By Jon Wilde
April 23 2006

Stevens: SNOOKER Is A Shambles

By Jon Wilde of Bettingzone.co.uk





Shaun Murphy and Matthew Stevens, who fought out a classic World Championship final last year, offer conflicting views on the current state of snooker.

At the launch of the 2006 World Championship, which begins in Sheffield on April 15 and is being sponsored by 888.com for the first time, title-holder Murphy expressed confidence of reviving the game's golden period of the 1980s.

But Stevens, who was edged out 18-16 in the 2005 final at the Crucible Theatre, described this season's calendar as "a bit of a shambles".

"You can't really call playing snooker a job at the moment," the 28-year-old Welsh professional said.

"People talk about the world rankings but how can you judge people on only six tournaments a season? It's not like golf which has about 40 events a year. It's a lottery.

"Snooker lost tobacco sponsorship last year and this season we've had tournaments in Malta and China but the prize money is terrible. It's a bit of a shambles to be honest and it's a concern to all the players.

"I don't know how it can be sorted out. All us players can do is just keep potting balls."

Murphy, a 150-1 outsider when he set out on the road to becoming champion last year, prefers to look at the positives and sees the addition of online casino 888.com to the sponsorship ranks as a significant step forward.

"I think snooker is on the up," said the 23-year-old Rotherham-based player. "It has been through a trough but will rise to a peak again and I'm looking forward to being a big part of that future. There are new sponsors coming in and we have great links with the BBC.

"Okay, the number of tournaments has been cut down due to a lack of funds, but all the ones we have now pay for themselves and don't owe anyone any money.

"The time is right for more good companies to get on board and if that happens then snooker will be very big again, like it was in the 1980s."

Murphy's opinion on the game's popularity is endorsed by the hectic 12 months he has experienced - but also enjoyed - since his shock victory.

"The World Championship has come round so quickly and it's unbelievable to think what has happened to me in the space of a year," said the man who became the first qualifier to capture the crown since Terry Griffiths in 1979.

"Getting married last summer seems like a lifetime ago, plus we've moved house and my father has been ill. I've also competed in every snooker tournament and played some good stuff along the way.

"I never realised how busy I would be and I could have filled every night with an engagement, but I've had to make sure I reserve time for my family and for practising.

"Almost every time I go out now I get recognised - whether it's just to the supermarket or to China for a tournament. But if the biggest deal is signing an autograph or posing for a picture with someone then it's not a bad situation, is it?"

LOTS MORE SNOOKER STORIES HERE



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