SNOOKER A BULLETIN - GRAND PRIX

The first tournament of season is over, and I must say what a tremendous display from John Higgins. The build up to the Grand Prix at Preston was to say the least negative, but for myself it came as no surprise, having spent twenty years involved in the politics, I know how self destructive this game can be.

To say the game has a problem at the moment, would be an understatement, sponsorship is at an all time low, and the tournament schedule is looking desperate.

The only answer to this crisis in my opinion is for everybody to pull together, although I will not be holding my breath.

Lets start with a brief history of what's gone before. From the early days, when top amateurs like Reardon and Spencer applied to join the Professional ranks, the Professionals at the time were of the opinion that they did not need them. Fortunately when Reardon said they would start there own association they saw sense.

Snooker is a very individual sport, it is for that reason it needs a strong governing body, that over the years has been its Achilles heel. Whether its been managers or the press, it seems that everybody wants to criticise the game for there own ends. Rightly or wrongly ( I believe in the former ) they had to spend £1.2 million to protect the constitution.

There are many ingredients that have snooker one of the most popular sports on television, high on that list is the players, Reardon, Spencer, Higgins, Davis, White, and Hendry. The aforementioned players, have been responsible in making the game popular with people all over the world. Unfortunately our star player at this moment in time is bored with the game, I of course refer Ronnie O Sullivan one of the most natural talents the game has ever seen. I understand in a way why snooker is not fulfilling is dream, but he can remedy that quite easily by playing his own natural game. I have great respect for Ray Reardon, but I am sure he will agree with me if your a better player you have to be more aggressive and prove it.

The other main ingredient, is how the game is run that is the responsibility of the association, this to me is of great concern it seems as if the only criteria is to cut costs, an example of this is to dispense of the services of M.C. Alan Hughes, his intros were part and parcel of the occasion. When I asked his replacement why he was wearing an open neck shirt and no jacket to introduce the players, he informed me that when he asked what the dress code was they said they could not remember what Alan Hughes had worn before, strange answer has he had been doing for over fifteen years.

It is also very worrying that no mention yet of a sponsor to replace Embassy for the World Championship in Sheffield. When I was on the board, the finger was always pointed at the fact that players could not run a business, that is why they brought in these non- playing executives, that may be all well and good but if they don’t believe in the product, and from what I have seen so far this season, I don’t think they do, the future of our great game looks bleak.

Please let us know your thoughts, and maybe we can halt this slide into oblivion.

( Snooker Fan )

Unlike Ronnie whose comments in the interview after winning his semi were the worst I have ever heard from any snooker player in the last 25 years. What player at the top of any other major sport and about to play in a final would behave in such a way and tell all snooker fans (and potential sponsors) he is bored and would sooner be home chilling out with a curry or pruning his roses. He is a disgrace to the game at a time when Snooker needs all the help it can get from every quarter. Turn the clock back and what would have happened to Alex if he had made such an outburst--a ban--bringing the game in disrepute--a heavy fine at the very least.

No wonder some fans who pay hard earned money to watch the tournaments booed Ronnie-- I'm surprised they did not throw anything. What if the fans had the same attitude and stayed at home. All the players would be back trawling around working men's clubs playing for whatever they can get & most of the players would be out of the game. The whole snooker industry is suffering at the moment and need comments such as Ronnie's like a hole in the white.

I know Davis Parrot and all including Rodney walker were trying hard to cover over the cracks but lets face it the poor state of the game will not be helped by this sort of press coverage and what sponsor wants his product or image represented by a sport whose best player acts in such a manner.

I wish Ronnie good luck in America because he will not last 5 minutes whinging and whining about how bored he is playing pool. The yanks will send him packing very quickly.