The Snookerbacker Blog

July 8, 2010

Countdown to the World Open

Filed under:

Snooker Betting

— snookerbacker @ 2:59 pm

Firstly readers, sad news, Tony Knowles has failed to make it past his first match in the PTC Event. Apologies in advance to any ladies reading this for the first time but I feel it is my duty to break the news to you. I am here for you, truly I am, I understand how upset you are, call me, I’m always here.

Anyway, he’s probably entered the World Open has our TK which has attracted almost 1000 amateurs, hackers and hopefuls who are all dreaming of a date with the big boys on telly in September.

The merry band of men and I presume women are registered for qualifying tournaments to be held at 10 Rileys clubs around the country. (Cardiff, Dunfermline, Glasgow, Guildford, Leicester, Middlesbrough, Norwich, Plymouth, Preston and Stevenage).

The head honcho’s at Rileys are clearly pleased with the uptake and their supremo Maurice Kelly says excitedly:

“We are delighted that nearly 1,000 amateur players have entered the World Snooker Open through Rileys clubs nationwide. This is largest-ever entry for a home-based snooker tournament. It proves that at its grassroots, the game of snooker is really flourishing, particularly when you look at the number of young entrants for this competition”.

He then gave it the old marketing flannel and continued: “Rileys are committed to developing snooker in the United Kingdom, through our hugely-successful Future Stars competition for players under 16, and the development work we do with our ambassador, Ronnie O’Sullivan.”

He then left the press call to ensure that the orders had been placed for extra sausage rolls, steak pies and cheese and onion crisps for the hungry brigade to munch on between matches. Just make sure you wash your hands before going back to the table or our Maurice will have you kicked out.

Chairman Barry also never misses an opportunity to pitch in and agreed with Mozza saying:

Barry likes to give out the verbals.

“I’m thrilled to see that nearly 1,000 players have entered the Rileys qualifiers. It shows that snooker is still booming at club level and I’ve no doubt that there’s a lot of talent out there which could flourish in this event”.

“I’m keen to see the quality of the players who win these events and go through to the professional qualifiers. It will be fascinating to see if any of them can get through to the TV stages and take on the big boys”.

If anyone out there is involved in any of the events, get in touch and we’ll happily follow your progress (or lack of it of course..)

You can read more about the World Open here.

You can also watch an interview with Rileys Ambassador and Part-Time Chocolate Factory owner Ronnie here.

Comments (10)

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10 Comments »

Never mind that Champ! See what the Snookerbacker tag does for you, obviously everyone else was far too frightened to turn up when they realised the weight of support they would be facing, a lost cause. The way it’s going you’ll end up giving Ronnie a pasting on the telly.

Keep faith with the SB1

Comment by snookerbacker — July 11, 2010 @ 2:12 pm Reply
Thanks everyone for your support, after a hard day’s work I’m proud to report that you are now looking at the Riley’s Champion of Gloucester! Now on to the regional finals! Only 2 or 3 matches to reach the professional qualifying in Sheffield now..

Lets leave out the part where I was the only player to turn up

Really though, it can’t be promising for the health of the sport. Rileys have been boasting about having over 1000 entries to the world open, however with 125 clubs I make that an average of 8 entries per club, despite it being free to enter. Yesterday when I went to practice on a Saturday afternoon, there were 0 out of 12 tables in use, and same again today on a Sunday. The guy behind the bar said they’re removing 3 tables to make way for the booming darts events where they get 200+ people….

Barry Hearn has a major challenge on his hands here

Comment by Jack12321 — July 11, 2010 @ 1:56 pm Reply
Go go Jack…a top sponsorship deal is awaiting you just around the corner surely !!!

Comment by IanWhite — July 9, 2010 @ 7:53 am Reply
I love the punch the air bit. Put them in their place that’s what I say, a bit like how you’d treat a lady you had a particular fancy for – mean to keep her keen, that’s the ticket.

Comment by snookerbacker — July 9, 2010 @ 6:58 am Reply
No Jack, I haven’t picked one up in about six months! Really must get round to playing again, just never seem to have time. It would be great if you could update us on your progress. Go the SB1 !!!

Comment by snookerbacker — July 9, 2010 @ 6:52 am Reply
I played against my Uncle today and knocked in a 74 and 63 in a 5-0 win. Then I played a young kid called John who is really excellent (about twelve years young) and I dismantled him 4-0. I made a 61 against the youngster. I told him that I was going to teach him a lesson and duly obliged. He is a little smug you see. He did make a 51 in the second frame, but i cleared with a 33 to win that frame on the black. I even punched the air (no mercy). It will make him more determined to beat me you see. I’m lucky that my uncle has had a table for as long as I can remember. I’ve made a few centuries on it. Not for a while though

Comment by Simon Winterton-Green — July 8, 2010 @ 11:32 pm Reply
What an honour SB! I fear I may let down all the faithful followers however, as I’ve not picked up a cue in two months! I’ll be entering at the Gloucester Rileys this Sunday fingers crossed!

Will you be participating at all?

Comment by Jack12321 — July 8, 2010 @ 7:47 pm Reply
INDEPENDENT CLUBS
Yes should have mentioned the independent clubs, they are:

Northern Snooker Centre
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS3 1LT
Tel: 0113 243 3015
http://www.northernsnookercentre.co.uk
The event will take place on July 24th, starting at 11.30am. Entry is £10,

The Ivy Rooms Snooker Club
Kennedy Avenue
Carlow Town
Republic of Ireland
Tel: +353 (0)59 9137714
http://www.ivyrooms.com

Castle Snooker Club
22-23 Castle Street
Brighton
East Sussex
BN1 2HD
Tel: 01273 382246
http://www.castlesnookerclub.com

Keynsham Snooker Centre
Chew Park
Temple Street
Keynsham
Bristol
BS31 1HE
Tel: 0117 986 1375
http://www.keynshamsnookercentre.co.uk

Competition will take place on Sunday 25 July. Matches start at 10am

Entry fee £10. Free parking.

Grove Snooker Centre
1 Farringdon Grove
Faringdon Ave
Romford
RM3 8TD
Tel: 0117 986 1375
http://www.grovesnooker.co.uk

South West Snooker Academy
The Aquarius Centre
Waterwells
Gloucester
GL2 2FC

Contact Liz Lane – 01452 729380
http://www.southwestsnookeracademy.com/SWSA_NEW_Site/

Event will take place 31st July 2010

The Q Club (West End)
101 St Georges Road
Glasgow
G3 6JA
Tel: 0141 333 9035
http://www.qclub.org.uk

Landywood Snooker Club
The Bungalow, Holly Lane
Great Wyrley, Walsall, West Midlands
WS6 6AJ
Contact David Turner – 01922 701 147

QE1 Snooker Club
23 Marina Park
Belfast
BT5 6BA
07720 149111
Entry fee: Seniors £25/Under 19 £10

Comment by snookerbacker — July 8, 2010 @ 5:51 pm Reply
You can do it Jack, you are officially the Snookerbacker One. How does it feel to have this prestigious accolade? I hope it won’t put too much pressure on you with the avalanche of support you’ll have on here. When/Where are you first playing if you don’t mind me asking?

Comment by snookerbacker — July 8, 2010 @ 5:48 pm Reply
I’ll be taking part in 3 qualifiers interestingly although the Rileys entries are now shut, you can still enter for the independent clubs whereby you skip out a round of qualifying (at Rileys you have to win both the local event and the regional event to qualify for Sheffield, winners of the competitions at the independent clubs go straight through to Sheffield.) The South West Snooker academy are doing one at £25 a go, and the Castle Snooker club in Brighton are charging £20 for theirs, and there are 8 others supposedly.

Really though, the chances of an amateur getting through 5 rounds of professional qualifying to reach the TV stages is about zilch.

Comment by Jack12321 — July 8, 2010 @ 5:11 pm Reply