-8 victory over John Higgins in the final.
Ding's fourth ranking title makes him the most successful player to come out of Asia.
Higgins missed a simple brown to lead 8-7 but it was through carelessness rather than pressure. Ironicially, he slipped up because he was playing for position on the blue to give him extra insurance. He took his eye off a seemingly unmissable brown and the match turned at this late stage.
Credit, though, to Ding for the way he held himself together at the end.
He is a fine young player who has now won ranking titles by beating then four greatest players in snooker history in finals: Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis, Ronnie O'Sullivan and now Higgins.
China remains important to snooker's future growth. It won't all rest on Ding's shoulders but he remains the standard bearer.
His victory capped a superb tournament that was well attended and marked out by some very exciting matches.
But what a shame that, yet again, it was a midnight finish. These used to be a novelty, now they are commonplace.
This is too late for kids, too late for those with work in the morning and too late for casual viewers - the very people snooker needs to attract.
Starting at 7pm would at least mean that, come 10.30pm, a casual viewer may stick with the match because there are only two or three frames to go rather than a more daunting five or six.
Not a word of how the match ended will appear in most editions of the morning newspapers.
And the peak viewing audience figure is almost certain to be around an hour before the end.
Let's hope Barry Hearn forces a rethink in future.
His victory in the Pukka Pies UK Championship was hard fought. He beat four members of the world's top five in Telford, culminating in a dramatic 10-8 victory over John Higgins in the final.
Ding's fourth ranking title makes him the most successful player to come out of Asia.
Higgins missed a simple brown to lead 8-7 but it was through carelessness rather than pressure. Ironicially, he slipped up because he was playing for position on the blue to give him extra insurance. He took his eye off a seemingly unmissable brown and the match turned at this late stage.
Credit, though, to Ding for the way he held himself together at the end.
He is a fine young player who has now won ranking titles by beating then four greatest players in snooker history in finals: Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis, Ronnie O'Sullivan and now Higgins.
China remains important to snooker's future growth. It won't all rest on Ding's shoulders but he remains the standard bearer.
His victory capped a superb tournament that was well attended and marked out by some very exciting matches.
But what a shame that, yet again, it was a midnight finish. These used to be a novelty, now they are commonplace.
This is too late for kids, too late for those with work in the morning and too late for casual viewers - the very people snooker needs to attract.
Starting at 7pm would at least mean that, come 10.30pm, a casual viewer may stick with the match because there are only two or three frames to go rather than a more daunting five or six.
Not a word of how the match ended will appear in most editions of the morning newspapers.
And the peak viewing audience figure is almost certain to be around an hour before the end.
Let's hope Barry Hearn forces a rethink in future.
13.12.09
ENTER THE DRAGON
While John Higgins and Ronnie O’Sullivan were locking horns last night in their extraordinary semi-final, Ding Junhui had his feet up in his hotel room and the ferociously talented Chinese potter enters today’s Pukka Pies UK Championship final refreshed and ready to land the title for a second time.
Ding, the 2005 UK champion, has reached the final off the back of three good wins over last year’s winner Shaun Murphy, Ali Carter and Stephen Maguire. He is appearing in a second successive ranking tournament final following his run in the Grand Prix two months ago and has been highly focused and highly effective throughout the week in Telford.
In the balls, he is as good a break builder as O’Sullivan and Higgins. He’s a heavy scorer with more than 150 centuries to his name after only six years on the circuit.
Ding seems to have rediscovered the self belief he lost off the back of demoralising defeats to O’Sullivan in the 2007 Masters final and in the first round of that year’s World Championship.
He has played Higgins nine times but only beaten him twice. Even so, the Scot still has to come down from the amazing drama of his semi-final.
Higgins led O’Sullivan 8-2 but lost six frames on the spin in what threatened to become the most disappointing result of his long and distinguished career.
In the end, he fell over the winning line in a nervy decider and he needs to somehow pick himself back up and concentrate on today’s best of 19 frames clash.
That is easier said than done, which is why Ding needs to hit him early and do some damage in the first session.
If he can get on top and carry a good lead into the evening it will be hard to see him losing.
Ding’s upturn in fortunes has been a long time coming. He has exhibited mental strength and played extremely well in high pressure situations just to get this far.
A second UK title is within his grasp if he keeps believing.
Ding, the 2005 UK champion, has reached the final off the back of three good wins over last year’s winner Shaun Murphy, Ali Carter and Stephen Maguire. He is appearing in a second successive ranking tournament final following his run in the Grand Prix two months ago and has been highly focused and highly effective throughout the week in Telford.
In the balls, he is as good a break builder as O’Sullivan and Higgins. He’s a heavy scorer with more than 150 centuries to his name after only six years on the circuit.
Ding seems to have rediscovered the self belief he lost off the back of demoralising defeats to O’Sullivan in the 2007 Masters final and in the first round of that year’s World Championship.
He has played Higgins nine times but only beaten him twice. Even so, the Scot still has to come down from the amazing drama of his semi-final.
Higgins led O’Sullivan 8-2 but lost six frames on the spin in what threatened to become the most disappointing result of his long and distinguished career.
In the end, he fell over the winning line in a nervy decider and he needs to somehow pick himself back up and concentrate on today’s best of 19 frames clash.
That is easier said than done, which is why Ding needs to hit him early and do some damage in the first session.
If he can get on top and carry a good lead into the evening it will be hard to see him losing.
Ding’s upturn in fortunes has been a long time coming. He has exhibited mental strength and played extremely well in high pressure situations just to get this far.
A second UK title is within his grasp if he keeps believing.
12.12.09
OH WHAT A NIGHT
So ends a night of extraordinary drama in which John Higgins...just...has booked his place in the Pukka Pies UK Championship final with his 9-8 victory over Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Higgins won the first world ranking title of the decade, the 2000 Welsh Open, and if he beats Ding Junhui tomorrow he will win the last.
Right now, he’ll just be relieved to be through.
Leading 8-2 he was playing superbly but O’Sullivan was at 92% pot success at the time which tells you that although he had been largely shut out, he was still playing well.
They came back after the interval at 8-4, Higgins still confident of victory. Then came an incident which symbolised the turnaround even if it didn’t directly cause it.
After being called for six successive misses while snookered on all colours, O’Sullivan inadvertently touched the black with his hand.
Higgins asked for him to be put back in but the referee, Jan Verhaas, stated that it could not be called a miss because no stroke had been played.
On Eurosport commentary I agreed with him, but it was clear that this is a grey area and nobody seemed to know for sure.
Verhaas thought it over and called a miss. O’Sullivan intervened and Verhaas changed his mind and reverted to his original decision.
This is one of those arcane areas that needs to be clarified. I’m sure any referees reading this will have their own views.
I'm not for a minute saying O'Sullivan did this, but what is to stop a player being called for misses getting out of the situation by deliberately fouling a ball?
The match continued and Higgins grew edgy – understandably. Even at 8-2 he would know, somewhere in the back of his mind, that the one player in the world today capable of coming back from so far behind – apart from himself – is O’Sullivan.
And he did. All the way to 8-8.
He was in the balls in the decider but missed a pink and Higgins made what was, under the circumstances, an excellent 56 break to leave him a ball from making frame and match safe.
He later potted it to lead by 47 with 43 on. O’Sullivan chose not to play on. Considering he had fought so hard from 8-2 down this surprised me.
Perhaps by then he believed he didn’t deserve to win. Who knows? It was a night of high drama where anything was possible.
It was also a great advert for snooker: two world class players locking horns before a packed audience in one of the game’s biggest events.
The match lived up to the billing. It was superb entertainment.
Higgins won the first world ranking title of the decade, the 2000 Welsh Open, and if he beats Ding Junhui tomorrow he will win the last.
Right now, he’ll just be relieved to be through.
Leading 8-2 he was playing superbly but O’Sullivan was at 92% pot success at the time which tells you that although he had been largely shut out, he was still playing well.
They came back after the interval at 8-4, Higgins still confident of victory. Then came an incident which symbolised the turnaround even if it didn’t directly cause it.
After being called for six successive misses while snookered on all colours, O’Sullivan inadvertently touched the black with his hand.
Higgins asked for him to be put back in but the referee, Jan Verhaas, stated that it could not be called a miss because no stroke had been played.
On Eurosport commentary I agreed with him, but it was clear that this is a grey area and nobody seemed to know for sure.
Verhaas thought it over and called a miss. O’Sullivan intervened and Verhaas changed his mind and reverted to his original decision.
This is one of those arcane areas that needs to be clarified. I’m sure any referees reading this will have their own views.
I'm not for a minute saying O'Sullivan did this, but what is to stop a player being called for misses getting out of the situation by deliberately fouling a ball?
The match continued and Higgins grew edgy – understandably. Even at 8-2 he would know, somewhere in the back of his mind, that the one player in the world today capable of coming back from so far behind – apart from himself – is O’Sullivan.
And he did. All the way to 8-8.
He was in the balls in the decider but missed a pink and Higgins made what was, under the circumstances, an excellent 56 break to leave him a ball from making frame and match safe.
He later potted it to lead by 47 with 43 on. O’Sullivan chose not to play on. Considering he had fought so hard from 8-2 down this surprised me.
Perhaps by then he believed he didn’t deserve to win. Who knows? It was a night of high drama where anything was possible.
It was also a great advert for snooker: two world class players locking horns before a packed audience in one of the game’s biggest events.
The match lived up to the billing. It was superb entertainment.
LIFE OF PIE
I always enjoy reading Simon Barnes in The Times.
Here's his take today on the UK Championship:
It is rare that a sponsor can itself be an attraction to a sporting event. But the Pukka Pies UK Championship is a glorious thing, quite impossible to say without a smirk. It’s not exactly Asprey’s, is it? It’s snooker, of course, and it reminds me of my days at Fisher’s snooker hall in Wimbledon, eating bacon sandwiches and drinking stewed tea as I and my colleague on the Wimbledon News played for the Pot White championship.
Snooker’s great beauty is that its greatest tensions and its toughest battles are gloriously soporific: hypnotising the viewer into a Zen-like state of empty-mindedness. The patterns, the collisions, the colours; all the rivalry, all the anxiety, all the desperation is refined into a calming click-clack of dancing spheres.
Snooker is an enthralling game, and perhaps the only one in which one might find enlightenment. It’s all about calculation, about mathematics in action. It comes down to the impossible: who could ever calculate the square root of Pukka Pie?
Here's his take today on the UK Championship:
It is rare that a sponsor can itself be an attraction to a sporting event. But the Pukka Pies UK Championship is a glorious thing, quite impossible to say without a smirk. It’s not exactly Asprey’s, is it? It’s snooker, of course, and it reminds me of my days at Fisher’s snooker hall in Wimbledon, eating bacon sandwiches and drinking stewed tea as I and my colleague on the Wimbledon News played for the Pot White championship.
Snooker’s great beauty is that its greatest tensions and its toughest battles are gloriously soporific: hypnotising the viewer into a Zen-like state of empty-mindedness. The patterns, the collisions, the colours; all the rivalry, all the anxiety, all the desperation is refined into a calming click-clack of dancing spheres.
Snooker is an enthralling game, and perhaps the only one in which one might find enlightenment. It’s all about calculation, about mathematics in action. It comes down to the impossible: who could ever calculate the square root of Pukka Pie?
10.12.09
RAISING THE BAR
Some incredible snooker from John Higgins and Ronnie O'Sullivan today has set up what will be their first ever meeting in the UK Championship.
They've been the two outstanding players of the decade so it's fitting they should meet in its last ranking event, even if it's in the semis and not the final.
Standards have improved over the years but so have conditions. The balls split far more easily than they once did on these super-fast cloths, which makes break building easier.
But the key word there is 'easier' - they still have to be knocked in and Higgins and O'Sullivan today produced between them some really outstanding stuff.
Bring on Saturday!
They've been the two outstanding players of the decade so it's fitting they should meet in its last ranking event, even if it's in the semis and not the final.
Standards have improved over the years but so have conditions. The balls split far more easily than they once did on these super-fast cloths, which makes break building easier.
But the key word there is 'easier' - they still have to be knocked in and Higgins and O'Sullivan today produced between them some really outstanding stuff.
Bring on Saturday!
DING IN THE SWING
I was very impressed by the way Ding Junhui completed his 9-8 victory over Ali Carter in the Pukka Pies UK Championship last night.
He didn’t flinch and he didn’t falter as two sizeable breaks from 8-7 down got him through to the semi-finals.
The 22 year-old Chinese was in the doldrums for a couple of years but his run to the Grand Prix final in October has brought about a huge injection of confidence.
Ding was knocked back by two heavy defeats to Ronnie O’Sullivan: in the 2007 Masters final and later at the Crucible.
And his road back to full snooker health can surely only be achieved if he beats O’Sullivan on a big stage – Sunday’s final being the perfect time – to truly exorcise those demons.
But O’Sullivan first has his work cut out today against Mark Selby, who started the season slowly and was 8-4 down to Jamie Cope in the first round but fought back to win 9-8 and played much better to see off Stephen Hendry 9-5 in the last 16.
The Leicester Jester is difficult to play against because of the various facets to his game. He’s a very heavy scorer – only John Higgins made more centuries last season – but also possesses a rock solid tactical game.
Selby is also prone to making jokes and some players, keen to concentrate, can find this off-putting.
O’Sullivan was undone from 8-5 up in the 2008 Welsh Open final when he allowed himself to become frustrated by Selby’s more methodical approach.
However, the Rocket had learned his lesson by the time the pair met in last season’s Wembley Masters final, which O’Sullivan shaded 10-8.
He was also the model of patience in beating Peter Ebdon 9-3 in the second round but although he was generally solid, Ebdon made a lot of mistakes.
So O’Sullivan will have to raise his game to see off Selby, who is full of confidence and returning to form.
Selby’s hotel room was burgled while he was playing Hendry, resulting in his car being stolen.
With trademark nonchalance he seems to have shrugged this off. Nicking a place in the semis might be a consolation.
He didn’t flinch and he didn’t falter as two sizeable breaks from 8-7 down got him through to the semi-finals.
The 22 year-old Chinese was in the doldrums for a couple of years but his run to the Grand Prix final in October has brought about a huge injection of confidence.
Ding was knocked back by two heavy defeats to Ronnie O’Sullivan: in the 2007 Masters final and later at the Crucible.
And his road back to full snooker health can surely only be achieved if he beats O’Sullivan on a big stage – Sunday’s final being the perfect time – to truly exorcise those demons.
But O’Sullivan first has his work cut out today against Mark Selby, who started the season slowly and was 8-4 down to Jamie Cope in the first round but fought back to win 9-8 and played much better to see off Stephen Hendry 9-5 in the last 16.
The Leicester Jester is difficult to play against because of the various facets to his game. He’s a very heavy scorer – only John Higgins made more centuries last season – but also possesses a rock solid tactical game.
Selby is also prone to making jokes and some players, keen to concentrate, can find this off-putting.
O’Sullivan was undone from 8-5 up in the 2008 Welsh Open final when he allowed himself to become frustrated by Selby’s more methodical approach.
However, the Rocket had learned his lesson by the time the pair met in last season’s Wembley Masters final, which O’Sullivan shaded 10-8.
He was also the model of patience in beating Peter Ebdon 9-3 in the second round but although he was generally solid, Ebdon made a lot of mistakes.
So O’Sullivan will have to raise his game to see off Selby, who is full of confidence and returning to form.
Selby’s hotel room was burgled while he was playing Hendry, resulting in his car being stolen.
With trademark nonchalance he seems to have shrugged this off. Nicking a place in the semis might be a consolation.
9.12.09
CENTURY OF CENTURIES FOR CARTER
Ali Carter today became the 32nd player to compile a century of centuries in professional competition.
He had been on 98 since the Welsh Open until coming to Telford this week.
He had been on 98 since the Welsh Open until coming to Telford this week.
8.12.09
TORTOISE V HARE: THE REMATCH
When an unstoppable force meets an immovable object something has to give. But who will win out between the fast, attacking Ronnie O’Sullivan and the gritty, grinding Peter Ebdon in the second round of the Pukka Pies UK Championship today?
Famously, indeed controversially, the tortoise beat the hare at the Crucible in 2005 when Ebdon mounted a rearguard action to recover from 8-2 down and win their quarter-final 13-11.
Ebdon denied that he had slowed the pace of play down deliberately – at one point he took five minutes to make a break of 12 – but, all the same, he got under O’Sullivan’s skin and did a proper number on him.
Ebdon has won 11 of his 28 meetings with O’Sullivan, not a terrible record by any means against the world no.1.
But O’Sullivan demonstrated great patience in beating Matthew Stevens 9-3 yesterday, exhibiting some sublime safety play and gradually getting better as the match went on, winning nine of the last ten frames.
O’Sullivan may not look forward to playing Ebdon but would enjoy beating him.
Looking for a fifth UK title, O’Sullivan has arrived in Telford in cheery form fresh from turning 34 last weekend.
He is in a good mood following the coup that saw his friend Barry Hearn installed as chairman of the WPBSA.
And though his game is not at 100% yet, he’s not a player anyone wants to draw.
Ebdon had a good win over Judd Trump in which he won all five frames played in the final session. O’Sullivan, though, is a different prospect entirely.
Ding Junhui certainly has the game to end Shaun Murphy’s title defence but has only beaten him once in six meetings.
Ali Carter was delayed until midnight through a combination of a stubborn opponent in Rory McLeod and the roll on/roll off format whereas his second round opponent, Stephen Lee, has had a day off between matches.
Rank outsider Peter Lines is appearing in the last 16 of a ranking event for the first time in ten years but twice champion Mark Williams surely represents a match too far for him.
Famously, indeed controversially, the tortoise beat the hare at the Crucible in 2005 when Ebdon mounted a rearguard action to recover from 8-2 down and win their quarter-final 13-11.
Ebdon denied that he had slowed the pace of play down deliberately – at one point he took five minutes to make a break of 12 – but, all the same, he got under O’Sullivan’s skin and did a proper number on him.
Ebdon has won 11 of his 28 meetings with O’Sullivan, not a terrible record by any means against the world no.1.
But O’Sullivan demonstrated great patience in beating Matthew Stevens 9-3 yesterday, exhibiting some sublime safety play and gradually getting better as the match went on, winning nine of the last ten frames.
O’Sullivan may not look forward to playing Ebdon but would enjoy beating him.
Looking for a fifth UK title, O’Sullivan has arrived in Telford in cheery form fresh from turning 34 last weekend.
He is in a good mood following the coup that saw his friend Barry Hearn installed as chairman of the WPBSA.
And though his game is not at 100% yet, he’s not a player anyone wants to draw.
Ebdon had a good win over Judd Trump in which he won all five frames played in the final session. O’Sullivan, though, is a different prospect entirely.
Ding Junhui certainly has the game to end Shaun Murphy’s title defence but has only beaten him once in six meetings.
Ali Carter was delayed until midnight through a combination of a stubborn opponent in Rory McLeod and the roll on/roll off format whereas his second round opponent, Stephen Lee, has had a day off between matches.
Rank outsider Peter Lines is appearing in the last 16 of a ranking event for the first time in ten years but twice champion Mark Williams surely represents a match too far for him.
7.12.09
TABLE TALK
It's been an entertaining start to the Pukka Pies UK Championship.
The snooker has been exciting - Selby v Cope, Maguire v Holt, Hendry v Davis and Higgins v Walden in particular - there have been large crowds and the conditions look excellent.
Steve Davis and others reckon the middle pockets on the Star tables, in use this season, are a bit tougher than the Riley Aristocrat tables in use last year. It may only be fractions but that's what the game often comes down to.
Still, we've had 17 centuries in the first two days and with Ronnie O'Sullivan, Ding Junhui and Ali Carter all in action today we may well have more.
Watch out for Carter: he needs two to get to 100 for his professional career.
The snooker has been exciting - Selby v Cope, Maguire v Holt, Hendry v Davis and Higgins v Walden in particular - there have been large crowds and the conditions look excellent.
Steve Davis and others reckon the middle pockets on the Star tables, in use this season, are a bit tougher than the Riley Aristocrat tables in use last year. It may only be fractions but that's what the game often comes down to.
Still, we've had 17 centuries in the first two days and with Ronnie O'Sullivan, Ding Junhui and Ali Carter all in action today we may well have more.
Watch out for Carter: he needs two to get to 100 for his professional career.
6.12.09
HENDRY V DAVIS
Stephen Hendry and Steve Davis first contested the UK Championship final 20 years ago.
The following year, 1990, they took part in what remains one of the best finals ever played.
Hendry won both matches and leads Davis 43-18 in career meetings but the two players are arguably more closely matched now then they have been since those two Preston finals.
There's no doubt Hendry is struggling to follow a good performance with one equally as strong. He still plays very well in spells but at other times things are just not happening for him.
Davis remains a battler, as he proved in beating Michael Judge 9-7 to qualify, and beat Hendry the last time they played in a ranking event, in the semi-finals of the 2005 UK Championship.
It's a classic pairing between the two greatest players of all time. The snooker they produce may not live up to the billing but it is still a match to relish.
The following year, 1990, they took part in what remains one of the best finals ever played.
Hendry won both matches and leads Davis 43-18 in career meetings but the two players are arguably more closely matched now then they have been since those two Preston finals.
There's no doubt Hendry is struggling to follow a good performance with one equally as strong. He still plays very well in spells but at other times things are just not happening for him.
Davis remains a battler, as he proved in beating Michael Judge 9-7 to qualify, and beat Hendry the last time they played in a ranking event, in the semi-finals of the 2005 UK Championship.
It's a classic pairing between the two greatest players of all time. The snooker they produce may not live up to the billing but it is still a match to relish.
5.12.09
DOTT GONE
Graeme Dott has withdrawn from the Pukka Pies UK Championship after experiencing dizzy spells during the first session of his match against Mark Williams.
Dott trailed 6-2 after Williams compiled six half century breaks.
He had felt unwell during the afternoon, went back to his hotel for a meal and decided he could not continue.
Dott trailed 6-2 after Williams compiled six half century breaks.
He had felt unwell during the afternoon, went back to his hotel for a meal and decided he could not continue.
4.12.09
ON TO TELFORD
So enough of the off table stuff...
The Pukka Pies UK Championship starts in Telford tomorrow and the standout tie of the first round pits world champion John Higgins against the dangerous Ricky Walden.
Walden currently sits 13th in the provisional rankings having won last season’s Shanghai Masters. He has played Higgins twice before and beaten him on both occasions.
Higgins, though, has been very consistent this year, reaching the semi-finals at least of the last four ranking events.
Stephen Hendry and Steve Davis have 11 UK titles between them and contested the final in 1989 and 1990.
They are meeting yet again in the first round, with Davis well placed to get one over on his old rival who, in Davis’s words, “has bashed me up down the years.”
Hendry certainly has a good record with 43 wins against him to Davis’s 18 but is struggling for form and Davis has a victory under his belt, having beaten Michael Judge 9-7 earlier this week to qualify.
It’s a first round with several matches that are tough to call, but Grand Prix champion Neil Robertson should beat Tom Ford and Ding Junhui will be heavy favourite against Mike Dunn.
Where will the shocks come?
Well, Crucible semi-finalist Mark Allen, rusty through lack of matches, could be vulnerable against the experienced Stephen Lee.
And Stephen Maguire, who like Allen hasn’t played competitively for two months, won’t have it all his own way against Michael Holt, who played well to beat Dominic Dale 9-4 in the qualifiers.
Mark Selby, who has fallen to 15th in the latest rankings, faces a tough opening test in the shape of Jamie Cope, whose long potting and all out attacking game can be very effective.
Peter Ebdon, the winner three years ago, will have to call on all his years of experience to handle another dangerous young potter, Judd Trump.
World no.6 Ryan Day is also up against it as he tackles Liang Wenbo, this season’s Shanghai Masters runner-up.
The outright market makes Ronnie O’Sullivan favourite for the title but he has his own problems having drawn Matthew Stevens, the 2003 UK champion, in the first round.
The Pukka Pies UK Championship starts in Telford tomorrow and the standout tie of the first round pits world champion John Higgins against the dangerous Ricky Walden.
Walden currently sits 13th in the provisional rankings having won last season’s Shanghai Masters. He has played Higgins twice before and beaten him on both occasions.
Higgins, though, has been very consistent this year, reaching the semi-finals at least of the last four ranking events.
Stephen Hendry and Steve Davis have 11 UK titles between them and contested the final in 1989 and 1990.
They are meeting yet again in the first round, with Davis well placed to get one over on his old rival who, in Davis’s words, “has bashed me up down the years.”
Hendry certainly has a good record with 43 wins against him to Davis’s 18 but is struggling for form and Davis has a victory under his belt, having beaten Michael Judge 9-7 earlier this week to qualify.
It’s a first round with several matches that are tough to call, but Grand Prix champion Neil Robertson should beat Tom Ford and Ding Junhui will be heavy favourite against Mike Dunn.
Where will the shocks come?
Well, Crucible semi-finalist Mark Allen, rusty through lack of matches, could be vulnerable against the experienced Stephen Lee.
And Stephen Maguire, who like Allen hasn’t played competitively for two months, won’t have it all his own way against Michael Holt, who played well to beat Dominic Dale 9-4 in the qualifiers.
Mark Selby, who has fallen to 15th in the latest rankings, faces a tough opening test in the shape of Jamie Cope, whose long potting and all out attacking game can be very effective.
Peter Ebdon, the winner three years ago, will have to call on all his years of experience to handle another dangerous young potter, Judd Trump.
World no.6 Ryan Day is also up against it as he tackles Liang Wenbo, this season’s Shanghai Masters runner-up.
The outright market makes Ronnie O’Sullivan favourite for the title but he has his own problems having drawn Matthew Stevens, the 2003 UK champion, in the first round.
BROADCASTER AND SPONSOR FOR SIX REDS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
The first ever Six Reds World Championship later this month will be shown on Eurosport, who are covering the last two days live.
And the tournament will be sponsored by 888sport.com.
A host of big names are taking part in the event in Killarney, which runs from December 15-18, including John Higgins, Stephen Hendry, Shaun Murphy, Mark Selby, Neil Robertson and Alex Higgins.
And the tournament will be sponsored by 888sport.com.
A host of big names are taking part in the event in Killarney, which runs from December 15-18, including John Higgins, Stephen Hendry, Shaun Murphy, Mark Selby, Neil Robertson and Alex Higgins.
BARRY HEARN TO BE CHAIRMAN
Barry Hearn and Steve Davis were today co-opted to the board of the WPBSA by remaining board members Lee Doyle and Hamish McInnes.
A meeting on December 16 will install Hearn as chairman.
I think everyone will agree that Doyle and McInnes have acted responsibly in listening to the players' wishes and resolving this as quickly as possible.
It means we can start the Pukka Pies UK Championship tomorrow with the focus only on the play on the table.
Things are certainly going to change - we all hope for the better - because Hearn is not a fan of how the WPBSA is currently set up.
Hopefully everyone in the sport will pull together to give him the support he needs.
A meeting on December 16 will install Hearn as chairman.
I think everyone will agree that Doyle and McInnes have acted responsibly in listening to the players' wishes and resolving this as quickly as possible.
It means we can start the Pukka Pies UK Championship tomorrow with the focus only on the play on the table.
Things are certainly going to change - we all hope for the better - because Hearn is not a fan of how the WPBSA is currently set up.
Hopefully everyone in the sport will pull together to give him the support he needs.
3.12.09
MAGUIRE'S GRANDFATHER DIES
Very sadly, Stephen Maguire’s grandfather, Paddy, has died on the eve of the Pukka Pies UK Championship.
But for Paddy, Stephen may never have become a top player. When he was a boy, he practised at his grandfather’s house after Paddy knocked down a wall between two rooms to install a full sized table.
He was a charming man and understandably very proud when Stephen won the UK title in 2004.
Sadly, Stephen will have to miss the funeral to play in Telford.
“My granddad told me he wanted me to go to the UK Championship. That’s what he wanted me to do, and I will be carrying out his wishes,” he said.
“Naturally this is a sad time. But I can console myself thinking he did see me win and about how much he enjoyed being in York that night I won this title.”
Everyone at Snooker Scene sends our sympathies to Stephen and his family.
But for Paddy, Stephen may never have become a top player. When he was a boy, he practised at his grandfather’s house after Paddy knocked down a wall between two rooms to install a full sized table.
He was a charming man and understandably very proud when Stephen won the UK title in 2004.
Sadly, Stephen will have to miss the funeral to play in Telford.
“My granddad told me he wanted me to go to the UK Championship. That’s what he wanted me to do, and I will be carrying out his wishes,” he said.
“Naturally this is a sad time. But I can console myself thinking he did see me win and about how much he enjoyed being in York that night I won this title.”
Everyone at Snooker Scene sends our sympathies to Stephen and his family.
WHAT THE PAPERS SAY
Yesterday's AGM has brought coverage and comment in UK newspapers and other media outlets.
Here is a selection...
Phil Yates in The Times.
Clive Everton in The Guardian.
Ronnie O'Sullivan gives his reaction in the Daily Express.
Hearn talks to The Sun.
He says he wants to keep the World Championship at the Crucible in the Daily Telegraph.
Comment from the Daily Mail.
And from the BBC.
Report from Sky Sports.
Account of Walker's exit from Eurosport.
More from the Mail.
Hearn promises a new era of openness to the Press Association.
Here is a selection...
Phil Yates in The Times.
Clive Everton in The Guardian.
Ronnie O'Sullivan gives his reaction in the Daily Express.
Hearn talks to The Sun.
He says he wants to keep the World Championship at the Crucible in the Daily Telegraph.
Comment from the Daily Mail.
And from the BBC.
Report from Sky Sports.
Account of Walker's exit from Eurosport.
More from the Mail.
Hearn promises a new era of openness to the Press Association.
2.12.09
BARRY HEARN STATEMENT
Barry Hearn has issued the following statement following the AGM:
"Obviously I am delighted with today’s decision of the voting Members of the WPBSA and I relish the opportunity to revitalise the sport of snooker in the ensuing months ahead.
"There is a lot to be done and I can’t wait to get really involved, but there is still the question of my actual appointment to the Board being legally resolved.
"I am sure this will happen in the next few days and then the fun starts!
"At this stage all I can promise the membership of the WPBSA is total transparency, coupled with a regular supply of truthful information.
"Today is the beginning of a new era in snooker – we start NOW."
"Obviously I am delighted with today’s decision of the voting Members of the WPBSA and I relish the opportunity to revitalise the sport of snooker in the ensuing months ahead.
"There is a lot to be done and I can’t wait to get really involved, but there is still the question of my actual appointment to the Board being legally resolved.
"I am sure this will happen in the next few days and then the fun starts!
"At this stage all I can promise the membership of the WPBSA is total transparency, coupled with a regular supply of truthful information.
"Today is the beginning of a new era in snooker – we start NOW."
THE WAY FORWARD
So Sir Rodney Walker has been deposed as WPBSA chairman but – and far be it from me to water down the widespread jubilation there appears to be in the game at this moment – the road ahead may be rocky.
Walker, Jim McMahon and Mike Dunn have indeed been voted off the board of the WPBSA. However, Walker and McMahon remain directors of World Snooker Limited, the commercial body that runs alongside the main board.
I think they should both resign from it because the players clearly don’t want them...but that doesn’t mean that they will.
The WPBSA board now has only two members: Lee Doyle and Hamish McInnes.
The constitution apparently decrees they co-opt a professional first. This should not be a player associated with either rival camp.
I would suggest an experienced, uncontroversial player who commands widespread respect, like Alan McManus or Nigel Bond.
They should immediately co-opt Barry Hearn to the board. The players have made it clear today that they want Hearn in as chairman. Failure to co-opt him would destroy the game's credibility and lead to an EGM to remove Doyle and McInnes.
Once in place, Hearn and his fellow board members should co-opt other responsible members and begin the process of renewing this bruised and battered sport.
There should not be recriminations or triumphalism. Sir Rodney should be thanked for his efforts as chairman and we should look only to the future, not the past.
Hearn’s first priority as chairman should be an independent financial audit of the association to discover its true position, because only then can he put together a business plan.
There should also be a review of senior staff to see if the WPBSA is getting value for money.
There should be a review of the tournament structure, with input from players, and of how to expand the ranking system.
There should be meetings with private promoters, many of whom have been ignored by the outgoing administration, to try and start up new events.
There should be an investigation into the financial position of the World Snooker Academy, the accounts for which have never been disclosed.
There should be a review of the WPBSA’s media strategy – assuming it has one – to ascertain how to return the sport to the newspapers.
There should be meetings with broadcasters and sponsors to reassure them as to the way forward.
In effect, the entire sport should be relaunched.
Make no mistake, miracles will not happen overnight. Tournaments will not magically appear, but one of the things that certainly helped tip the balance in favour of Hearn was a declaration from IMG today that they would be happy to work with him on the new world tour plans announced last week.
Hearn has great energy. He relishes a challenge and I have no doubt he and his team will roll up their sleeves and get stuck in almost immediately.
Not everything they will do will meet favour with everyone, but with Steve Davis acting as a guiding hand, I think any fears that snooker’s integrity will be threatened are unfounded.
This is a day of hope, a day many feared would not come.
Professional snooker is still a relatively young sport. It’s already had one boom, who is to say it can’t have another: in Europe, the Middle East and Asia?
It’s still morning in the snooker world and there’s still much that our game can accomplish.
And it starts today.
Walker, Jim McMahon and Mike Dunn have indeed been voted off the board of the WPBSA. However, Walker and McMahon remain directors of World Snooker Limited, the commercial body that runs alongside the main board.
I think they should both resign from it because the players clearly don’t want them...but that doesn’t mean that they will.
The WPBSA board now has only two members: Lee Doyle and Hamish McInnes.
The constitution apparently decrees they co-opt a professional first. This should not be a player associated with either rival camp.
I would suggest an experienced, uncontroversial player who commands widespread respect, like Alan McManus or Nigel Bond.
They should immediately co-opt Barry Hearn to the board. The players have made it clear today that they want Hearn in as chairman. Failure to co-opt him would destroy the game's credibility and lead to an EGM to remove Doyle and McInnes.
Once in place, Hearn and his fellow board members should co-opt other responsible members and begin the process of renewing this bruised and battered sport.
There should not be recriminations or triumphalism. Sir Rodney should be thanked for his efforts as chairman and we should look only to the future, not the past.
Hearn’s first priority as chairman should be an independent financial audit of the association to discover its true position, because only then can he put together a business plan.
There should also be a review of senior staff to see if the WPBSA is getting value for money.
There should be a review of the tournament structure, with input from players, and of how to expand the ranking system.
There should be meetings with private promoters, many of whom have been ignored by the outgoing administration, to try and start up new events.
There should be an investigation into the financial position of the World Snooker Academy, the accounts for which have never been disclosed.
There should be a review of the WPBSA’s media strategy – assuming it has one – to ascertain how to return the sport to the newspapers.
There should be meetings with broadcasters and sponsors to reassure them as to the way forward.
In effect, the entire sport should be relaunched.
Make no mistake, miracles will not happen overnight. Tournaments will not magically appear, but one of the things that certainly helped tip the balance in favour of Hearn was a declaration from IMG today that they would be happy to work with him on the new world tour plans announced last week.
Hearn has great energy. He relishes a challenge and I have no doubt he and his team will roll up their sleeves and get stuck in almost immediately.
Not everything they will do will meet favour with everyone, but with Steve Davis acting as a guiding hand, I think any fears that snooker’s integrity will be threatened are unfounded.
This is a day of hope, a day many feared would not come.
Professional snooker is still a relatively young sport. It’s already had one boom, who is to say it can’t have another: in Europe, the Middle East and Asia?
It’s still morning in the snooker world and there’s still much that our game can accomplish.
And it starts today.
WPBSA STATEMENT
The WPBSA has released the following statement after today's AGM:
"Following an AGM, held in Sheffield today, at which Sir Rodney Walker, Jim McMahon and Mike Dunn were not re-elected to the board of the WPBSA, and at which no other individual stood for election, the remaining board members, Lee Doyle and Dr Hamish McInnes, will now co-opt further individuals to the board, as a matter of priority. The first such appointment will be a professional player, as governed by the constitution of the WPBSA."
Two points:
1) Why are the WPBSA not announcing the actual voting figures?
2) They'd better not co-opt Peter Ebdon, a player associated entirely with the board that has just been rejected (he stepped down earlier this year with Sir David Richards to save the WPBSA money).
"Following an AGM, held in Sheffield today, at which Sir Rodney Walker, Jim McMahon and Mike Dunn were not re-elected to the board of the WPBSA, and at which no other individual stood for election, the remaining board members, Lee Doyle and Dr Hamish McInnes, will now co-opt further individuals to the board, as a matter of priority. The first such appointment will be a professional player, as governed by the constitution of the WPBSA."
Two points:
1) Why are the WPBSA not announcing the actual voting figures?
2) They'd better not co-opt Peter Ebdon, a player associated entirely with the board that has just been rejected (he stepped down earlier this year with Sir David Richards to save the WPBSA money).
WALKER 'DEFEATED' AT AGM
Unconfirmed reports from Sheffield suggest Sir Rodney Walker has been defeated in his bid to remain WPBSA chairman by 32 votes to 24.
More follows as I get it...
EDIT: World Snooker has confirmed Walker, Jim McMahon and Mike Dunn have all been voted off the board of the WPBSA.
UPDATE: It seems the actual figure was 35-24 against all three board members but the WPBSA is refusing to disclose them.
Why? This is indicative of the needless secrecy that needs to end. Now.
More follows as I get it...
EDIT: World Snooker has confirmed Walker, Jim McMahon and Mike Dunn have all been voted off the board of the WPBSA.
UPDATE: It seems the actual figure was 35-24 against all three board members but the WPBSA is refusing to disclose them.
Why? This is indicative of the needless secrecy that needs to end. Now.
1.12.09
ELECTION DAY
There hasn’t been a WPBSA AGM so eagerly anticipated by the snooker world in a decade.
Tomorrow at 12pm in Sheffield, a city more used to on table battles, players will meet to decide whether to keep things as they are now and hope for a turnaround under the current regime or take a chance on a new way forward.
The last crucial vote was an EGM to remove the board shortly after the rejection of the Altium deal in 2002. The board survived 48-36.
Prior to this there was a period where there seemed to be a crunch vote every few months.
These were not always straightforward affairs. There was one AGM in a hotel in Birmingham held just before Christmas that descended into farce when the scrutineers, on their way to count the votes, found their path to the lift blocked by a conga of old aged pensioners.
Many of these votes were close with all manner of promises and misinformation having swirled around for weeks, as is the way of political campaigning.
Indeed, in the lead up to the current AGM a rumour went round that Barry Hearn, who has said he would be prepared to become chairman if Sir Rodney Walker is defeated, was planning to cut the professional circuit to just 32 players, something Hearn categorically denies.
There’s no evidence this was sanctioned by anyone high up in the governing body, although it could be an example of what Walker meant by ‘misleading, inaccurate and downright untruthful’ comments he alluded to last week.
Both sides have been crunching the numbers and there are indications the vote will be close.
It’s hard to see how it can’t be considering the constituency of voters is just 72: the top 64 from the past two seasons plus the five current WPBSA board members.
It’s not known whether Jimmy White sent in a proxy form before heading into the Australian bush. In such a small group of voters, it could ultimately make all the difference.
Walker, as incumbent, started favourite but there has been a groundswell against him in recent days.
Many players are simply fed up with the way things stand now and the ‘time for a change’ mantra is a difficult one to resist.
Then again, the only figure I will believe is the one that comes tomorrow. The BBC exit poll from the 1992 British general election forecast a hung parliament. In the end, John Major’s Conservatives won with a record vote.
But the exit poll wasn’t wrong – huge numbers of people had simply been unable to admit they were voting Conservative.
Walker is apparently behind right now, but that’s assuming everyone is telling the truth about their intentions. In a secret ballot, you never really know.
The great irony is that Walker was not under any obligation to stand for election this year. He was due to next year but said he brought it forward because he wanted to show the BBC and others that the sport had firm leadership and stability as key contracts were renegotiated.
This is commendable but his administration’s refusal to recognise the newly formed Snooker Players Association has brought us to this point. It was the SPA who persuaded Hearn to effectively throw his hat into the ring.
After becoming WPBSA chairman in 2004, Walker very quickly set about bringing stability to snooker, both financial and political.
Rows continued, as they do in all sports, but snooker’s fortunes appeared to be turning around.
Walker helped bring in replacement sponsors for the game’s three biggest events – the World Championship, UK Championship and Wembley Masters.
He presided over the renegotiation of contracts with the Crucible, the BBC and a new deal with Eurosport that has brought the game into the living rooms of a legion of new fans across Europe.
Walker’s administration also secured the long term future of two ranking events in China, both financially underwritten by the Chinese.
He proved to be a first rate front man, always poised in public, particularly in the moving speech he gave at Paul Hunter’s funeral.
However, 888.com and Saga both exercised early termination clauses in their sponsorship agreements and Walker was forced to dip deep into the reserves of money he had spent so long building up.
Prize money has fallen and there are only six ranking events currently on the schedule for this season.
Controversially, Walker took money in the form of commissions on contracts he had negotiated in his salaried role as WPBSA chairman, despite an earlier WPBSA report by renowned sports lawyer Mark Gay labelling such commissions unethical.
Steve Davis has said he is voting against Walker “for this reason alone.”
Hearn is a gregarious, energetic, what-you-see-is-what-you-get figure who first got involved in snooker in 1974 when he bought a chain of snooker clubs.
As manager of Davis, he was one of the leading figures of the 1980s boom. He is often credited as being behind it. This isn’t true, but he was one of the first to spot the sport’s off table potential and made fortunes as boss of the Matchroom stable through endorsements, exhibitions and, of course, prize money.
He deserves credit for trying to expand snooker’s global appeal, taking tournaments to China, Thailand, Dubai, Hong Kong and various other parts of the world.
He was treated with suspicion by the snooker establishment and gradually came to concentrate on boxing, pool, football, darts and even fishing.
Hearn’s great talent is in making something out of apparently very little: identifying niches and marketing them with vigour and enthusiasm.
I have no doubt that if he became chairman he and his team would at least inject a bit of fun back into the sport and certainly improve its standing in the media, which has ebbed away over the last five years.
But Hearn admits snooker’s fortunes cannot be turned around overnight. The sport’s reputation will have to be built back up and its image updated before a string of new high profile tournaments appear.
Hearn isn’t making a desperate bid for power. He’s happy to help if asked; happy to carry on with his other commitments if not asked.
The truth is, Barry Hearn doesn’t need snooker.
We’ll find out tomorrow whether snooker feels it needs Barry Hearn.
Tomorrow at 12pm in Sheffield, a city more used to on table battles, players will meet to decide whether to keep things as they are now and hope for a turnaround under the current regime or take a chance on a new way forward.
The last crucial vote was an EGM to remove the board shortly after the rejection of the Altium deal in 2002. The board survived 48-36.
Prior to this there was a period where there seemed to be a crunch vote every few months.
These were not always straightforward affairs. There was one AGM in a hotel in Birmingham held just before Christmas that descended into farce when the scrutineers, on their way to count the votes, found their path to the lift blocked by a conga of old aged pensioners.
Many of these votes were close with all manner of promises and misinformation having swirled around for weeks, as is the way of political campaigning.
Indeed, in the lead up to the current AGM a rumour went round that Barry Hearn, who has said he would be prepared to become chairman if Sir Rodney Walker is defeated, was planning to cut the professional circuit to just 32 players, something Hearn categorically denies.
There’s no evidence this was sanctioned by anyone high up in the governing body, although it could be an example of what Walker meant by ‘misleading, inaccurate and downright untruthful’ comments he alluded to last week.
Both sides have been crunching the numbers and there are indications the vote will be close.
It’s hard to see how it can’t be considering the constituency of voters is just 72: the top 64 from the past two seasons plus the five current WPBSA board members.
It’s not known whether Jimmy White sent in a proxy form before heading into the Australian bush. In such a small group of voters, it could ultimately make all the difference.
Walker, as incumbent, started favourite but there has been a groundswell against him in recent days.
Many players are simply fed up with the way things stand now and the ‘time for a change’ mantra is a difficult one to resist.
Then again, the only figure I will believe is the one that comes tomorrow. The BBC exit poll from the 1992 British general election forecast a hung parliament. In the end, John Major’s Conservatives won with a record vote.
But the exit poll wasn’t wrong – huge numbers of people had simply been unable to admit they were voting Conservative.
Walker is apparently behind right now, but that’s assuming everyone is telling the truth about their intentions. In a secret ballot, you never really know.
The great irony is that Walker was not under any obligation to stand for election this year. He was due to next year but said he brought it forward because he wanted to show the BBC and others that the sport had firm leadership and stability as key contracts were renegotiated.
This is commendable but his administration’s refusal to recognise the newly formed Snooker Players Association has brought us to this point. It was the SPA who persuaded Hearn to effectively throw his hat into the ring.
After becoming WPBSA chairman in 2004, Walker very quickly set about bringing stability to snooker, both financial and political.
Rows continued, as they do in all sports, but snooker’s fortunes appeared to be turning around.
Walker helped bring in replacement sponsors for the game’s three biggest events – the World Championship, UK Championship and Wembley Masters.
He presided over the renegotiation of contracts with the Crucible, the BBC and a new deal with Eurosport that has brought the game into the living rooms of a legion of new fans across Europe.
Walker’s administration also secured the long term future of two ranking events in China, both financially underwritten by the Chinese.
He proved to be a first rate front man, always poised in public, particularly in the moving speech he gave at Paul Hunter’s funeral.
However, 888.com and Saga both exercised early termination clauses in their sponsorship agreements and Walker was forced to dip deep into the reserves of money he had spent so long building up.
Prize money has fallen and there are only six ranking events currently on the schedule for this season.
Controversially, Walker took money in the form of commissions on contracts he had negotiated in his salaried role as WPBSA chairman, despite an earlier WPBSA report by renowned sports lawyer Mark Gay labelling such commissions unethical.
Steve Davis has said he is voting against Walker “for this reason alone.”
Hearn is a gregarious, energetic, what-you-see-is-what-you-get figure who first got involved in snooker in 1974 when he bought a chain of snooker clubs.
As manager of Davis, he was one of the leading figures of the 1980s boom. He is often credited as being behind it. This isn’t true, but he was one of the first to spot the sport’s off table potential and made fortunes as boss of the Matchroom stable through endorsements, exhibitions and, of course, prize money.
He deserves credit for trying to expand snooker’s global appeal, taking tournaments to China, Thailand, Dubai, Hong Kong and various other parts of the world.
He was treated with suspicion by the snooker establishment and gradually came to concentrate on boxing, pool, football, darts and even fishing.
Hearn’s great talent is in making something out of apparently very little: identifying niches and marketing them with vigour and enthusiasm.
I have no doubt that if he became chairman he and his team would at least inject a bit of fun back into the sport and certainly improve its standing in the media, which has ebbed away over the last five years.
But Hearn admits snooker’s fortunes cannot be turned around overnight. The sport’s reputation will have to be built back up and its image updated before a string of new high profile tournaments appear.
Hearn isn’t making a desperate bid for power. He’s happy to help if asked; happy to carry on with his other commitments if not asked.
The truth is, Barry Hearn doesn’t need snooker.
We’ll find out tomorrow whether snooker feels it needs Barry Hearn.
DRAGO'S MILESTONE
Congratulations to Tony Drago, a professional for 24 years, who has become the the 31st player in snooker history to compile a century of competitive centuries.
Drago achieved this milestone during his match with Mark Davis in the third qualifying round of the Pukka Pies UK Championship last Saturday.
Few players have as pure a love for the game as the Maltese, who returned to the pro circuit this season after one year as an amateur.
Drago achieved this milestone during his match with Mark Davis in the third qualifying round of the Pukka Pies UK Championship last Saturday.
Few players have as pure a love for the game as the Maltese, who returned to the pro circuit this season after one year as an amateur.
30.11.09
LINES ENDS SEVEN-YEAR ITCH
Well done to Peter Lines, who has qualified for the final stages of a ranking tournament for the first time in seven years following his 9-6 defeat of Nigel Bond in the Pukka Pies UK Championship.
His last appearance at a main tour final venue was at Telford for the 2002 British Open and he is heading back to the town's International Centre to face Marco Fu in a week's time.
Peter was recognised as a terrific talent when he turned professional in 1991.
This was when the game was open and there were over 600 professionals, so it was tough to make progress but Lines enjoyed early wins over the likes of Martin Clark, Mike Hallett and Willie Thorne.
On his only Crucible appearance in 1998, he lost to John Parrott but made a 141 total clearance.
Lines beat John Higgins in the 1999 China Open in Shanghai and reached his only ranking event quarter-final, where he was beaten 5-4 by Brian Morgan.
His highest ranking was 42nd in the 1999/00 season.
Lines declined in recent seasons but showed excellent form in the UK qualifiers, making two centuries in his first match and three in the last four frames of his second.
In recent times he received coaching and advice from Steve Prest, who sadly died earlier this year.
And Peter's son, Oliver, has also shown evidence of his potential during junior tournaments.
It's good to see a player regarded as a journeyman clawing his way out of the qualifiers to be part of a tournament, although he will likely have to raise another gear to go any further in the event.
His last appearance at a main tour final venue was at Telford for the 2002 British Open and he is heading back to the town's International Centre to face Marco Fu in a week's time.
Peter was recognised as a terrific talent when he turned professional in 1991.
This was when the game was open and there were over 600 professionals, so it was tough to make progress but Lines enjoyed early wins over the likes of Martin Clark, Mike Hallett and Willie Thorne.
On his only Crucible appearance in 1998, he lost to John Parrott but made a 141 total clearance.
Lines beat John Higgins in the 1999 China Open in Shanghai and reached his only ranking event quarter-final, where he was beaten 5-4 by Brian Morgan.
His highest ranking was 42nd in the 1999/00 season.
Lines declined in recent seasons but showed excellent form in the UK qualifiers, making two centuries in his first match and three in the last four frames of his second.
In recent times he received coaching and advice from Steve Prest, who sadly died earlier this year.
And Peter's son, Oliver, has also shown evidence of his potential during junior tournaments.
It's good to see a player regarded as a journeyman clawing his way out of the qualifiers to be part of a tournament, although he will likely have to raise another gear to go any further in the event.
EUROSPORT TO SHOW QUALIFYING HIGHLIGHTS
Eurosport will screen a two hour highlights programme from the qualifying competition for the Pukka Pies UK Championship on Thursday, from 12.45-2.45pm UK time.
This is the first time action from the qualifiers will have been shown on television.
Live coverage from Prestatyn continues today on 110sport.tv.
This is the first time action from the qualifiers will have been shown on television.
Live coverage from Prestatyn continues today on 110sport.tv.
29.11.09
SELBY: TIME FOR A CHANGE
Mark Selby has spoken out in support of Barry Hearn ahead of Wednesday's crunch WPBSA AGM.
Hearn has said he would accept the chairmanship of the governing body if Sir Rodney Walker is voted out by the players.
Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins are among the top stars supporting a vote against Walker while Steve Davis last week went on national radio to campaign for change.
Writing on his blog, Selby said: "The game certainly cannot get any worse than it is at the moment. If someone like Barry Hearn was to come in, that could be what turns around our sport.
"Hearn would not be seen as a risk as he has proven before what he is capable of. You only have to look at the darts to see what a difference he can make."
Selby, the world no.7, decribed the current set up of the professional circuit as a 'farce.'
He said: "Snooker is still a massive sport and the viewing figures for tournaments are always high. I know we’ve been hit by the credit crunch, but what I don’t understand is why snooker is in such a bad state.
"You look at a sport like darts and that is still surviving during these hard times, so why isn’t snooker? Why are we losing tournaments? Why are we down to just six this season?
"Maybe the people behind the scenes are just not working out, so maybe it is time for a change of key personnel, a breath of fresh air.
"The fact that we’ve got only six ranking tournaments this season is a farce. There is too much of a gap between each event – it’s been six weeks since the last tournament!
"We are classed as professionals but, really, we are hardly more than part-time. The gap is so big we could get another job in between tournaments.
"The money is still decent if you are a top-16 pro, you can expect to earn a healthy amount during the course of the season, even if you don’t perform particularly well.
"The ones I feel most sorry for are the players outside the top 64. They are classed as pros but they don’t get enough money to be able to survive. But for me it’s not about the money. All I want to do is play snooker, but it makes it hard to do that when there are only six tournaments."
Selby is hopeful that World Snooker's new tie-up with IMG will yield more tournaments, saying it "would undoubtedly be good for snooker and for the players."
You can read his blog entry in full here.
Hearn has said he would accept the chairmanship of the governing body if Sir Rodney Walker is voted out by the players.
Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins are among the top stars supporting a vote against Walker while Steve Davis last week went on national radio to campaign for change.
Writing on his blog, Selby said: "The game certainly cannot get any worse than it is at the moment. If someone like Barry Hearn was to come in, that could be what turns around our sport.
"Hearn would not be seen as a risk as he has proven before what he is capable of. You only have to look at the darts to see what a difference he can make."
Selby, the world no.7, decribed the current set up of the professional circuit as a 'farce.'
He said: "Snooker is still a massive sport and the viewing figures for tournaments are always high. I know we’ve been hit by the credit crunch, but what I don’t understand is why snooker is in such a bad state.
"You look at a sport like darts and that is still surviving during these hard times, so why isn’t snooker? Why are we losing tournaments? Why are we down to just six this season?
"Maybe the people behind the scenes are just not working out, so maybe it is time for a change of key personnel, a breath of fresh air.
"The fact that we’ve got only six ranking tournaments this season is a farce. There is too much of a gap between each event – it’s been six weeks since the last tournament!
"We are classed as professionals but, really, we are hardly more than part-time. The gap is so big we could get another job in between tournaments.
"The money is still decent if you are a top-16 pro, you can expect to earn a healthy amount during the course of the season, even if you don’t perform particularly well.
"The ones I feel most sorry for are the players outside the top 64. They are classed as pros but they don’t get enough money to be able to survive. But for me it’s not about the money. All I want to do is play snooker, but it makes it hard to do that when there are only six tournaments."
Selby is hopeful that World Snooker's new tie-up with IMG will yield more tournaments, saying it "would undoubtedly be good for snooker and for the players."
You can read his blog entry in full here.
28.11.09
BARRY HEARN INTERVIEW
The Snooker Forum has conducted an interview with Barry Hearn to investigate what he would do if he became WPBSA chairman.
Wisely, Hearn does not make a string of pie-in-the-sky promises. He admits that he cannot have a business plan in place until he inspects the current state of the governing body from the inside.
But he states that he wants the World Championship to remain on the BBC and will 'absolutely not' be cutting the number of players on the tour.
Hearn adds that he wants to institute a Pro Tour of 25 small events building up to a Players Championship, as on his PDC darts tour, to provide more playing opportunities for professionals.
And he says his number one priority is to inject some fun back into the sport and foreground the players more.
You can listen to the interview here.
Wisely, Hearn does not make a string of pie-in-the-sky promises. He admits that he cannot have a business plan in place until he inspects the current state of the governing body from the inside.
But he states that he wants the World Championship to remain on the BBC and will 'absolutely not' be cutting the number of players on the tour.
Hearn adds that he wants to institute a Pro Tour of 25 small events building up to a Players Championship, as on his PDC darts tour, to provide more playing opportunities for professionals.
And he says his number one priority is to inject some fun back into the sport and foreground the players more.
You can listen to the interview here.
27.11.09
QUALIFIERS RETURN TO 110SPORT.TV
The last three days of the Pukka Pies UK Championship qualifiers will be screened free to registered users on 110sport.tv.
For more details, visit their website.
For more details, visit their website.
DAVIS: 'I'LL BE VOTING NO IN CONFIDENCE VOTE'
Steve Davis appeared on BBC radio this morning to express his support for a vote of no confidence in World Snooker chairman Sir Rodney Walker.
Davis said proposals to expand the tour should be explored - but with Barry Hearn as chairman instead.
Rather than selectively quoting Davis, I run his quotes from this morning's interview verbatim below:
"This announcement is off the back of the fact that in six days there’s an AGM and a lot of the players are very frustrated that there are only six ranking events for them to play in during the year – only six – and all of a sudden the board are looking for a way to get votes because there’s a very real possibility there will be a no confidence vote.
"Interestingly, Barry Hearn has said that if enough players vote for no confidence in the board he will be happy, should the players want him to, to try and resurrect snooker like he’s effectively done to darts.
"So we’re in a situation with only a week to go where there’s a bit of political manoeuvring going on. However, it’s not the board’s idea, this tour, it’s an outside operation who have decided that perhaps it could work so it is worth exploring.
"So the bottom line for the players is who you want to do the negotiating for you: do you want the board who have got us down to six ranking events for the season or do you want Barry Hearn to negotiate on your behalf as somebody who has turned darts into a multi-million pound sport?
"There has been disquiet, it must be said, about the current set up of the board. Nothing personal, just whether they are competent enough.
"The actual (tour) idea is not of the board’s making so there is the possibility that there could be something on the horizon but the trouble is if the board are trying to make it sound like it’s their idea then they’re wrong.
"But it needs to be explored because if there was the possibility that there could be 15 or 20 events around the world of different standing then the players would obviously jump at it. Effectively it’s a case of in the end, if there was a proposal on the table, do you want the board who have not exactly been fantastically viewed by the players in the last few years or is there another avenue?
"Of course this also comes off the back of the financial report that’s just come out and it appears, going from what Clive Everton’s told us recently through his Snooker Scene magazine, that they’ve done a bit of a banking industry, that while the money for the players has gone down that the board have been paid more.
"For that reason alone when we come to the AGM next week I’ll be voting no.
"Morale amongst the players has been so low recently, so desperate, even players ranked in the 20s and 30s really thinking about getting jobs because they’re not getting any prize money out of only six events a year. They’ve really lost confidence and that’s what the AGM will really be about.
"The problem is, something comes on the table that sounds great, the players are in such a weak situation that they may jump at any chance, and it is a credible sort of idea that may come alive but you need somebody who actually has some nous in the business world to try and negotiate on your behalf and I’m not absolutely sure whether we’ve got the right people in.
"We’ve been down this road before, getting rid of boards, getting in another board, hoping that the next board comes along but snooker, morale wise among the players, has never been worse."
Davis said proposals to expand the tour should be explored - but with Barry Hearn as chairman instead.
Rather than selectively quoting Davis, I run his quotes from this morning's interview verbatim below:
"This announcement is off the back of the fact that in six days there’s an AGM and a lot of the players are very frustrated that there are only six ranking events for them to play in during the year – only six – and all of a sudden the board are looking for a way to get votes because there’s a very real possibility there will be a no confidence vote.
"Interestingly, Barry Hearn has said that if enough players vote for no confidence in the board he will be happy, should the players want him to, to try and resurrect snooker like he’s effectively done to darts.
"So we’re in a situation with only a week to go where there’s a bit of political manoeuvring going on. However, it’s not the board’s idea, this tour, it’s an outside operation who have decided that perhaps it could work so it is worth exploring.
"So the bottom line for the players is who you want to do the negotiating for you: do you want the board who have got us down to six ranking events for the season or do you want Barry Hearn to negotiate on your behalf as somebody who has turned darts into a multi-million pound sport?
"There has been disquiet, it must be said, about the current set up of the board. Nothing personal, just whether they are competent enough.
"The actual (tour) idea is not of the board’s making so there is the possibility that there could be something on the horizon but the trouble is if the board are trying to make it sound like it’s their idea then they’re wrong.
"But it needs to be explored because if there was the possibility that there could be 15 or 20 events around the world of different standing then the players would obviously jump at it. Effectively it’s a case of in the end, if there was a proposal on the table, do you want the board who have not exactly been fantastically viewed by the players in the last few years or is there another avenue?
"Of course this also comes off the back of the financial report that’s just come out and it appears, going from what Clive Everton’s told us recently through his Snooker Scene magazine, that they’ve done a bit of a banking industry, that while the money for the players has gone down that the board have been paid more.
"For that reason alone when we come to the AGM next week I’ll be voting no.
"Morale amongst the players has been so low recently, so desperate, even players ranked in the 20s and 30s really thinking about getting jobs because they’re not getting any prize money out of only six events a year. They’ve really lost confidence and that’s what the AGM will really be about.
"The problem is, something comes on the table that sounds great, the players are in such a weak situation that they may jump at any chance, and it is a credible sort of idea that may come alive but you need somebody who actually has some nous in the business world to try and negotiate on your behalf and I’m not absolutely sure whether we’ve got the right people in.
"We’ve been down this road before, getting rid of boards, getting in another board, hoping that the next board comes along but snooker, morale wise among the players, has never been worse."
26.11.09
CRUCIAL VOTE LATEST
Votes are about to be counted in a crucial contest that everyone agrees is likely to be very close.
And it could spell major disappointment for one of the snooker world's most senior figures.
Yes, Jimmy White is up for eviction from I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here.
Jimmy has hardly featured in the edit of the show so far, which is a shame because it means the public at home haven't had much chance to get to know him.
He's up against Sam Fox and Sabrina Washington, neither of whom he has met in professional competition before.
And it could spell major disappointment for one of the snooker world's most senior figures.
Yes, Jimmy White is up for eviction from I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here.
Jimmy has hardly featured in the edit of the show so far, which is a shame because it means the public at home haven't had much chance to get to know him.
He's up against Sam Fox and Sabrina Washington, neither of whom he has met in professional competition before.
SIR RODNEY WALKER INTERVIEW
The Independent has an interview with Sir Rodney Walker in which he talks about the new tour plans.
You can read it here.
You can read it here.
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