Tom Ellis, from Swindon kicks it off, answering our questions.
What are your first memories of snooker?
My first memories of snooker are watching it round my grandad’s house in the afternoons. I was only young at the time so probably didn’t understand all the rules but he was really into it and I liked his passion for it. It was then I started to appreciate the long build-up play. For a young kid to sit still without getting bored is a testament to my early appreciation of the game and his passion for
talking about it to me.What is your greatest snooker memory?
Very difficult to pick a stand-out favourite as there are a couple of contenders but I would perhaps go for a recent one when Ronnie O'Sullivan came back against John Higgins in the semi-final of last year's UK Championship, but then was beaten in the final frame. I can't remember the exact scoreline but Higgins only needed one more frame to get over the line and Ronnie pulled level I think before a sweating Higgins eventually secured his winning frame. It's one of my best memories because it had Ronnie as the underdog when he is usually the favourite. I remember John Virgo saying in commentary "And who said Snooker was boring?". I thought to myself 'damn right!'
Who are your three favourite snooker players and why?
My top two are easy and perhaps predictable choices but to pick a third took more consideration.
In top spot is O'Sullivan. I don't care one jot that he hasn’t won as much as Stephen Hendry or isn’t as consistent as he should supposedly be for someone with his natural ability. But the fact that his level of skill is touching on perfection when he gets it right, puts him at number one for me. That brilliance becomes even more fantastic for me when you consider the clear emotional impact losing his father to a long jail term has caused him. I often think if his father hadn’t been sentenced to prison he would have utterly dominated the game, but he was, and the affect on his mental health has been obvious and well documented. But, like I said, despite that he still clinches number one position for me.
In second is Neil Robertson, who has emerged on the big game scene in the last couple of years and I think in the near future he has the chance to win more. I think Snooker needs more modern trendy young men like him to continue the game's growth and attract new audiences. I also unashamedly like his hair ha!
Third place I’m going to give to Graeme Dott. This could have gone a few different ways but I like a tryer and boy does Dott try. He has come back from set backs in his past and played very well against Robertson in the last game I saw him play. I
didn’t think he was capable of putting in a performance like that if I’m honest, but he did, and all credit to him. He shows that grit and determination which go a long long way in Snooker.Who is your player to watch this season and why?
I'm going to go for Ding Junhui. The bloke just has to come good sooner or later. I don't think he ever gets as far in competitions as he should. The worst thing is I don’t think he feels he can but the ability is there. It's difficult to put your finger on why, but he seems very shy and that sometimes comes through in his game play. If someone could get him by the scruff of his neck he could increase his potential 10-fold.
Who is the greatest player ever to pick up a cue and why?
Unfortunately I’m going to be boring and go for Ronnie again for reasons stated before. I just can't fault the guy for natural talent. Sorry to be predictable!
Where do you see snooker in ten years' time?
Honestly, I don't see it changing drastically. I think timed shots may make an appearance and some slight rule changes to shake it up a bit. I'd like to more new tournaments on the calendar but I think snooker sadly will never compete in terms of audience size with football and I don't know if I'd want it to.
I almost find half the appeal of it is it has become a bit niche. I think producers should accept it has a hardcore audience and just be happy with that. We like it how it is, it's a formula that works.
Ok fine, give the players walk on music, make subtle changes but really it's working well. I feel other factors come into play as well.
If you could change one thing in snooker, what would it be?
Tricky this because I’m a bit anti-change but maybe something like opponents get a 1 or 2 frame advantage depending on where they are seeded. That could spice things up a bit...
I love snooker because...the intense build-up play to dictate a frame can be lost in one mistake handing the advantage and the frame to your opponent, turning the game on it's head in a second!
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