The CueClub Podcast

On this episode of The CueClub Podcast I'm joined by 'The Pinner Potter' Martin Gould. I'm a big fan of Martin having watched most of his career to date and have always been impressed with not only his obvious snooker ability, but also his honesty and heart on the sleeve attitude. Martin is currently ranked 25 in the world and has had a very successful career, one which would see him rise to a career high world number 11. He lost out twice in claiming a world ranking event title, first in 2011 and then in 2015 before lifting the trophy at the 2016 German Masters. Join us as we discuss his 8-ball career, life choices, mental health and how he came back from being 1 frame away from falling off the tour. Martin currently works with Stephen Feeney at Sightright UK. https://sightrightcuesports.com/ He also mentioned Jason Cleemow as his Osteopath. www.clemowtherapies.com/ Martin is extremely approachable and is available for not only exhibitions but if there are any up and coming snooker players who are looking to practice, they can message him directly. Now you don't get an offer like that very often, do you?!

On this episode of The CueClub Podcast I'm delighted to be joined by the WPBSA Chairman Jason Ferguson. Alongside Barry Hearn's Matchroom Sport Limited, the WPBSA and the WST have taken the game to new heights by increasing the overall number of competitions, causing a huge increase in prize money and also to the popularity of snooker. Jason is not only the WPBSA Chairman but is also an ex professional snooker player who reached a career high of 28 in the world and ranked in the world's top 32 for 4 seasons. Join us as Jason talks about his own career, the difficulties the WPBSA and the WST have faced this last year and the endless possibilities for the future of the game we all know and love.

On this episode of The CueClub Podcast I'm delighted to be joined by cue sport legend Tony Southern. Tony is the World 8-Ball Wheelchair Champion and the current World Number 1 ranked wheelchair snooker player, winning World titles, European medals and over 20 National titles. He also runs the British Pool Federation and is Chairman of the British Wheelchair Pool Players Association. Tony has been involved in World Disability Billiards and Snooker, organises numerous pool events and is part of the famous Predator team. There is no doubting that he is an amazing ambassador for pool and snooker. Some of Tony's achievements include: 2019 and 2020 WDBS Belgian Open Champion 2019 WDBS UK Disability Snooker Champion 2018 Parris Cues Champion of Champions Winner 2017 BWPPA Tour Stop #1 Champion 2016 World Wheelchair Black Ball Doubles Championships Winner 2015 and 2016 European Championships 9-ball Runner-up 2015 BWPPA Stop #1 Champion 2015 BWPPA Stop #2 Champion 2013 and 2014 BWPPA Stop #1 Champion 2012 BWPPA Tour Stop #3 Champion 2012 BWPPA Tour Stop #2 Champion 2011 BWPPA Tour Stop #4 Champion 2007 and 2008 World Wheelchair 8-Ball Pool Champion 23 UK disabled Snooker titles 4 World Open Disabled Snooker Titles Highest ranked wheelchair player when on the GB9 Pro Tour The BWPPA are currently looking for new sponsors to join the list of pool industry greats which include Predator, Simonis and Kamui amongst many others. They are in particular looking for a trophy sponsor for when they return to action so If you are a company wishing to put your name alongside these amazing brands or know of any companies that would be interested in joining the elite list of BWPPA sponsors, please contact Tony at: tonysouthern@bwppa.com For Wheelchair Pool information please email: tonysouthern@bwppa.com www.bwppa.com Tony is also the world disability snooker players representative and available to answer any questions you may have - see www.wdbs.info for information and events or contact: tonysouthern@msn.com For American Pool enquiries for professionals and amateurs please email: britishpoolfederation@mail.com

On this episode of The CueClub Podcast I'm delighted to be joined by not only one of the most well known and respected pool players from this part of the country but also one of its most liked - Brian 'Buzzer' Halcrow. Brian has played pool all over the world reaching a career high of World Number 3. He has also been involved in numerous high-stake money matches against some of the greatest pool players on the planet. Join us as we discuss his career and what started Brian on his journey, what he believes is the future of pool, his favourite money matches and the talent found in the North East.

On this week's episode of The CueClub Podcast I'm delighted to be joined by Ireland's snooker sensation Aaron Hill. Aaron had an excellent amateur career capturing numerous titles including: 2019EBSA European Under-18 Snooker Champion. 2020EBSA European Under-18 Snooker Champion. 2020EBSA European Under-21 Snooker Champion. He was also the under-14 Irish National Champion and runner up at the 2018World Open Under-16 Snooker Championships. Beginning his pro career in 2020 at the start of lockdown must have been tough but he was able to show the world what he was capable of by beating newly crowned World Champion Ronnie O'Sullivan and 'The Welsh Dragon' Mathew Stevens at the European Masters in only his second professional tournament. Join us as we discuss his career so far, looking forward to the big crowds and not only becoming a professional but also turning 18 years old, all during lockdown....

On this week's episode of The CueClub Podcast I'm delighted to be joined by professional snooker referee Ben Williams. Ben is quickly becoming one of my favourite referees - not only for his skills when in charge of a game but also for his character during it. Snooker is a serious game after all so it's refreshing to see a referee that is willing to joke with the crowd and have a laugh with the players, all while keeping a very professional manner. Join us as Ben discusses the big change in his life that led him to become a snooker referee, the feeling of walking out at the crucible in Sheffield as a Yorkshireman, the joy of refereeing Stephen Hendry's comeback game and the few moments which prove why he would not win 'I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here'.

On this week's episode of The CueClub Podcast I'm delighted to be joined by professional snooker's Allan Taylor. 'The Albino Assassin' is one of the snooker tour's most likeable characters. As well as being a talented and fierce competitor on the table, he is also great fun off of it, having been involved in multiple videos on YouTube for World Snooker. Allan showed another side to his abilities when he was asked to take charge of the Master Of Ceremonies for the Home Nations and although it was something which he really enjoyed, his true passion is on the table. Join us as we discuss practicing snooker while working during lockdown, how he became the Master of Ceremonies and to hear Allan's famous Graeme Dott impression.

On this episode of The CueClub Podcast I'm joined by Craig Waddingham. This talented cueist is well known and respected in the pool world having won titles on the GB9 9-Ball circuit and making it to the final of the WEPF World Pool Championship Final in 2013 . Craig is also a huge money match player and has faced some of the world's finest in front of large crowds for over £30,000.00. Join us as he discusses what got him into cue sports, his favourite money match to date and how he deals with pressure.

On this episode of The CueClub Podcast I'm delighted to be joined by World Snooker's Joe Perry. The former world number 8 and 2015 Players Tour Champion is a well known and highly respected figure in the snooker world and someone I have followed throughout his very impressive playing career. Join us as he discusses what it takes to get to the top, the health battles that threatened to derail his career and the truth behind his 'The Gentleman' nickname.

On this episode I'm delighted to be joined by snooker's John Astley. I have known this Gateshead cueist and coach for a number of years and was really looking forward to having a chat with him and catching up. Join us as we discuss winning the national Under-19 title and making it to the quarter final of the Riga Masters, the difficulties adjusting from amateur to professional and how he met Angelina Jolie.

On this episode of The CueClub Podcast I am delighted to be joined by snooker's Chris Small. Chris was a standout junior prospect ranked number 1 in Scotland in the under 19 section despite only being 15 years of age. After turning professional he had immediate success winning the Benson and Hedges Championship and in 2002 he captured the LG Cup ranking event title. Chris Small's career looked on a high but behind the scenes he was fighting health battles that would ultimately cut short this incredibly talented player's career. Join us as we discuss the hard work he had to put in to get to the top, warped cues, what started his career and the health problems that affected it all.

On this episode of the CueClub Podcast I'm joined by professional snooker player Mark Joyce. Mark is a multiple amateur and pro-am Champion who has won the European Under-19 Championship, The English Open Title, English Amateur Championship, The Pink Ribbon and the Vienna Snooker Open Championship. As a professional on the main tour, Mark was a finalist at the 2019 Riga Masters. Join us as we discuss his playing career, being a Manchester Utd supporter and the difficulties of balancing practice around raising twin babies.

On this episode of the CueClub Podcast I'm delighted to be joined by an up-and-coming star in the snooker world - Leicester's Louis Heathcote. The former 8-Ball Junior European Champion and the European Under-21 Snooker Champion qualified from Q-School in 2019 after coming back from 0-3 down against Si Jiahui to win 4-3 and gain his tour card. An excellent start to his pro career, followed with wins over Ryan Day and Noppon Saengkham in the qualifying rounds of the Riga Masters and International Championship. Runs to the last 32 of the 2019 English Open and the final round of The World Championship Qualifiers saw him named 'Rookie of the Year'. Join us as we discuss joining the pro ranks, ending Ally Carter's 17 year run at the Crucible and how much he is currently missing a game of golf and a pint with the lads.

My guest joining me this week on the CueClub Podcast is Keighley's snooker star Rebecca Kenna. A snooker coach and the owner of @cuesportsyorkshire, Rebecca started playing on the women's snooker circuit in 2016 and reached the semi-finals of the World Championship at her very first attempt. A multiple ranking event finalist with victories over the biggest names on the tour have made her a fierce player which opponents would like to avoid. Join us as we discuss her reasons for joining the tour, her invitation to the upcoming Shootout Tournament and her decision to leave her local snooker league due to her gender.

This week's episode of the CueClub Podcast features snooker's former world number 8 and Irish Masters Champion Darren Morgan. Darren is a very well known figure on the snooker scene having turned pro in 1988, and through his pro career ( which he brought to a close in 2006 ) he was ranked inside the worlds top 16 for six years. Darren has gone on to win numerous titles around the world, competing in amateur and Pro/Am events including: World Amateur Championship European Snooker Open TCC Open Snooker Championship x2 IBSF World 6-Reds Snooker Championship x 2 European Amateur Championship - Masters x7 World Amateur Championship - Masters x5 Current Welsh Amateur Champion having won this event 3 times Nations Cup Winner Darren is still competing at a very high level and has just returned from the Rokit Seniors Q-School having qualified for the Masters against a very tough field. Join us as we discuss his playing career, in his won words whether he believes he reached his true potential and the surprise of winning the European Amateur Masters title without losing a frame.

On this episode I'm joined by Shaun 'The Magician' Murphy. The 2005 snooker world champion and current world number 7 is in Milton Keynes this week playing in the Masters, however he was generous enough to grant me a bit of his time for a chat. Shaun and Phil Seymour are currently competing against each other in #snookersbiggestloser - a challenge that will hopefully raise much needed funds for two amazing charities. Join us as we discuss his unbelievable clearance against Mark Williams on Monday, his #snookersbiggestloser preparation and how Phil Seymour may need to lose a limb to win the competition.

On this episode I'm joined by Master of Ceremonies Phil Seymour. Phil is quickly becoming one of the more popular faces of snooker with his behind the scenes videos, amazing introductions and post match interviews. He is also a very experienced stadium announcer and has worked on a variety of sports such as Fishing, Darts, Pool, Rugby, Wrestling and has announced world title boxing fights at Wembley Arena. Join us as we discuss his life behind the microphone, his love for sports and how Shaun Murphy has no chance of winning 'Snooker's Biggest Loser'

On this episode I'm joined by legendary snooker player Cliff Thorburn. One of the most recognizable names in the sport, Cliff has gained an international fan base due to the many things he has brought to the world of snooker. Join us as we discuss winning the world title in1980, his amazing maximum break in 1983 (which was the first 147 break ever made at the World Championships) and his rivalry with the late Alex Higgins.

On this episode I'm joined by German Snooker Professional Lukas Kleckers. Joining the pro ranks in 2017, he has made a dangerous name for himself after wins against Neil Robertson and more recently beating Mark Selby 4-0 at the Northern Ireland Open this year.

On this episode I'm joined by Paul Collier who is regarded as one of the finest referees to ever pull on the white gloves. Also a tournament director, he is instrumental in making sure the competitions are ran as safe as possible especially during these challenging times. Paul has not only been in charge of each of the snooker Triple Crown Events and two World Championship Finals, he was also the youngest referee at only 33 years of age to officiate the World Final in 2004 - a record that lasted until the 2020 World Championships. Join us as we discuss passing his refereeing exam at the age of 15, Covid-19 rules, and the refereeing mistake which resulted in a clip round the ear from Jimmy White.