Bond is back

Nigel Bond has been a great ambassador for snooker during his 21-year spell as a professional.

Although he hasn't enjoyed a glittering career, his hardened style of play ensured he enjoyed seven uninterrupted years among the top 16 from 1992 to 1999.

Within this spell, he also enjoyed the brightest moment making it to the final of the World Championship at the Crucible in 1995.

His only ever ranking event triumph came in the 1996/97 season, when he lifted the British Open title after a 9-8 win against John Higgins in the final.

But as well as this success on the table, Nigel is a cracking bloke off the table too. His laid back attitude to the game probably explains why he still holds a spot in the top 48 rankings today.

At the age of 45, and with retirement from the game looming large, to still be competing at such a high level is a testament to what a good player Nigel is.




For all the compliments though, never could Nigel have expected to return to lifting honours in the twilight of his career.

That was until the invention of Shoot-Out snooker of course.

Bond showed exactly how much this new format of the game leaves the door wide open. Nigel will be the first to admit he's not playing tournament winning snooker at this stage of his career.

But with matches being contested for just 10 minutes, everyone has a chance. That's no longer a throw away line, but a reality after seeing Bond's success.

This for me marks why the Shoot-Out was such a success.

Although a diluted version of snooker, it's great to see players like Nigel can still cut it at the top level. They still have the game, even if only in short bursts, to rival the younger players.

It's that unknown quantity of what could happen in the Shoot-Out, which will keep the punters coming back for more.

Sure, if the event is hosted again, Ronnie O'Sullivan or Mark Williams could win it, and no-one would be surprised.


But following on from Bond's impressive display, fans will keep coming back believing maybe next time it could be Steve Davis or Jimmy White who land the title.

This kind of format never looked tailor made for a player like Bond, who has earned his crust as one of the sport's grafters. But he still managed to deliver.


I'm really pleased for Nigel, and really pleased with the success of the competition.


Hats off to Barry Hearn!