Welcome to my player’s blog on all things snooker

Hello to my fellow fans of the baize.

Over the coming weeks and months, i hope to bring you some of the news and views on the World Snooker tour from the player’s perspective. I’ll also be able to give you an idea of some pro’s and con’s of life on the snooker tour…..yes – the long flights, the the extensive garnering of knowledge of which airlines have free changeable flights, the various venues, the hotels, and meeting other jet lagged fellow players in the breakfast lobby in the wee small hours, praying that breakfast starts at 5:30am and not 6. The local food, restaurants and any other gen that’s at all worthy a mention.

Some of the more serious topics I’ll be covering will range from my opinion on grass roots snooker, the state of the amateur game, Tour qualifying criteria, the tougher end at the lower reaches of the pro rankings and the cost involved, right through to issues regarding players at the higher end of the snooker spectrum.

We’re fortunate in this age of the Internet to have a numerous and varied gaggle of fine snooker bloggers who collectively do a grand job in covering up to the minute results, current ranking updates, projected rankings etc etc. I’ve said in the past how much their diligence and dedication is much appreciated by the players and fans alike, and long may that continue. If I can add something a wee bit different for you then it’ll have been worth it.

One thing there’s rarely a dearth of in the player’s room (as Jason Ferguson, our chairman would testify) is healthy debate on some, although more likely all of the logistical decisions which of course have an impact on all professional players. As most of you are well aware, it’s 5 years now since Barry Hearn won control of our sport. With the change at board level back then being very much along the lines of ‘Out with the old, and in with the new’, then life at the snooker coal face swiftly followed suit. I for one – have considered for some time that the vast majority of change has been of a positive nature. Again, let’s hope that trend continues. I’m sure it will.

As this little blog will be very much an ‘as we go’ kind of thing, I’m keen on hearing any suggestions that you guys might have as to any playing issues you feel are worth covering, and I’ll do my level best to get on it.

I’ve a few things in mind at the moment, one being what will happen regarding the APTC Tour uncertainty as regards the postponement / cancellation of APTC 1. With PTC Finals berths, and full Tour spots potentially up for grabs. However, I’m sure in the fullness of time all will be made clear.

As I don’t want to write only about the serious stuff, there’s a few ideas I have for a regular feature. One will be a players, officials and referee’s Q&A which will be the same set of questions to each of the guys or gals. It will be mostly non-snooker related, lighthearted questions which I hope you’ll enjoy. If any of you players etc fancy getting involved then give me a shout at the venues if you’ve got a half hour to spare. Or if there’s anyone in particular you’d like to do hear doing my Q&A, let me know – and I’ll do my best to be a pest.

Thanks for reading, and I’ll catch you guys soon.

Alan McManus