Snooker star David Lilley on a memorable 2021 and his Toon support
The last three or four months has been a bit of a golden time for North East snooker, with Gary Wilson and Elliot Slessor making waves at the British Open in recent weeks and DAVID LILLEY seeing off the likes of Ken Doherty and Jimmy White to win the World Seniors Championship at the Crucible in May. And for 45-year-old Lilley, who spends much of his time across the Tyne at Gateshead Snooker Centre, the best could still be to come…
I started playing snooker when I was 13. I’d been playing pool for a little bit, and one day I said to my dad that I wanted to play on one of the big tables. I was hooked straight away. I won my first major – the European Championship – when I was 19. The same year, I lost the Northern Amateur final to the late Paul Hunter. And then I got a job and I had to grow up, basically; there wasn’t a lot of money around, and I couldn’t get a sponsor. I’d have loved to turn pro but I didn’t have the coin to do it.
After the tobacco sponsors were squished, snooker really suffered – to the point where there were only around six tournaments a year. At that point, I’d won the English Amateur title, I was CIU champ three years in a row, I was one of the top amateurs in the world and I had quite a good job as well, so I didn’t feel it was worth giving that up to play in a handful of tournaments a year. I continued working in the insurance industry for a number of years, and then Barry Hearn took over and took snooker back to what it was like in the Eighties, where there were 16 or 17 tournaments a year again. And I thought: ‘You know, I’m coming up to 40 years old – I need to make a decision and just go for it.’ I was actually at work, at a team-building workshop, when I eventually made the call. There was a guest speaker there called Brendan Hall, who’d taken part in the Round the World Yacht Race, and a lot of the things he said just struck a chord with me. That was it. I thought: ‘These are signs that are telling me I’ve got to leave work and go and play snooker full-time.’ I told my gaffer I was going to leave, and I did.
I got on the tour – the World Snooker Tour – two years ago now. The irony is that, after waiting all of my life to turn pro, I couldn’t have picked a worse time to do it, because Covid kicked in and just about every tournament got cancelled!
However, winning the World Seniors Championship earlier this year has really changed everything for me. After overcoming a shoulder problem (the result of going from spending eight hours a week at the table as an amateur to something like 48 as a pro!), I could feel myself starting to play well again and it all came good that week in May. The experience was second to none. It was at the Crucible – the home of snooker – and it was just unreal. You see it on the TV where there are two tables side by side, but even just playing the one-table arena, the place felt really small. It was intense, and you feel the pressure straight away. You’re being interviewed every two minutes, and it all just builds. I felt I got better with every game I played, all the way through to the final against Jimmy White. To be playing against Jimmy – my hero – was really quite surreal. He’s such a nice guy, too – he couldn’t have been friendlier throughout the week.
David poses with the World Seniors Championship trophy at the Crucible.
Last month, I played in the British Open in Leicester. It was the first time the tournament had been played since 2004, and it’s a little like snooker’s version of the FA Cup – it’s really good for the neutral because two top players can come up against one another in the first round, as was the case with Mark Selby and Shaun Murphy this year. I won my first game and I played really well. I didn’t give my opponent, Craig Steadman, much of a chance, and I got over the line 3-1. The draw for the next round took place and I ended up playing Jordan Brown, but it was one of those where everything I touched went wrong and whatever he touched went right. After the way I’d been playing, it was disappointing to lose, but you have to take your medicine and come back fighting.
While I was there, though, I learned I was going to be playing in snooker’s Champion of Champions later this year. It was a complete surprise; ten seconds before you saw me do an interview for ITV4 on the Tuesday night, that was when I found out! I was stood with Rob Walker, having a bit of craic about the Olympics, and just as the camera was about to start rolling, he said: ‘So, Dave, how do you feel about being in the Champion of Champions?’ I just couldn’t believe it. People will laugh but, in my opinion, it’s the biggest competition there is – all of the players taking part have had to pot match ball to win a tournament. It’s the one I’ve always dreamed of being in. I’m counting down the days ‘til I go and play in it and I’m very thankful to my sponsor, GoSkippy Insurance, for their continued support.
I love the Toon. The last 18 months, not being able to come to St. James’ Park, has been complete torture. I was planning on coming to the Burnley game and the Southampton game as well, but they’ve just revamped the snooker calendar and I had to play in a qualifier! But I’ll definitely be coming to a few games as the season goes on. I just hope we can finish about where we did last season, and we’ll see what happens with this takeover.
Thank you to Andy Chubb for providing the two pictures of David and the World Seniors Championship trophy.
This article originally appeared in UNITED – the Magpies’ official matchday programme – ahead of the Carabao Cup game against Burnley last week. To order a copy of the programme, as well as upcoming issues and programmes from the 2020/21 season, please visit Curtis Sport’s website here.
We regret to announce the UK Seniors tournament has been postponed until January.
Due to the continuing challenges and restrictions for overseas travel, a decision has been made to delay the competition. The event would have been the first to take place at the Bonus Arena, Hull since March 2020.
However, a decision has been taken to delay the tournament – set to feature Jimmy White, Joe Johnson and Ken Doherty – from 12-15 August to 4-7 January 2022.
It is hoped the international snooker legends based overseas will be able to take part by moving the event to next year.
Tickets already purchased for the event remain valid for the equivalent new dates in January. The full draw for the event will take place next month.
To book tickets for the 2022 event visit –> Bonus Arena Hull Website
It’s unfortunate of course but probably the best decision given the circumstances
Peter Lines, who just regained his spot in the main tour via the Q-School is an extremely hard worker and passionate about his sport. Lee is a coach and someone who will go out of his way to support snooker at all levels. I remember him, and Michael White, a few years back, traveling about 50 km to spend an afternoon with disabled players. They made time for everyone. Congratulations to both!
The Super Seniors Event 2 was won by the rustproof, evergreen, ever-vocal Gary Filtness.
Well done Gary!
Congratulations to Mark Beale who will join Michaela Tabb and Ian Wagstaff at the Bonus Arena, Hull for the Rokitofficial 2021 UK Seniors Snooker Championship. Mark has done many of our qualifiers over the past few years, and totally deserves this opportunity to officiate on the big scene. Good luck Mark, enjoy!
The second batch of qualifiers for the 2021 Seniors UK Championship is underway in Reading. The first Q-School event of the week as well as the first Super Senior event concluded yesterday.
Congratulations to Rod Lawler and Wayne Cooper the Event 1 finalists.
They will play in Hull next month.
You will find everything you need to know about this event – draw, matches results and scores – by following this link.
Congratulations also to Darren Morgan who won the Super Seniors Event 1
The following information was shared by Jason Francis on Facebook.
Those events take place next week
The Draw for the Rokitofficial Uk Seniors event 1 is as follows…
Patrick Wallace V Chris Taylor
Garry Coulson V Adrian Morrissey
Lee Martin V David Brock
Johnathan Bagley V Gary Widdecombe
Jamie Brown V Richard Wykes
Neil Craycraft V Richard Jones
Patsy Fagan V James Burrett
Rod Lawler V Alfie Burden
Stuart Watson V Mukesh Parmar
Adam Denham V Seamus Smith
Dean Sycamore V Tony Corrigan or Colin Bark
Lee Richardson V Minesh Doshi
Wayne Townsend V Andy Battams
Steve Crowley V Gareth Edwards
Darren Morgan V John Parr
Mark Ganderton V Dean Reynolds or John Snape
Aaron Canavan V Igor Figueiredo
Kevin Palmer V Sean Vaz or Chris Cookson
Gary Filtness V Peter O’Malley
Lee Walker V Shaf Hussain
Peter Lines V John Welsh or Les Dodd
Mark Ball V Jonathan Sumner
Rory McLeod V Stuart Reardon
Andrew Greaves V Darren Bradstock
Tony Knowles V Darryl James
Gerard Greene V Darren Mills
Matt Ford V MarkBell
Steve Bird V Lee Cromie
Richard Emery V James Butterworth or James McGouran
John Hunter V David McDonnell
Simon Chandler V Mike Lucas or John Palmer
Wayne Cooper V Danny Crawford
The Draw for the Rokitofficial Uk Seniors event 2 is as follows…
Patrick Wallace V Keith Thomas
Kevin Palmer V Nigel Philips
Johnathan Bagley V Simon Chandler
Richard Emery V Sean Vaz
Jamie Brown V Alfie Burden
Karl Townsend V Danny Crawford
Patsy Fagan V David McDonnell
Steve Bird V Peter O’Malley
Stuart Watson V Dennis Tristram
Andrew Greaves V Garry Coulson or Minesh Doshi
Gary Filtness V David Brock
Rhydian Richards V Ian Whiting
Wayne Townsend V Igor Figueiredo
Dharminder Lilly V Dean Reynolds
Darren Morgan V Luke Simmonds
Gerard Greene V Chris Taylor or Andy Battams
Aaron Canavan V Gary Widdecombe
Mark Ganderton V Colin Bark
John Hunter V Stuart Reardon
Leo Fernandez V Les Dodd
Peter Lines V John Palmer
Lee Richardson V Adrian Morrissey
Rory McLeod V Chris Cookson
Rod Lawler V Tam Mustafa or James Burrett
Tony Knowles V Richard Wykes
Neil Craycraft V Tony Chappel
Matt Ford V Lee Cromie or Tony Corrigan
Steve Crowley V Shaf Hussain
Lee Walker V Andy Milliard
Lee Martin V John Welsh
Adam Denham V Gareth Edwards
Wayne Cooper V Ray Grall
The Super Seniors over 55 drew out two events to support the main qualifiers.
Event 1
Gary Filtness V Darren Morgan
Richard Wykes V Karl Townsend
Ray Grall V Les Dodd
Andy Milliard V Mike Lucas
Chris Cookson V Stuart Almond
Richard Emery V John Hunter
Dennis Tristram V John Welsh
Mukesh Parmar V David Brock
Event 2
Gary Filtness V Andrew Darken
Richard Wykes V Keith Thomas
Richard Emery V Les Dodd
Ray Grall V Karl Townsend
Andy Milliard V John Hunter
Patsy Fagan V John Welsh
Dennis Tristram V David Brock
Ashley Beal V Darren Morgan
In addition here is the schedule:
EVENT 1 AND Super Seniors 1 FORMAT. TIME Tuesday 20th
9am Match Pre-Lims
PL1 Tony Corrigan V Colin Bark
PL2 Dean Reynolds V John Snape
PL3 John Welsh V Les Dodd
PL4 James Butterworth V James McGouran
PL5 Mike Lucas V John Palmer
10am
9 Stuart Watson V Mukesh Parmar
10 Adam Denham V Seamus Smith
12 Lee Richardson V Minesh Doshi
NB 11.30am
13 Wayne Townsend V Andy Battams
14 Steve Crowley V Gareth Edwards
15 Darren Morgan V John Parr
30 John Hunter V David McDonnell
32 Wayne Cooper V Danny Crawford
NB 1pm
11 Dean Sycamore V Winner of PL1
16 Mark Ganderton V Winner of PL2
21 Peter Lines V Winner of PL 3
29 Richard Emery V Winner of PL4
31 Simon Chandler V Winne of PL5
NB 2.30PM
22 Mark Ball V Jonathan Sumner
23 Rory McLeod V Stuart Reardon
24 Andrew Greaves V Darren Bradstock
NB 4PM Match
37 Winner Match 9 v Winner Match 10
38 Winner Match 11 Winner Match 12
39 Winner Match 13 Winner Match 14
40 Winner Match 15 Winner Match 16
NB 5.30PM
43 Winner Match 21 Winner Match 22
44 Winner Match 23 Winner Match 24
47 Winner Match 29 Winner Match 30
48 Winner Match 31 Winner Match 32
NB 7.30
51 Winner Match 37 Winner Match 38
52 Winner Match 39 Winner Match 40
54 Winner Match 43 Winner Match 44
56 Winner Match 47 Winner Match 48
DAY 2 TIME Wednesday 21st
9am Match Pre-Lims
PL6 Sean Vaz v Chris Cookson
10am
17 Aaron Canavan V Igor Figueiredo
19 Gary Filtness V Peter O’Malley
20 Lee Walker V Shaf Hussain
5 Jamie Brown V Richard Wykes
6 Neil Craycraft V Richard Jones
NB 11am
25 Tony Knowles V Darryl James
26 Gerard Greene V Darren Mills
NB1pm
27 Matt Ford V MarkBell
28 Steve Bird V Lee Cromie
1 Patrick Wallace V Chris Taylor
2 Garry Coulson V Adrian Morrissey
18 Kevin Palmer V Winner of PL6
NB 2.30PM
3 Lee Martin V David Brock
4 Johnathan Bagley V Gary Widdecombe
7 Patsy Fagan V James Burrett
8 Rod Lawler V Alfie Burden
NB 4.30
35 Winner Match 5 V Winner Match 6
41 Winner Match 17 V Winner Match 18
42 Winner Match 19 V Winner Match 20
45 Winner Match 25 V Winner Match 26
46 Winner Match 27 V Winner Match 28
NB 6PM
33 Winner Match 1 V Winner Match 2
34 Winner Match 3 V Winner Match 4
36 Winner Match 7 V Winner Match 8
NB 8PM
53 Winner Match 41 V Winner Match 42
55 Winner Match 45 V Winner Match 46
49 Winner Match 33 V Winner Match 34
50 Winner Match 35 V Winner Match 36
DAY 3 Time Thursday 22nd
Match
9am SS1 Gary Filtness V Darren Morgan
SS2 Richard Wykes V Karl Townsend
SS3 Ray Grall V Les Dodd
SS4 Andy Milliard V Mike Lucas
SS5 Chris Cookson V Stuart Almond
SS6 Richard Emery V John Hunter
SS7 Dennis Tristram V John Welsh
SS8 Mukesh Parmar V David Brock
11AM
57 Winner Match 49 V Winner Match 50
58 Winner Match 51 V Winner Match 52
59 Winner Match 53 V Winner Match 54
60 Winner Match 55 V Winner Match 56
NB 1.30
SS9 Winner Match SS1 V Winner Match SS2
SS10 Winner Match SS3 V Winner Match SS4
SS11 Winner Match SS5 V Winner Match SS6
SS12 Winner Match SS7 V Winner Match SS8
NB 3PM
SS13 Winner Match SS9 V Winner Match SS10
SS14 Winner Match ss11 V Winner Match ss12
NB 4PM
61 Winner Match 57 V Winner Match 58
62 Winner Match 59 V Winner Match 60
NB 5PM
SS15 Winner Match SS13 V Winner Match SS14
EVENT 2 AND SUPER SENIORS 2 TIME Friday 23rd
9am Match Pre-Lims
PL1 Garry Coulson v Minesh Doshi
PL2 Chris Taylor v Andy Battams
10am
1 Patrick Wallace V Keith Thomas
2 Kevin Palmer V Nigel Philips
3 Johnathan Bagley V Simon Chandler
4 Richard Emery V Sean Vaz
5 Jamie Brown V Alfie Burden
6 Karl Townsend V Danny Crawford
NB 11.30am
7 Patsy Fagan V David McDonnell
8 Steve Bird V Peter O’Malley
NB1.30pm
9 Stuart Watson V Dennis Tristram
10 Andrew Greaves V Winner oF PL1
11 Gary Filtness V David Brock
12 Rhydian Richards V Ian Whiting
13 Wayne Townsend V Igor Figueiredo
14 Dharminder Lilly V Dean Reynolds
15 Darren Morgan V Luke Simmonds
16 Gerard Greene V Winner of PL2
NB 3.30pm
33 Winner Match 1 V Winner Match 2
34 Winner Match 3 V Winner Match 4
35 Winner Match 5 V Winner Match 5
36 Winner Match 7 V Winner Match 8
NB 5PM Match
37 Winner Match 9 V Winner Match 10
38 Winner Match 11 V Winner Match 12
39 Winner Match 13 V Winner Match 14
40 Winner Match 15 V Winner Match 16
NB 7.00PM
49 Winner Match 33 V Winner Match 34
50 Winner Match 35 V Winner Match 36
51 Winner Match 37 V Winner Match 38
52 Winner Match 39 V Winner Match 40
DAY 2 TIME Saturday 24th
9am Match Pre-Lims
PL3 Tam Mustafa v James Burrett
PL4 Lee Cromie V Tony Corrigan
10am
17 Aaron Canavan V Gary Widdecombe
18 Mark Ganderton V Colin Bark
19 John Hunter V Stuart Reardon
20 Leo Fernandez V Les Dodd
21 Peter Lines V John Palmer
22 Lee Richardson V Adrian Morrissey
NB 12 noon
23 Rory McLeod V Chris Cookson
24 Rod Lawler V Winner of PL3
NB1pm
25 Tony Knowles V Richard Wykes
26 Neil Craycraft V Tony Chappel
27 Matt Ford V Winner of PL4
28 Steve Crowley V Shaf Hussain
29 Lee Walker V Andy Milliard
30 Lee Martin V John Welsh
NB 2.30PM
31 Adam Denham V Gareth Edwards
32 Wayne Cooper V Ray Grall
NB 4.30
41 Winner of Match 17 Winner of Match 18
42 Winner of Match 19 Winner of Match 20
43 Winner of Match 21 Winner of Match 22
44 Winner of Match 23 Winner of Match 24
NB 6PM
45 Winner of Match 25 Winner of Match 26
46 Winner of Match 27 Winner of Match 28
47 Winner of Match 29 Winner of Match 30
48 Winner of Match 31 Winner of Match 32
NB 8PM
53 Winner of Match 41 Winner of Match 42
54 Winner of Match 43 Winner of Match 44
55 Winner of Match 45 Winner of Match 46
56 Winner of Match 47 Winner of Match 48
DAY 3 Time Sunday 25th
Match
9am SS1 Gary Filtness V Andrew Darken
SS2 Richard Wykes V Keith Thomas
SS3 Richard Emery V Les Dodd
SS4 Ray Grall V Karl Townsend
SS5 Andy Milliard V John Hunter
SS6 Patsy Fagan V John Welsh
SS7 Dennis Tristram V David Brock
SS8 Ashley Beal V Darren Morgan
11AM
57 Winner Match 49 V Winner Match 50
58 Winner Match 51 V Winner Match 52
59 Winner Match 53 V Winner Match 54
60 Winner Match 55 V Winner Match 56
NB 1.30
SS9 Winner Match SS1 V Winner Match SS2
SS10 Winner Match SS3 V Winner Match SS4
SS11 Winner Match SS5 V Winner Match SS6
SS12 Winner Match SS7 V Winner Match SS8
NB 3PM
SS13 Winner Match SS9 V Winner Match SS10
SS14 Winner Match SS11 V Winner Match SS12
NB 4PM
61 Winner Match 57 V Winner Match 58
62 Winner Match 59 V Winner Match 60
NB 5PM
SS15 Winner Match SS13 V Winner Match SS14
The Lord Mayor of Hull and the World Seniors Tour are teaming to help ageing persons who suffer from isolation and loneliness. Isolation is an important issue and now more relevant than ever as the covid-19 crisis and the lockdowns have certainly exacerbated the issues.
50 For Fifty Scheme encourages businesses to help socially isolated residents attend Seniors Snooker tournament
The UK Seniors Snooker Championship returns to the Bonus Arena, Hull in August and together with the Lord Mayor and World Seniors Snooker they are launching a new initiative called 50 FOR FIFTY.
The initiative is designed to assist the ageing population of the City currently living in isolation, residential care or suffering from any Mental Health issues.
The event will feature icons of the sport including Jimmy White, Stephen Hendry, Dennis Taylor, John Parrott and Ken Doherty and the scheme gives the opportunity to use these Snooker greats to enhance the life of those people over 50 who for one of many reasons may now find themselves lonely and missing the interaction of others.
Businesses in the city can be part of the scheme by purchasing 50 discounted tickets for the event which will go directly to local organisations to distribute to residents affected who can attend the tournament and watch their heroes live in action.
The Bonus Arena – the host venue for the tournament in August – is the first company to sign up to the scheme and will donate 50 tickets for the first session on 12 August.
Promoter Jason Francis said: “Our research shows that loneliness is likely to increase your risk of death by 29%, and half a million older people go at least five or six days a week without seeing or speaking to anyone at all.
“By partnering with the Lord Mayor and Hull City Council we want to reach out to businesses in the city and work with them to bring in 50 people for a day out at the snooker where they can meet our stars but more importantly each other. These businesses will join our heroes wall and receive promotion of their company and their involvement in the scheme during the tournament which will be broadcast live on television.”
Lord Mayor, Councillor Lynn Petrini said: “It’s great to see live sports like this brought to the city and hosted at Hull’s Bonus Arena. The event has proved to be very popular in Hull, and this new scheme offers a fantastic opportunity for people who are currently vulnerable or living in isolation to see live competition. I would encourage any local business to get involved if they can and play their part.”
Dan Harris said: “The UK Seniors Snooker is one of my favourite events in the diary and it really is a wonderful experience to see real sporting icons here in Hull.
“The 50 For Fifty scheme will give residents of Hull the opportunity to see these legends in the flesh and we look forward to engaging with local businesses who wish to join us in supporting this fantastic initiative.”
The event plays from the 12-15 August with two sessions a day. Any companies who wish to take part in the 50 FOR FIFTY scheme can contact the Bonus Arena team by email at hull@eu.asmglobal.com
Hopefully, this will be a success and many local businesses will respond and participate massively. It’s a great initiative, it’s particularly relevant under the current circumstances, and it projects a very positive image of the city of Hull, it’s people and it’s entrepreneurs.
It may be just a ticket, just a day out, but it may well change someone’s life, maybe even save it … just because it got them out of the house, offered them a good day out, because they got to meet others, had a cup of tea and a conversation, shared an interest, felt accepted and valued.
Sometimes the smallest and simplest things have a huge impact.
We are over the moon to confirm the UK Seniors Snooker Championship will be the first event at the Bonus Arena, #Hull in 17 months when it takes place between 12 &
Dates
Event 1 Tuesday 20th July to Thursday 22nd July 2021
Event 2 Friday 23rd July to Sunday 25th July 2021
Venue The Crucible Sports and Social Club, Reading, RG1 8EQ Crucible Sports & Social Club Reading
Entry Fee £100 payable by online entry system for each event.
Will include your 2021/22 Tour registration.
Number of Frames All matches to Quarter Finals Best of 5
Knockout, Roll on Roll off format.
Quarter Finals onwards Best of 7 Knockout.
Prize money
The two qualifiers each event will progress to the UK Seniors Championship which will be played from the 12th – 15th August 2021 at the Bonus Arena Hull.
They will be on a minimum £1000 prize money for that event.
Losing Semi-finalists in each event £400
Losing Quarter Finalists in each event £150
Players 128 places open for entry in this order
1, Current WST Tour players over 40 ranked 65-128 who have not already qualified for the final stages.
2, Current WSS tour players who entered qualifying School 1 or 2 in January or March 2022
3, WSS Ranked Tour Players
4, New tour players.
All must be over 40 on or before 20th July 2021
Draw To be conducted no later than 16th July 2021
Seeding Based on 128 entries.
The top 32 players who enter from the official WSS Ranking list will be seeded into position. Should the event not achieve 128 entries the higher ranked seeds will be placed automatically into the last 64 round and receive a bye in the last 128 round of matches.
Players
Players will need to agree to the terms and condition on entry.
Dress Code
Full match attire with a bow tie or lounge tie. Collared shirt, tailored trousers with shoes.
Broadcasting Match table may be streamed live on the World Seniors Facebook page
COVID The plan is to run the event without the requirement for COVID Testing. Should by the time of the event Government determine testing should be required this will be provided at no cost to the player. Players will be required to adhere to any venue policies in place at the time.
The decision to delay the event was made so that the event can be run “covid restrictions and testing free”. Hopefully this will possible.
There will be a Super Seniors event going on as well but the entries for this one are already closed.
The 2021 Q-School finished last Sunday and it’s time to take stock of what happened over the 18 days of competion at the EIS. There were certainly plenty of positives for the Seniors players.
Four of the Seniors players who competed in WSS events over the last months managed to regain their professional status: Mick Judge, the reigning WSS UK Champion, Barry Pinches, Peter Lines and Alfie Burden. Alfie had lost his professional status at the end of the 2019/20 season and, at the time, his mindset was that he was finished with snooker and was to put his cue away for good. However, after a few months, he decided to to give the Seniors Q-School a go and he enjoyed playing and competing again. Fast forward and after success in the Professional Q-Scholl event, he’s back on the main tour.
Tony Knowles, aged 65, also entered the Q-School. He didn’t qualify for the main tour, but he certainly showed that he still can play! He finished ranked 46th out of 184 in the Order of Merit, having won five matches in the process. David Lilley, the reigning WSS World Champion, also did well at the Q-School: he did not qualify either but finished 8th in the Order of Merit. This means that he has a good chance to be invited to play in many of the Main Tour events this season.
Another Senior – Super Senior actually – made it into the WST News. Indeed Gary Filtness was credited by Stuart Bingham for a return to form and confidence that lead to a great semi-final run at the Crucible last April. Here is what Stuart had to say:
“Over the last year I’ve been working with my new coach Gary Filtness and I’m now seeing the benefits. Getting back in that environment and only being beaten by the odd frame makes me definitely think I can win the World Championship again. I have that belief now. Looking forward to next season I know what I have to do. I’m trying to get myself a little bit fitter. I’m playing lots of golf and watching what I eat at the moment. I’m looking for a season where I win a tournament or two.
World Seniors champion David Lilley has set his sights on making it through Q School and proving that he belongs on the World Snooker Tour, after a demoralising two-year spell on the circuit.
Lilley turned pro for the first time in 2019 at the age of 43. His first few months on tour were ruined by a shoulder injury, and he was eventually relegated at the end of the 2020/21 season. But an “overwhelming” triumph at the World Seniors earlier this month has given Lilley the motivation to make a fresh start.
The 45-year-old from Tyne & Wear worked as an insurance claims controller, playing snooker on the amateur circuit, before deciding to make the leap to the pro game after qualifying through Q School two years ago.
“In my first season on tour I started getting pain in my shoulder,” he said. “It would only come on certain shots and I would get a shooting pain through my neck. Then I was quitting on those shots to avoid the pain. I spent fortunes with physiotherapists and chiropractors trying to solve the problem but nothing worked. That led to anxiety. Mentally I was gone, ruined. I would go into matches very apprehensive, then get embarrassed when I played badly.
“The first lockdown was a blessing because I stopped playing snooker, and with rest my shoulder got better. I think it was a repetitive strain injury as I had gone from playing eight hours a week to eight hours a day. Luckily it doesn’t bother me any more.”
Lilley won just five matches in his first season on tour, and though he improved in his second year – notably beating Shaun Murphy on his way to the last 32 of the English Open – it was not enough to keep his card.
“It was only when I got to the final weekend of the seniors event that I decided to enter Q School again and try to get my place back,” he said. “I feel I have unfinished business. I know how well I can play, but I can count the number of times I have done that on the tour on the fingers of one hand. I called my wife and she agreed, she said I need to get it out of my system. I am fully focussed on Q School now, hopefully I can get through and give it a proper two years on the tour, injury free.”
Lilley earned a place in the Seniors event by coming through the qualifying rounds. “I arrived at the Crucible with no expectations and no targets other than to play well,” he reflects. “I found the television lights hard to adjust to at first, then started to get on a roll. It all just came out of the blue.”
After knocking out Philip Williams, Ken Doherty and Patrick Wallace to reach the final, Lilley scored a 5-3 victory over Jimmy White, sealing the £15,000 top prize with a break of 69.
“It was a massive high, overwhelming,” he said. “The most pleasing thing was to finish the match in one visit rather than crawling over the line. The money is nice, but I’m just glad to have showed what I can do when it mattered.”
Lilley’s one regret was that he wasn’t able to share his triumph with a man who had a huge influence on his career. Stan Chambers was a widely respected coach in the North East, having helped countless juniors learn the game over more than 50 years. He sadly passed away earlier this month.
“When I started playing, my dad was tough on me, he would shout at me if I missed an easy ball. Stan was the one who would stick up for me. And he was my coach for many years,” recalls Lilley. “He was always the main man around the North East and he will be massively missed. I was at his funeral on Thursday and it was great to see so many faces there, old and new.”
The WPBSA World Seniors Tour 