The Maplin UK Championship is one of snooker’s oldest and most prestigious tournaments.
It began in 1977 as an event for British and Irish players only and became a ranking tournament in 1984.
There have been many memorable moments over the years:
- Steve Davis winning in 1980, his first major title
- Alex Higgins’s comeback from 7-0 down to beat Davis 16-15 in 1983
- Doug Mountjoy’s remarkable victory at the age of 46 in 1988
- The Hendry-Davis final of 1990, the game’s two all time greats at the peak of their powers with Hendry winning 16-15
- Jimmy White’s 1992 triumph
- Ronnie O’Sullivan winning the 1993 title a week before his 18th birthday
- Hendry making seven centuries in the 1994 final – possibly the best anyone has ever played
- Marcus Campbell stunning Hendry 9-0 in the first round in 1998
- O’Sullivan’s 10-1 destruction of Ken Doherty in the 2001 final
- Jamie Burnett’s 148 in the 2004 qualifiers
- Davis reaching the final – his 100th as a pro – in 2005
Doubtless snooker fans will have many more memories. The tournament was particularly high profile when it was held at Preston Guild Hall from 1978 to 1997.
I used to enjoy the two day, best of 31 frame finals but these were discontinued in 1993.
The first round line up this year is one of the strongest I can remember.
It’s worth remembering that for all the issues affecting snooker off the table, on the table it is as fascinating as ever.
12.12.08
11.12.08
SORRY RONNIE
Here's Ronnie O'Sullivan, pictured shortly after learning I am tipping him to win the Maplin UK Championship.
10.12.08
CAN SHAUN HIT THE TARGET IN TELFORD?
Shaun Murphy has not won a match this season and therefore goes into the Maplin UK Championship off the back of four successive first round defeats.This is surprising because last season he only lost once in an opening round and was invariably involved in the business end of most tournaments.
His consistency led me to put him in my Eurosport fantasy team.
Once again, I have managed to curse one of snooker’s biggest names.
I expect Shaun to pull himself out of this slump sooner rather than later. He has had personal issues to deal with of late but has always been a relentlessly positive person and was in good spirits at AFC Telford last weekend where he took part in a penalty shootout during a promotional day for the UK event (hence the photo).
He plays Martin Gould in the first round. Martin works as a croupier in a London casino and were he to hit the jackpot against Murphy it would arguably be the biggest shock of the year.
All players have these spells in the doldrums. During the 2005/06 season, Ronnie O’Sullivan failed to win a match in a ranking event from October until April’s World Championship.
Mark Williams and Graeme Dott are good examples of players who have endured lean periods in recent times.
The key to ending them is confidence. However, confidence only comes from winning so it’s a vicious circle.
One good performance against Gould and Murphy’s season could receive a whole new lease of life.
On the other side of the coin, defeat would spell a major crisis point in his career.
His 2005 world title triumph was a surprise but it would be even more of a shock were he to slide down the rankings having seemed the most likely player in recent times to challenge O’Sullivan as the game’s dominant force.
NO NINTH RANKING EVENT THIS SEASON
World Snooker has written to the players informing them that the Malta Cup will not be on as a ranking event this season.
“We remain in discussions about a possible invitation event at the end of January 2009 and as soon as there is any more information on this we will inform you,” the letter says.
Whether the invitation event is on or not – and let’s hope it is because the more tournaments the better – very few people have tried harder for snooker over the years than Richard Balani and Joe Zammit, the Maltese promoters, who this week are staging 9-ball pool’s Mosconi Cup in conjunction with Matchroom.
“We remain in discussions about a possible invitation event at the end of January 2009 and as soon as there is any more information on this we will inform you,” the letter says.
Whether the invitation event is on or not – and let’s hope it is because the more tournaments the better – very few people have tried harder for snooker over the years than Richard Balani and Joe Zammit, the Maltese promoters, who this week are staging 9-ball pool’s Mosconi Cup in conjunction with Matchroom.
9.12.08
RONNIE INTERVIEW: AN AFTERTHOUGHT
I found Ronnie O’Sullivan’s Inside Sport interview last night fascinating but was surprised to hear Dennis Taylor say he thought Ronnie could equal Stephen Hendry’s record of seven world titles.
In 16 years as a professional, O’Sullivan has won three world titles. Make no mistake, this is an impressive tally but it seems unlikely anyone will win the Crucible crown beyond the age of 40, which doesn’t leave Ronnie much time.
Furthermore, he actually said himself that it is unlikely because he doesn’t have the ‘drive’ to do so.
This is what people seem to ignore when debating who is the greatest or who would have done what had they been born at a different time.
It’s not all about talent. We all know how talented all the top players are. Ultimately, it comes down to temperament.
Ronnie said he does not have the temperament of Stephen Hendry and is therefore unlikely to be driven to try and win as much as he has.
This does not diminish his own achievements. The fact is, we are all made differently and motivated differently.
Ranking Ronnie in the all time list is a pointless exercise because the man is a complete one-off.
When those of us lucky enough to have seen him play remember him we shan’t do so by reeling off titles but by recalling great moments of inspirational play – his 147 in five minutes, 20 seconds an obvious example.
Hendry and Steve Davis stand out as the two all time greats because of their extraordinary periods of success.
O’Sullivan will be remembered for his genius and all that it entails.
In 16 years as a professional, O’Sullivan has won three world titles. Make no mistake, this is an impressive tally but it seems unlikely anyone will win the Crucible crown beyond the age of 40, which doesn’t leave Ronnie much time.
Furthermore, he actually said himself that it is unlikely because he doesn’t have the ‘drive’ to do so.
This is what people seem to ignore when debating who is the greatest or who would have done what had they been born at a different time.
It’s not all about talent. We all know how talented all the top players are. Ultimately, it comes down to temperament.
Ronnie said he does not have the temperament of Stephen Hendry and is therefore unlikely to be driven to try and win as much as he has.
This does not diminish his own achievements. The fact is, we are all made differently and motivated differently.
Ranking Ronnie in the all time list is a pointless exercise because the man is a complete one-off.
When those of us lucky enough to have seen him play remember him we shan’t do so by reeling off titles but by recalling great moments of inspirational play – his 147 in five minutes, 20 seconds an obvious example.
Hendry and Steve Davis stand out as the two all time greats because of their extraordinary periods of success.
O’Sullivan will be remembered for his genius and all that it entails.
MAKING PLANS FOR NIGEL
Among the results from the final qualifying round of the Maplin UK Championship that may have passed you by was this one: Mark Davis beat Nigel Bond 9-2.This was Bond’s fifth successive defeat in five ranking events this season.
There are only three left and he now faces a fight to keep his top 32 place.
Nobody goes on forever. Nigel is now 43 and so in the autumn of his career.
But I always find it slightly sad when big names start to slide down the rankings.
I well remember Dennis Taylor’s last ever match. It was in the World Championship qualifiers in 2000.
He fought back gamely from 8-4 down to 8-8 with Sean Lanigan before losing 10-8.
Dennis knew it was his swansong and was devastated. Memories of the glory days, of THAT black against Steve Davis, had long since receded.
All he cared about was that he had lost and would not be playing again.
Nigel reached a career high of fifth in the rankings and made the Crucible final in 1995, losing 18-9 to Stephen Hendry.
What a lot of people may not know is that his son, Daniel, was born with a rare heart defect.
When young, he needed a great deal of hospital treatment in what was obviously a very worrying time for Nigel and his wife, Caron.
He was born in 1997, at around the time Nigel was enjoying his best spell as a professional. His mind could quite clearly not focus entirely on snooker and his form was inevitably affected, although I know this pales into insignificance compared to the health of his family. Nigel’s most loyal supporter on the circuit for two decades has been his own father, Graham.
In 1996, he won one of the most dramatic of all finals in beating John Higgins 9-8 to win the British Open in Plymouth having got a snooker in the decider. He knocked in a terrific long black for victory.
Nigel has appeared in five ranking tournament finals in total, including the 1990 Grand Prix in only his second season on the circuit.
He won the invitation Scottish Masters in 1997 and invite tournaments in China and Malta.
And he clinched what was surely the most dramatic first round victory the Crucible has ever seen when he beat Stephen Hendry 10-9 on a re-spotted black in 2006.
Bond was seven ahead when he potted the last black of the decider. Hendry unscrewed his cue but they both watched as the cue ball found a pocket.
Nigel returned to eventually knock it in.
After dropping out of the top 32 in 2003 he returned two years later but it is becoming increasingly difficult to stave off decline.
I hope he finds some form again. You will not find a single person on the circuit with a bad word to say about him.
It would be nice if Bond could find a quantum of solace from an otherwise disappointing season.
8.12.08
SELBY GOES OFF THE RAILS
Please do not rush to St. Pancras station tomorrow to take on Mark Selby because his Masters promotional day has been moved to Brent Cross shopping centre instead.
World Snooker say this due to 'unforeseen circumstances.'
The mind boggles...
World Snooker say this due to 'unforeseen circumstances.'
The mind boggles...
RONNIE WINS IN CROWDED HOUSE
Ronnie O'Sullivan's 7-2 victory over Mark Selby in the Partypoker.com Premier League last night was his eighth capture of this title and his fifth in succession since it reverted to the 25 second per shot time limit.
It is hard to see anyone else winning under this format.
Selby had played superbly to beat Stephen Hendry 5-0 in the semi-finals with the aid of three centuries but, for whatever reason, failed to fire in the final.
O'Sullivan won £75,000 - the biggest top prize in snooker outside of the 'big three' tournaments: the World Championship, UK Championship and Wembley Masters.
Potters Leisure Resort at Hopton-on-Sea proved to be a first class venue. Yesterday, 450 ticket applications had to be turned down because they were already sold out.
This came after a fortnight of heavy promotion in the local press - surely the way to ensure a large attendance.
A full house makes such a difference to the players. They respond to a good atmosphere.
O'Sullivan was, of course, a popular winner.
Who wants to back against him for next year?
It is hard to see anyone else winning under this format.
Selby had played superbly to beat Stephen Hendry 5-0 in the semi-finals with the aid of three centuries but, for whatever reason, failed to fire in the final.
O'Sullivan won £75,000 - the biggest top prize in snooker outside of the 'big three' tournaments: the World Championship, UK Championship and Wembley Masters.
Potters Leisure Resort at Hopton-on-Sea proved to be a first class venue. Yesterday, 450 ticket applications had to be turned down because they were already sold out.
This came after a fortnight of heavy promotion in the local press - surely the way to ensure a large attendance.
A full house makes such a difference to the players. They respond to a good atmosphere.
O'Sullivan was, of course, a popular winner.
Who wants to back against him for next year?
PRESSING ISSUES...UPDATE
You will recall that I recently bored on at great length about the arrangement the Press Association has come to with worldsnooker.com for news and information at the expense of the regular freelance journalists who have been providing this service for 44 years.
This arrangement or ‘enhanced relationship’ (as the PA described it) began last Friday, since when the PA has not written a single word on the Maplin UK Championship qualifiers.
Furthermore, it has not sent out a single result from the qualifiers to its hundreds of clients – newspapers, TV and radio – who all pay for the service.
Put simply, this means that not a solitary result has appeared in any newspaper anywhere in the world for the last three days unless those papers have themselves tracked them down.
This period includes John Parrott’s withdrawal, Jimmy White’s narrow defeat, Ricky Walden’s ’16-red’ total clearance and victories for Mark Williams and Ken Doherty – all good stories.
A small number of papers have carried reports here and there from freelancers but the PA has ignored the qualifiers of a ranking event for the first time ever.
Why carry results on the first two qualifying rounds but not the last two?
It goes against the PA’s promise that they would not be reducing their coverage.
When the ‘enhanced relationship’ with World Snooker was arranged the governing body did not seek any assurances as to the scope or nature of the coverage or even if there would be any at all.
What do Maplin make of this, bearing in mind they have been denied coverage in the national and regional press?
Before this ‘enhanced relationship’ started the game was struggling for coverage as it was. Now, there is even less.
Well done everybody.
This arrangement or ‘enhanced relationship’ (as the PA described it) began last Friday, since when the PA has not written a single word on the Maplin UK Championship qualifiers.
Furthermore, it has not sent out a single result from the qualifiers to its hundreds of clients – newspapers, TV and radio – who all pay for the service.
Put simply, this means that not a solitary result has appeared in any newspaper anywhere in the world for the last three days unless those papers have themselves tracked them down.
This period includes John Parrott’s withdrawal, Jimmy White’s narrow defeat, Ricky Walden’s ’16-red’ total clearance and victories for Mark Williams and Ken Doherty – all good stories.
A small number of papers have carried reports here and there from freelancers but the PA has ignored the qualifiers of a ranking event for the first time ever.
Why carry results on the first two qualifying rounds but not the last two?
It goes against the PA’s promise that they would not be reducing their coverage.
When the ‘enhanced relationship’ with World Snooker was arranged the governing body did not seek any assurances as to the scope or nature of the coverage or even if there would be any at all.
What do Maplin make of this, bearing in mind they have been denied coverage in the national and regional press?
Before this ‘enhanced relationship’ started the game was struggling for coverage as it was. Now, there is even less.
Well done everybody.
AWARD FOR RAY REARDON
Ray Reardon, six times the world champion in the 1970s, has been given a lifetime achievement award at the BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year ceremony.
Reardon was one of the first stars of the TV snooker age. A former policeman, he was a superb tactician who dominated his era in the face of opponents such as John Spencer, Alex Higgins and Eddie Charlton.
In addition to his world titles, Reardon won the Masters in 1976 and was the first player ever to be ranked no.1.
In 1988, though well past his best, he stunned Steve Davis 5-0 in the first round of the British Open.
Reardon, now 76, retired from the pro circuit in 1991 but mentored Ronnie O'Sullivan during the 2004 World Championship, O'Sullivan's second Crucible triumph.
The main award was won by rugby ace Shane Williams.
Reardon was one of the first stars of the TV snooker age. A former policeman, he was a superb tactician who dominated his era in the face of opponents such as John Spencer, Alex Higgins and Eddie Charlton.
In addition to his world titles, Reardon won the Masters in 1976 and was the first player ever to be ranked no.1.
In 1988, though well past his best, he stunned Steve Davis 5-0 in the first round of the British Open.
Reardon, now 76, retired from the pro circuit in 1991 but mentored Ronnie O'Sullivan during the 2004 World Championship, O'Sullivan's second Crucible triumph.
The main award was won by rugby ace Shane Williams.
7.12.08
WHAT RONNIE TOLD GABBY...
Ronnie O'Sullivan is interviewed by Gabby Logan on Inside Sport to be shown on BBC1 tomorrow at 11.05pm.
As they say on the news when giving out football scores, if you don't want to know the results then look away now...
ON HIS BREAK UP WITH GIRLFRIEND JO:
"Jo and I are trying to work back together. That’s my aim. It would be fantastic if we could live together and bring up our family together. I’m probably a difficult person to be with, yeah.
“It’s difficult for a wife to be married to a sportsman who’s trying to stay at the top of their game. You can’t just wake up when you like. You can’t just eat four cream cakes, you’ve got to be professional, you’ve got to be ruthless.
"And sometimes your partner doesn’t get to see you as much. I went to The Priory and learnt about addictions. I had a problem but I don’t drink and don’t take drugs anymore. I had my struggles and I got help. I’ve gone to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and I got support."
ON RELIGION:
"I’m not a religious person. I looked into Buddhism because I wanted some sort of happiness.
“I joined a Buddhist Centre in Bethnal Green. I used to have my lunch and listen to the geezer do his thing and it was great.
“I did it for six weeks but what ruined it for me was someone kidnapped me, hijacked me and kept saying ‘Come and do it with me’ and that’s what put me off.
“I was just coming to chill out and then I’ve got them in my face trying to be a control freak , ‘come, meet my wife’ and it put me off going there.”
ON WALKING OUT AGAINST HENDRY:
"I was 3-0 up against Davis in the semi-finals of the Premier League, missed a ball and went to shake his hand.
“As I walked towards him I thought: ‘What am I doing? You can’t do that’ and I walked back to my chair.
"The next day I’m leading Jimmy 4-0 in the final, missed a ball and went to do the same thing. And it got to the point against Stephen when I’m sitting there thinking: ‘I don’t want to be here.’
“And I just missed the ball, shook his hand and went: ‘Right, I’m off.’ I got out and felt relieved I’d done it.
“It’s been horrible to have to get a perspective on something I used to have so much passion for.
"I still feel like it sometimes, but I can’t do it again, because snooker bosses will slap me with a heavy fine. So if I feel like that again, I will have to pull out of tournaments.
“Snooker is a very hard game when you’re sitting in your chair with your mind."
ON HIS FATHER'S UPCOMING RELEASE:
"I must admit I am nervous thinking about it. How is it going to be? Because my last memory of dad was when he was out on bail, driving me to a snooker tournament when I was 15.
“I didn’t know whether he was going to go away or not, so it’s as if 18 years have gone. I have no memories other than a telephone conversation and a visit every two months, so you can’t make up for that.
“It’s going to be a different relationship now. I’m 33, I’ve got two kids and I’ve had my career but he’s done a good job with me, getting me to think in a certain way.
"He’s the most positive guy. That’s why I go for shots people think may be risky, but I believe they’re winners.
“It goes in, game over and I’ve always had that mentality.
“He loves snooker. And every time he sees me play on TV he’ll say it’s like a visit from me. He’s been such a proud man.
“He doesn’t want anything from me other than just, I’m his son.”
ON WHY HE'S NOT ANOTHER HENDRY:
"I haven’t got the drive to win seven or eight world titles. I haven’t got the passion it takes to be a (Michael Schumacher), a Hendry, a Phil Taylor.
"You look at the hard facts of what I’ve won and I have definitely under-achieved.
“But I’m not going to be a slave to snooker. I don’t think I’ll be playing in five years, let alone winning another five world titles.
“I’ll leave a little legacy. I’ve done it my way, a waste of talent it might have been, but I’ve come out of it and I’m intact.
"I don’t want to be miserable when I’m 45 and think: ‘Well, what was that all about?’ It’s now that is important.”
Inside Sport is on BBC1 on Monday night at 11:05pm.
As they say on the news when giving out football scores, if you don't want to know the results then look away now...
ON HIS BREAK UP WITH GIRLFRIEND JO:
"Jo and I are trying to work back together. That’s my aim. It would be fantastic if we could live together and bring up our family together. I’m probably a difficult person to be with, yeah.
“It’s difficult for a wife to be married to a sportsman who’s trying to stay at the top of their game. You can’t just wake up when you like. You can’t just eat four cream cakes, you’ve got to be professional, you’ve got to be ruthless.
"And sometimes your partner doesn’t get to see you as much. I went to The Priory and learnt about addictions. I had a problem but I don’t drink and don’t take drugs anymore. I had my struggles and I got help. I’ve gone to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and I got support."
ON RELIGION:
"I’m not a religious person. I looked into Buddhism because I wanted some sort of happiness.
“I joined a Buddhist Centre in Bethnal Green. I used to have my lunch and listen to the geezer do his thing and it was great.
“I did it for six weeks but what ruined it for me was someone kidnapped me, hijacked me and kept saying ‘Come and do it with me’ and that’s what put me off.
“I was just coming to chill out and then I’ve got them in my face trying to be a control freak , ‘come, meet my wife’ and it put me off going there.”
ON WALKING OUT AGAINST HENDRY:
"I was 3-0 up against Davis in the semi-finals of the Premier League, missed a ball and went to shake his hand.
“As I walked towards him I thought: ‘What am I doing? You can’t do that’ and I walked back to my chair.
"The next day I’m leading Jimmy 4-0 in the final, missed a ball and went to do the same thing. And it got to the point against Stephen when I’m sitting there thinking: ‘I don’t want to be here.’
“And I just missed the ball, shook his hand and went: ‘Right, I’m off.’ I got out and felt relieved I’d done it.
“It’s been horrible to have to get a perspective on something I used to have so much passion for.
"I still feel like it sometimes, but I can’t do it again, because snooker bosses will slap me with a heavy fine. So if I feel like that again, I will have to pull out of tournaments.
“Snooker is a very hard game when you’re sitting in your chair with your mind."
ON HIS FATHER'S UPCOMING RELEASE:
"I must admit I am nervous thinking about it. How is it going to be? Because my last memory of dad was when he was out on bail, driving me to a snooker tournament when I was 15.
“I didn’t know whether he was going to go away or not, so it’s as if 18 years have gone. I have no memories other than a telephone conversation and a visit every two months, so you can’t make up for that.
“It’s going to be a different relationship now. I’m 33, I’ve got two kids and I’ve had my career but he’s done a good job with me, getting me to think in a certain way.
"He’s the most positive guy. That’s why I go for shots people think may be risky, but I believe they’re winners.
“It goes in, game over and I’ve always had that mentality.
“He loves snooker. And every time he sees me play on TV he’ll say it’s like a visit from me. He’s been such a proud man.
“He doesn’t want anything from me other than just, I’m his son.”
ON WHY HE'S NOT ANOTHER HENDRY:
"I haven’t got the drive to win seven or eight world titles. I haven’t got the passion it takes to be a (Michael Schumacher), a Hendry, a Phil Taylor.
"You look at the hard facts of what I’ve won and I have definitely under-achieved.
“But I’m not going to be a slave to snooker. I don’t think I’ll be playing in five years, let alone winning another five world titles.
“I’ll leave a little legacy. I’ve done it my way, a waste of talent it might have been, but I’ve come out of it and I’m intact.
"I don’t want to be miserable when I’m 45 and think: ‘Well, what was that all about?’ It’s now that is important.”
Inside Sport is on BBC1 on Monday night at 11:05pm.
6.12.08
WALDEN'S '16-RED' BREAK
Ricky Walden, the reigning Shanghai Masters champion, has made a 141 total clearance using '16 reds' at the Maplin UK Championship qualifiers.
He got a free ball at the start of the frame from Mark Davis's foul. Of course the free ball counts as an extra red.
Four years ago, Jamie Burnett made a 148 - the highest break in the history of professional snooker - in this way.
I recall Steve James made a '16-red' clearance at the Crucible against Alex Higgins in 1990. It's happened a number of times but is still relatively rare.
He got a free ball at the start of the frame from Mark Davis's foul. Of course the free ball counts as an extra red.
Four years ago, Jamie Burnett made a 148 - the highest break in the history of professional snooker - in this way.
I recall Steve James made a '16-red' clearance at the Crucible against Alex Higgins in 1990. It's happened a number of times but is still relatively rare.
PARROTT QUITS UK CHAMPIONSHIP
John Parrott, the 1991 UK champion, has withdrawn from the qualifiers of this year's event trailing Andy Hicks 7-1.
Parrott informed tournament organisers that he was unwell.
Parrott informed tournament organisers that he was unwell.
5.12.08
THE SELBY EXPRESS
Mark Selby is one of the last snooker players you could imagine going off the rails and his career shows no signs of hitting the buffers.
All of which is a rather tortuous way of informing anyone interested that Selby will be at St. Pancras station in London next Tuesday to launch the Wembley Masters.
There will be a table on the concourse and he will be taking on all comers between 8am and 2pm.
Of course in years gone by the obvious choice for this would have been John Pulman...
All of which is a rather tortuous way of informing anyone interested that Selby will be at St. Pancras station in London next Tuesday to launch the Wembley Masters.
There will be a table on the concourse and he will be taking on all comers between 8am and 2pm.
Of course in years gone by the obvious choice for this would have been John Pulman...
HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO
The year was 1986. Steve Davis had lost the world final to Joe Johnson but was still the undisputed king of snooker.One day he was having a meal in a Chinese restaurant. Another man came in with his 10 year-old son.
The father was full of enthusiasm about his boy’s talent on the green baize. A waiter informed him there was another snooker player in the restaurant by the name of ‘Dave Stevens.’
Realising the mistake, father and son headed over for an autograph and photo with the man who bestrode the snooker world.
The man assured Davis that his boy would one day be world champion. Steve had probably heard this 1,000 times before from other fathers and could be forgiven for taking it all with a large dollop of salt.
Fast forward 22 years and Ronnie O’Sullivan, who turns 33 today, is now a three times world champion and world no.1. His father has been incarcerated for all these triumphs but remains his son’s no. l supporter.
The picture above is the one they took that night.
Davis has not beaten the Rocket in ten years. O’Sullivan leads 18-6 in career meetings but I suspect he does not take much pleasure in beating him these days.
Davis was his boyhood hero. He recalled that when he watched the end of the 1985 world final in his local club, “all the others wanted Dennis Taylor to win. They were sat there saying ‘miss it ginger’ when Steve was on the black. I was the only one supporting him.”
It’s telling that Ronnie would cheer for Davis, a player so dominant than millions couldn’t wait for him to lose.
(How times change. He is now one of the most popular players on the circuit.)
O’Sullivan identified with him because he was a winner and young Ronnie wanted to be a winner as well.
Over time, Davis’s achievements would be eclipsed by Stephen Hendry, another player who has O’Sullivan’s total respect (notwithstanding an ill judged stream of invective about him at the 2002 World Championship for which Ronnie has subsequently apologised).
Kids need heroes. O’Sullivan’s were his own father and Davis.
And next time they cross cues a small part of Ronnie will still be that young boy looking up to his idol and dreaming of one day being the snooker player everyone else is in awe of.
4.12.08
ALL WHITE ON THE NIGHT
Jimmy White loves snooker. He loves it now at the age of 46 every bit as much as he did when, as a kid, he used to bunk off school to play it in the afternoons when he should have been receiving an altogether different sort of education.
Snooker suffers from an overly nostalgic tendency to hark back to the ‘good old days’ but regardless of this it’s genuinely heartening to see Jimmy still in there fighting.
He came back from 8-6 down to beat David Grace in the first qualifying round of the Maplin UK Championship and last night edged Ian Preece 9-8 to reach the third.
If he makes it from the Sheffield qualifiers to the final stages at Telford he will play Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Jimmy’s career is usually talked about in terms of the six world finals he lost. These defeats came to define him as the game’s nearly man, although did nothing to reduce his status as ‘people’s champion.’
He certainly should have won in 1992 when he led Stephen Hendry 14-8 (although Hendry played some great stuff to come back) and had the title in his hands in 1994 only to miss a routine black in the decider, the pressure ultimately overcoming him.
Had Alex Higgins not conjured up his miraculous 69 break to stay in their 1982 semi-final Jimmy may well have been champion that year.
But let’s not forget this: he won ten ranking titles, including the 1992 UK Championship, and a clutch of invitation tournaments, not least the 1984 Wembley Masters.
He’s had a far better career than most and it’s still continuing, albeit in the relative obscurity of a chilly Sheffield.
There’s no webcam so Jimmy’s many fans who can’t attend the qualifiers are reduced to staring at live (or sometimes dead) scoring and cheering him on from afar.
There aren’t many players who would inspire such devotion.
Snooker suffers from an overly nostalgic tendency to hark back to the ‘good old days’ but regardless of this it’s genuinely heartening to see Jimmy still in there fighting.
He came back from 8-6 down to beat David Grace in the first qualifying round of the Maplin UK Championship and last night edged Ian Preece 9-8 to reach the third.
If he makes it from the Sheffield qualifiers to the final stages at Telford he will play Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Jimmy’s career is usually talked about in terms of the six world finals he lost. These defeats came to define him as the game’s nearly man, although did nothing to reduce his status as ‘people’s champion.’
He certainly should have won in 1992 when he led Stephen Hendry 14-8 (although Hendry played some great stuff to come back) and had the title in his hands in 1994 only to miss a routine black in the decider, the pressure ultimately overcoming him.
Had Alex Higgins not conjured up his miraculous 69 break to stay in their 1982 semi-final Jimmy may well have been champion that year.
But let’s not forget this: he won ten ranking titles, including the 1992 UK Championship, and a clutch of invitation tournaments, not least the 1984 Wembley Masters.
He’s had a far better career than most and it’s still continuing, albeit in the relative obscurity of a chilly Sheffield.
There’s no webcam so Jimmy’s many fans who can’t attend the qualifiers are reduced to staring at live (or sometimes dead) scoring and cheering him on from afar.
There aren’t many players who would inspire such devotion.
3.12.08
DECEMBER SNOOKER SCENE
The December issue of Snooker Scene, out now, includes a review of the Bahrain Championship, an interview with Neil Robertson, Clive Everton's analysis of payments made to Sir Rodney Walker, the World Series, the Premier League, amateur tournaments and news from the junior circuit, billiards, pool and much more.
Don't forget, you can subscribe through our website.
Don't forget, you can subscribe through our website.
2.12.08
RONNIE ALERT
Ronnie O'Sullivan will be featured on BBC1's Inside Sport programme next Monday night at 11.05pm in what presenter Gabby Logan describes as a 'revealing interview.'
THE BIG THREE
Snooker does not have grand slams like tennis or majors like golf but it does have three tournaments prized more highly than all the others.
They are the World Championship, UK Championship and Wembley Masters.
The qualifiers for the UK Championship are underway at Sheffield. The Masters is next month and, of course, the season will end with the annual 17-day Crucible event.
Only seven players have won the ‘big three.’
They are: Steve Davis, Terry Griffiths, Alex Higgins, Stephen Hendry, John Higgins, Mark Williams and Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Let’s have a look at the cumulative number of titles players have won from these three events:
Stephen Hendry: 18
Steve Davis: 15
Ronnie O’Sullivan: 10
Ray Reardon: 7
John Higgins, Mark Williams: 6
Alex Higgins: 5
John Spencer, Cliff Thorburn: 4
And here are the number of finals players have been in from these three tournaments:
Stephen Hendry: 27
Steve Davis: 21
Ronnie O’Sullivan: 14
Alex Higgins: 13
Ray Reardon, Jimmy White: 11
John Higgins: 10
Mark Williams: 9
Terry Griffiths: 8
Behind the stats, here are my observations...
It’s no surprise that Hendry is top and the fact that he is reconfirms his reputation as the game’s greatest ever player.
However, he has not won one of the big three since 1999 when he captured his seventh world title. His last UK Championship success was 12 years ago and it will be 13 years since his last Masters victory when he goes to Wembley next month.
Davis appeared in his first big three final at the 1980 UK Championship and his 21st at the same tournament a remarkable 25 years later.
O’Sullivan is likely to win more and could possibly beat Hendry’s tally.
Alex Higgins enjoyed a good record in the big three and but for his showboating manner could have won more of them.
John Higgins and Williams, like O’Sullivan, could win more although the Welshman will this season have to qualify for the UK Championship and, wildcard aside, won’t be at the Masters.
Only three players have won the big three in the same season.
Davis did so in the 1987/88 campaign, Hendry in 1989/90 and again in 1994/95 and Williams in 2002/03.
There is no prize for winning all three in a single season (perhaps there should be) but doing so is, for me, the ultimate sign of how dominant a player is because they are easily the three most important tournaments in the game.
They are the World Championship, UK Championship and Wembley Masters.
The qualifiers for the UK Championship are underway at Sheffield. The Masters is next month and, of course, the season will end with the annual 17-day Crucible event.
Only seven players have won the ‘big three.’
They are: Steve Davis, Terry Griffiths, Alex Higgins, Stephen Hendry, John Higgins, Mark Williams and Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Let’s have a look at the cumulative number of titles players have won from these three events:
Stephen Hendry: 18
Steve Davis: 15
Ronnie O’Sullivan: 10
Ray Reardon: 7
John Higgins, Mark Williams: 6
Alex Higgins: 5
John Spencer, Cliff Thorburn: 4
And here are the number of finals players have been in from these three tournaments:
Stephen Hendry: 27
Steve Davis: 21
Ronnie O’Sullivan: 14
Alex Higgins: 13
Ray Reardon, Jimmy White: 11
John Higgins: 10
Mark Williams: 9
Terry Griffiths: 8
Behind the stats, here are my observations...
It’s no surprise that Hendry is top and the fact that he is reconfirms his reputation as the game’s greatest ever player.
However, he has not won one of the big three since 1999 when he captured his seventh world title. His last UK Championship success was 12 years ago and it will be 13 years since his last Masters victory when he goes to Wembley next month.
Davis appeared in his first big three final at the 1980 UK Championship and his 21st at the same tournament a remarkable 25 years later.
O’Sullivan is likely to win more and could possibly beat Hendry’s tally.
Alex Higgins enjoyed a good record in the big three and but for his showboating manner could have won more of them.
John Higgins and Williams, like O’Sullivan, could win more although the Welshman will this season have to qualify for the UK Championship and, wildcard aside, won’t be at the Masters.
Only three players have won the big three in the same season.
Davis did so in the 1987/88 campaign, Hendry in 1989/90 and again in 1994/95 and Williams in 2002/03.
There is no prize for winning all three in a single season (perhaps there should be) but doing so is, for me, the ultimate sign of how dominant a player is because they are easily the three most important tournaments in the game.
1.12.08
WHY NOT EUROPE?
“World Snooker has done some good work in Asia in recent years but Europe is definitely a market that they could be exploiting more. I think the interest is equal, if not bigger, in Europe than it is in China.”
So said Mark Selby on his new blog on the Eurosport website.
Anyone who knows Mark will know that he’s not a trouble maker or nursing a hidden agenda. He’s simply saying what everyone who has witnessed the European snooker boom also believes.
Take a look at this clip. It is Ronnie O’Sullivan being introduced to the crowd in Hamm, Germany this weekend.
What an extraordinary reaction, one that I know would have touched Ronnie.
The fans at the Berlin leg of the World Series in July were just as enthusiastic. Stephen Maguire said it was the biggest crowd he had ever played in front of.
The crowds were also huge at the World Series events in Warsaw and Russia. Not only that but they were genuinely excited to see live snooker.
John Higgins recently did an exhibition in Copenhagen that was sold out. O’Sullivan and Neil Robertson did one in Prague last week that also attracted a huge audience.
By signing its broadcast deal with Eurosport, World Snooker has created a huge booming market.
So why aren’t they exploiting it?
Why aren’t there any major tournaments promoted by the governing body in mainland Europe?
The fans are clearly there. You could have three ranking events in Germany and tickets would sell out within hours.
Contrast that with the recent Bahrain Championship, where audiences were embarrassing and which cost World Snooker fortunes.
Credit goes to Higgins and his manager, Pat Mooney, for setting up the World Series which has taken top class snooker to a continent crying out for it.
Next week, Mooney will meet with Eurosport to discuss venues for 2009. In the running are Ireland (possibly Goffs, former home of the Irish Masters and one of the best arenas snooker has ever had), Portugal, Denmark, Switzerland, Russia, Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic.
“Pat and the team have been in discussions with all of the countries above, having received applications from each to host an event,” Higgins said.
“We would of course love to host many more, however it is down to ensuring there is no conflict with other events and promotions and also the available TV scheduling of Eursport.
“The success and momentum caused by the success of our first year has been staggering. When Pat first talked about the potential and popularity of the game in these locations I was a little sceptical to say the least, but now I am just buzzed about each and every new location.”
Mooney hopes the World Series will see the governing body following suit and investing in Europe.
“We see the ground work we have done paving the way for World Snooker to be able to react to the demands of the fans and come in and capitalise on the start we have made,” he said.
“Who knows that may even be a good model for the development of professional snooker and it reduces the risk of going into new territories blind and not knowing if the fans and the infrastructure is there.
“We always said we would ensure we compliment the main tour and share information with World Snooker and the lessons we have learned this year can only be a bonus, and are available to all.”
Snooker, contrary to what some people say, is not dead or dying.
Its popularity in the UK has declined and participation is affected by factors such as the smoking ban.
But on the continent of Europe there are millions – literally – of fans ready to support the game.
Apart from the obvious considerations of finances and sponsorship why are they not being given the chance to do so?
So said Mark Selby on his new blog on the Eurosport website.
Anyone who knows Mark will know that he’s not a trouble maker or nursing a hidden agenda. He’s simply saying what everyone who has witnessed the European snooker boom also believes.
Take a look at this clip. It is Ronnie O’Sullivan being introduced to the crowd in Hamm, Germany this weekend.
What an extraordinary reaction, one that I know would have touched Ronnie.
The fans at the Berlin leg of the World Series in July were just as enthusiastic. Stephen Maguire said it was the biggest crowd he had ever played in front of.
The crowds were also huge at the World Series events in Warsaw and Russia. Not only that but they were genuinely excited to see live snooker.
John Higgins recently did an exhibition in Copenhagen that was sold out. O’Sullivan and Neil Robertson did one in Prague last week that also attracted a huge audience.
By signing its broadcast deal with Eurosport, World Snooker has created a huge booming market.
So why aren’t they exploiting it?
Why aren’t there any major tournaments promoted by the governing body in mainland Europe?
The fans are clearly there. You could have three ranking events in Germany and tickets would sell out within hours.
Contrast that with the recent Bahrain Championship, where audiences were embarrassing and which cost World Snooker fortunes.
Credit goes to Higgins and his manager, Pat Mooney, for setting up the World Series which has taken top class snooker to a continent crying out for it.
Next week, Mooney will meet with Eurosport to discuss venues for 2009. In the running are Ireland (possibly Goffs, former home of the Irish Masters and one of the best arenas snooker has ever had), Portugal, Denmark, Switzerland, Russia, Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic.
“Pat and the team have been in discussions with all of the countries above, having received applications from each to host an event,” Higgins said.
“We would of course love to host many more, however it is down to ensuring there is no conflict with other events and promotions and also the available TV scheduling of Eursport.
“The success and momentum caused by the success of our first year has been staggering. When Pat first talked about the potential and popularity of the game in these locations I was a little sceptical to say the least, but now I am just buzzed about each and every new location.”
Mooney hopes the World Series will see the governing body following suit and investing in Europe.
“We see the ground work we have done paving the way for World Snooker to be able to react to the demands of the fans and come in and capitalise on the start we have made,” he said.
“Who knows that may even be a good model for the development of professional snooker and it reduces the risk of going into new territories blind and not knowing if the fans and the infrastructure is there.
“We always said we would ensure we compliment the main tour and share information with World Snooker and the lessons we have learned this year can only be a bonus, and are available to all.”
Snooker, contrary to what some people say, is not dead or dying.
Its popularity in the UK has declined and participation is affected by factors such as the smoking ban.
But on the continent of Europe there are millions – literally – of fans ready to support the game.
Apart from the obvious considerations of finances and sponsorship why are they not being given the chance to do so?
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