I shall, in the coming weeks on this blog, be looking back at the last ten years in snooker as the decade comes to an end.
It was a decade that began with snooker still in fine fettle. There was an undisputed ‘big four’ of John Higgins, Stephen Hendry, Mark Williams and Ronnie O’Sullivan and the circuit was awash with tournaments, both ranking and invitational, both in the UK and beyond.
But the warning signs were there too. The election of the Labour government in 1997 meant the end of tobacco sponsorship in 2003, with the World Championship exempt until 2005.
As it transpired, there were 77 ranking events staged during the decade compared with 90 in the 1990s.
Here’s who won the most:
Ronnie O’Sullivan – 15
Mark Williams – 9
John Higgins – 8
Peter Ebdon – 6
Stephen Hendry, Ken Doherty, Stephen Maguire, Neil Robertson – 4
Shaun Murphy, Ding Junhui, Stephen Lee – 3
And here’s who appeared in most ranking tournament finals:
Ronnie O’Sullivan – 22
Mark Williams, John Higgins – 14
Stephen Hendry – 12
Ken Doherty – 9
Peter Ebdon – 8
Shaun Murphy, Stephen Maguire – 6
Stephen Lee, Graeme Dott – 5
All of the above figures of course exclude next month’s UK Championship.
They provide a snapshot of who has performed best in the biggest events, although don’t include the premier invitation tournaments.
Of these, O’Sullivan and Paul Hunter each won the Masters three times, O’Sullivan and Higgins won two Scottish Masters titles apiece, Higgins captured two Irish Masters crowns and O’Sullivan was victorious in a remarkable seven stagings of the Premier League.
There were 35 maximums recorded in competitive play, nine more than in the 1990s. O’Sullivan was responsible for six of them and Higgins five.
In 2004, Jamie Burnett compiled the first break of more than 147 with his 148 in the UK Championship qualifiers.
In 2003, Mark Williams picked up the biggest ever first prize when he landed a cheque for £270,000 for winning the World Championship but overall prize money is lower than it was at the turn of the decade.
Only six players who were in the elite top 16 when the 2000s began are still there.
Higgins was first and is now fourth, Stephen Hendry was second and is now tenth, Williams was third and is now 15th and O’Sullivan was fourth and is now first.
Peter Ebdon was 13th and is now 14th; Mark King was 14th and is now 16th.
In the case of Williams and King, they each dropped out of the top 16 before returning.
O’Sullivan was world no.1 for a total of five years, Williams for three, Higgins for two and Hendry for one.
The biggest single viewing audience in the UK was the 7.8m who tuned in for the climax of Ebdon’s 2002 Crucible victory over Hendry but this is dwarfed by viewing figures recorded in China.
We lost many well known faces. Hunter succumbed to cancer at just 27 while stars of an earlier era – John Spencer, Eddie Charlton and Bill Werbeniuk – also died.
David Vine, a face synonymous with a generation of TV snooker fans, passed away as did other members of snooker’s supporting cast, including referees John Smyth and John Street, Imperial Tobacco supremo Peter Dyke and TV commentator Jack Karnehm.
Snooker became big in China following Ding Junhui’s extraordinary capture of the 2005 China Open title in Beijing.
In its traditional base in the UK there was a downturn in interest as snooker clubs – including many that had been home to young kids who went on to become big stars – closed down in large numbers.
Snooker’s media profile decreased in Britain but grew elsewhere, particularly in Europe following a landmark broadcast deal with Eurosport.
There was the usual political wrangling as the players rejected first a breakaway circuit and then a serious investment offer.
Snooker started to embrace the internet as a tool for growth and provided many memorable television moments.
New faces appeared, old faces disappeared, the snooker world continued to turn and, through it all, the game remains intact.
Over the next few weeks I will be examining the players, the matches and the controversies that have marked out the last ten years on the green baize.
12.11.09
WHITE BRACED FOR JUNGLE RAP
Jimmy White could face disciplinary action after withdrawing from the UK Championship to take part in ITV’s ‘I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here.’
White was due to play in the second qualifying round on November 25 but will instead be in the jungle.
I think it would be wrong to fine White. He may be damaging his own ranking position by pulling out but he isn’t harming the game as a whole.
However, I suspect he will hate the experience. Anyone who knows Jimmy knows he hates sitting around doing nothing, which is 90% what this programme is about.
The list of ‘celebrities’ for the show reads like a who’s that? of the entertainment industry.
White will be joined by former page 3 girl Sam Fox, interior designers Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan, former EastEnders actress Lucy Benjamin, Kim Woodburn, who appears on a TV show in which she cleans houses, a chef, a dancer and various other barely known faces.
Veteran actor George Hamilton is also in the line-up and glamour model Katie Price is rumoured to be joining the show later in its run.
It starts on Sunday.
White was due to play in the second qualifying round on November 25 but will instead be in the jungle.
I think it would be wrong to fine White. He may be damaging his own ranking position by pulling out but he isn’t harming the game as a whole.
However, I suspect he will hate the experience. Anyone who knows Jimmy knows he hates sitting around doing nothing, which is 90% what this programme is about.
The list of ‘celebrities’ for the show reads like a who’s that? of the entertainment industry.
White will be joined by former page 3 girl Sam Fox, interior designers Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan, former EastEnders actress Lucy Benjamin, Kim Woodburn, who appears on a TV show in which she cleans houses, a chef, a dancer and various other barely known faces.
Veteran actor George Hamilton is also in the line-up and glamour model Katie Price is rumoured to be joining the show later in its run.
It starts on Sunday.
11.11.09
UK CHAMPIONSHIP SPONSOR ANNOUNCED
The UK Championship, one of snooker's oldest and most prestigious tournaments, will be sponsored by Pukka Pies following a new deal announced today.
The news follows the appointment of the Essentially Group to sell sponsorship for WPBSA events.
The UK Championship has been sponsored by Maplin Electronics for the last three years but they decided not to renew following last season's tournament.
The news follows the appointment of the Essentially Group to sell sponsorship for WPBSA events.
The UK Championship has been sponsored by Maplin Electronics for the last three years but they decided not to renew following last season's tournament.
O'SULLIVAN TO PLAY IN CHAMPIONSHIP LEAGUE
Ronnie O'Sullivan will compete in this season's Championship League regardless of whether or not he wins the Premier League.
The world no.1 will enter the event in group 2 next January. It is played down the road from his Chigwell home at Crondon Park Golf Club in Essex and shown free on the internet through various betting websites.
The first group sees world champion John Higgins, last season's CLS winner Judd Trump, Stephen Maguire, Shaun Murphy, Mark Selby, Ryan Day and Ali Carter do battle.
O'Sullivan joins the fray in the following group alongside Neil Robertson and Marco Fu.
Stephen Hendry, Mark Allen, Ding Junhui, Liang Wenbo and Steve Davis are among the players entering in the later groups.
The players will compete for a £200,000 total prize fund with a place in the Premier League up for grabs for the ultimate winner.
Unlike the last two years, all matches will be best of five frames so this time around a draw is not possible.
The action starts on January 4.
The world no.1 will enter the event in group 2 next January. It is played down the road from his Chigwell home at Crondon Park Golf Club in Essex and shown free on the internet through various betting websites.
The first group sees world champion John Higgins, last season's CLS winner Judd Trump, Stephen Maguire, Shaun Murphy, Mark Selby, Ryan Day and Ali Carter do battle.
O'Sullivan joins the fray in the following group alongside Neil Robertson and Marco Fu.
Stephen Hendry, Mark Allen, Ding Junhui, Liang Wenbo and Steve Davis are among the players entering in the later groups.
The players will compete for a £200,000 total prize fund with a place in the Premier League up for grabs for the ultimate winner.
Unlike the last two years, all matches will be best of five frames so this time around a draw is not possible.
The action starts on January 4.
10.11.09
CENTURY BLITZ HITS LEICESTER
Ricky Walden has beaten Jamie Cope 4-1 in the last 16 of the third Pro Challenge Series event of the season in Leicester.
And here's how he did it...with breaks of 100, 105, 102 and 102. Cope won his frame with a run of 129.
I'm guessing there wasn't much safety play.
And here's how he did it...with breaks of 100, 105, 102 and 102. Cope won his frame with a run of 129.
I'm guessing there wasn't much safety play.
DOHERTY TALKS SIX REDS
More than 50 professionals, including 12 members of the elite top 16, will take part in the first Six Reds World Championship in Killarney, Republic of Ireland next month.
Among those taking part are reigning Crucible world champion John Higgins, Stephen Hendry, Neil Robertson, Shaun Murphy, Mark Selby, Stephen Maguire, Peter Ebdon, Mark Allen and Steve Davis.
Ken Doherty, one of the organisers, is also in the 160-man field, which includes more than half of the main tour plus amateurs from countries such as Brazil, India and the United Arab Emirates.
“It’s a different sort of the game to what people are used to – fast and furious. Some snooker matches can go on for hours but six reds is quick-fire and entertaining,” Doherty said.
“It’s something a bit different and I know all the players are looking forward to it.
“It’s great that Ireland is staging the first Six Reds World Championship and the field is properly international, open to professionals and amateurs.
“It’ll be cut-throat because with nine fewer reds than normal, one mistake can cost you a frame.
“But it promises to be a very competitive event. We have 12 of the world’s top 16 players already confirmed and are talking to the others so it will be a high quality line up.”
The 160 players will be divided into 32 groups, with the top three from each advancing to the knockout phase.
The action takes place at the INEC in Killarney from December 15-18. Entries are still being accepted and more information can be found at http://www.6redworldchampionships.com/.
Among those taking part are reigning Crucible world champion John Higgins, Stephen Hendry, Neil Robertson, Shaun Murphy, Mark Selby, Stephen Maguire, Peter Ebdon, Mark Allen and Steve Davis.
Ken Doherty, one of the organisers, is also in the 160-man field, which includes more than half of the main tour plus amateurs from countries such as Brazil, India and the United Arab Emirates.
“It’s a different sort of the game to what people are used to – fast and furious. Some snooker matches can go on for hours but six reds is quick-fire and entertaining,” Doherty said.
“It’s something a bit different and I know all the players are looking forward to it.
“It’s great that Ireland is staging the first Six Reds World Championship and the field is properly international, open to professionals and amateurs.
“It’ll be cut-throat because with nine fewer reds than normal, one mistake can cost you a frame.
“But it promises to be a very competitive event. We have 12 of the world’s top 16 players already confirmed and are talking to the others so it will be a high quality line up.”
The 160 players will be divided into 32 groups, with the top three from each advancing to the knockout phase.
The action takes place at the INEC in Killarney from December 15-18. Entries are still being accepted and more information can be found at http://www.6redworldchampionships.com/.
9.11.09
HEAD BANGERS
Mark Williams has been more Frank Spencer than John Spencer this season.
First, he broke his arm before the Shanghai Masters. Today he suffered a couple of hefty blows to his head on one of the light shades in the Pro Challenge Series at Willie Thorne's, Leicester.
Williams was beaten 4-1 by Jamie Cope.
The story put me in mind of Steve Davis, who banged his head on a thick steel door shortly before playing Ricky Walden in the 2005 China Open.
He became so dizzy that he had to withdraw midway through the third frame and was taken to hospital.
I know this will come as a shock to many of you but journalists tend not to be the most sympathetic of people.
There were a few jokes at Steve's expense backstage but fate got its own back.
As we left the venue that night, I banged my head on the same door.
It was the only time I was ever likely to emulate anything Steve had done.
And, yes, it hurt...
First, he broke his arm before the Shanghai Masters. Today he suffered a couple of hefty blows to his head on one of the light shades in the Pro Challenge Series at Willie Thorne's, Leicester.
Williams was beaten 4-1 by Jamie Cope.
The story put me in mind of Steve Davis, who banged his head on a thick steel door shortly before playing Ricky Walden in the 2005 China Open.
He became so dizzy that he had to withdraw midway through the third frame and was taken to hospital.
I know this will come as a shock to many of you but journalists tend not to be the most sympathetic of people.
There were a few jokes at Steve's expense backstage but fate got its own back.
As we left the venue that night, I banged my head on the same door.
It was the only time I was ever likely to emulate anything Steve had done.
And, yes, it hurt...
THE BARE ESSENTIALS
World Snooker has hired the Essentially Group, a leading media services agency, to sell sponsorship for the UK Championship, Masters and Welsh Open.
All three tournaments are currently without title sponsors, as was last month’s Grand Prix.
“World Snooker is looking forward to working closely with Essentially to extend our sponsorship marketing activities. Our tournaments provide sponsors with uniquely clean, creative branding opportunities and deliver considerable brand exposure throughout the UK, Mainland Europe and the Far East,” said Miles Pearce, World Snooker’s commercial director.
“Essentially is delighted to be working with World Snooker and look forward to delivering new sponsorship for the best snooker tournaments in the world, being broadcast to significant audiences on BBC and internationally,” said Nick Hoyle, sales director of Essentially.
The current global economic situation makes obtaining sponsorship difficult.
Snooker’s image – as Ronnie O’Sullivan pointed out last January – is not as strong as some other sports, despite healthy viewing audiences and the rise in interest in the game in Europe and the Far East.
If Essentially can navigate these tricky waters and find some much needed sponsors then they will be worth whatever they are being paid.
All three tournaments are currently without title sponsors, as was last month’s Grand Prix.
“World Snooker is looking forward to working closely with Essentially to extend our sponsorship marketing activities. Our tournaments provide sponsors with uniquely clean, creative branding opportunities and deliver considerable brand exposure throughout the UK, Mainland Europe and the Far East,” said Miles Pearce, World Snooker’s commercial director.
“Essentially is delighted to be working with World Snooker and look forward to delivering new sponsorship for the best snooker tournaments in the world, being broadcast to significant audiences on BBC and internationally,” said Nick Hoyle, sales director of Essentially.
The current global economic situation makes obtaining sponsorship difficult.
Snooker’s image – as Ronnie O’Sullivan pointed out last January – is not as strong as some other sports, despite healthy viewing audiences and the rise in interest in the game in Europe and the Far East.
If Essentially can navigate these tricky waters and find some much needed sponsors then they will be worth whatever they are being paid.
8.11.09
ALLISON FISHER'S STORY
Allison Fisher is the greatest player in the history of women's snooker.
She is now a leading light of the US pool circuit and tells her story in today's Observer.
Read it here.
She is now a leading light of the US pool circuit and tells her story in today's Observer.
Read it here.
6.11.09
JUDD TRUMPS O'SULLIVAN
Judd Trump’s second career victory over Ronnie O’Sullivan in the Premier League last night proved that he is a big occasion player.
His problem, conversely, is making it to the big occasions.
I confess I didn’t see the match so have had to rely on what I’ve been told, but to beat O’Sullivan before a large crowd live on television as he did in Exeter is something that will give him huge confidence.
It follows his win over the world no.1 in the Grand Prix last year.
Trump has impressed in the Premier League, yet in the qualifiers at Prestatyn this season he is 0/3.
He could conceivably win the League title and drop out of the top 32.
Ever since he was a boy he has been tipped for big things. He was a prodigious winner of junior titles and maybe he expected too much too soon as a pro.
Judd has done pretty well, making it into the top 32 as a teenager. Comparisons with other players are inevitable but unhelpful.
O’Sullivan won a ranking title at 17. Shaun Murphy was 22 when he won his first.
Players mature at different rates. Trump is attempting to make the next step by going to Sheffield, where he will practice in the World Snooker Academy.
I’d imagine this was a hard decision for him to make. Keynsham is all he has known so far but, like any young man, he is looking to spread his wings a little, be more independent and take control of his own life.
This is fine...as long as he continues to focus on his snooker.
Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry were not social animals as young men. You didn’t see them in nightclubs every weekend. They had that single-mindedness you need to succeed.
That said, comparing any player to those two is unfair: they are a breed apart.
Trump is practising with Daniel Wells and Jack Lisowski. I don’t know them personally but have interviewed them both and they seem like nice, down to earth lads and this trio is unlikely to turn into a sort of snooker brat pack.
They all love the game, they all love playing the game and the competition between the three could help each of them improve.
Trump’s next big test comes at the UK Championship qualifiers in a couple of week’s time.
He may go to Pontin’s bleary-eyed as Premier League champion.
I don’t believe he will simply fade away but it is pointless predicting what he will achieve in the future.
Better to just let the guy play. Because, as O’Sullivan will tell you, he can play.
His problem, conversely, is making it to the big occasions.
I confess I didn’t see the match so have had to rely on what I’ve been told, but to beat O’Sullivan before a large crowd live on television as he did in Exeter is something that will give him huge confidence.
It follows his win over the world no.1 in the Grand Prix last year.
Trump has impressed in the Premier League, yet in the qualifiers at Prestatyn this season he is 0/3.
He could conceivably win the League title and drop out of the top 32.
Ever since he was a boy he has been tipped for big things. He was a prodigious winner of junior titles and maybe he expected too much too soon as a pro.
Judd has done pretty well, making it into the top 32 as a teenager. Comparisons with other players are inevitable but unhelpful.
O’Sullivan won a ranking title at 17. Shaun Murphy was 22 when he won his first.
Players mature at different rates. Trump is attempting to make the next step by going to Sheffield, where he will practice in the World Snooker Academy.
I’d imagine this was a hard decision for him to make. Keynsham is all he has known so far but, like any young man, he is looking to spread his wings a little, be more independent and take control of his own life.
This is fine...as long as he continues to focus on his snooker.
Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry were not social animals as young men. You didn’t see them in nightclubs every weekend. They had that single-mindedness you need to succeed.
That said, comparing any player to those two is unfair: they are a breed apart.
Trump is practising with Daniel Wells and Jack Lisowski. I don’t know them personally but have interviewed them both and they seem like nice, down to earth lads and this trio is unlikely to turn into a sort of snooker brat pack.
They all love the game, they all love playing the game and the competition between the three could help each of them improve.
Trump’s next big test comes at the UK Championship qualifiers in a couple of week’s time.
He may go to Pontin’s bleary-eyed as Premier League champion.
I don’t believe he will simply fade away but it is pointless predicting what he will achieve in the future.
Better to just let the guy play. Because, as O’Sullivan will tell you, he can play.
4.11.09
THE MAGNIFICENT SEVENTH?
I’m told by a very good source that it is “99% certain” there will be a seventh ranking event this season.
If so, this is obviously good news, although it will raise the question of whether the ranking points tariffs should have been altered in the way they were as it will skew this season to be more important than last.
That’s a minor point for now. The more tournaments the better as far as I’m concerned.
Indeed, the number of tournaments being staged is increasing as private promoters stage more away from the ‘main tour’.
I’ve noticed a tendency for snooker fans to dismiss anything that isn’t a ranking event as a bit of nonsense that shouldn’t be taken seriously.
Well, Liang Wenbo won £50,000 for winning 110sport’s tournament in Beijing in the summer. I’d guess he took that pretty seriously.
Almost every ranking event started life as a smaller invitation tournament.
This was true of the UK Championship. Indeed, it was true of the World Championship.
But for Barry Hearn and his 80s vision, would there have been fully fledged ranking events in Dubai or Thailand or China?
So the next time you disregard a tournament just because it doesn’t carry ranking points, look back at snooker history and you may want to think again.
Whether an event carries ranking points or not, exposure for the game in terms of visibility cannot be overestimated.
If so, this is obviously good news, although it will raise the question of whether the ranking points tariffs should have been altered in the way they were as it will skew this season to be more important than last.
That’s a minor point for now. The more tournaments the better as far as I’m concerned.
Indeed, the number of tournaments being staged is increasing as private promoters stage more away from the ‘main tour’.
I’ve noticed a tendency for snooker fans to dismiss anything that isn’t a ranking event as a bit of nonsense that shouldn’t be taken seriously.
Well, Liang Wenbo won £50,000 for winning 110sport’s tournament in Beijing in the summer. I’d guess he took that pretty seriously.
Almost every ranking event started life as a smaller invitation tournament.
This was true of the UK Championship. Indeed, it was true of the World Championship.
But for Barry Hearn and his 80s vision, would there have been fully fledged ranking events in Dubai or Thailand or China?
So the next time you disregard a tournament just because it doesn’t carry ranking points, look back at snooker history and you may want to think again.
Whether an event carries ranking points or not, exposure for the game in terms of visibility cannot be overestimated.
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