SAGA INSURANCE SIGN UNTIL 2009 12 Oct 2006 09:57:00
Following its successful sponsorship of the 2006 Masters, SAGA Insurance has decided to expand its involvement in snooker by sponsoring the famous invitation event for a further three years.
World Snooker is also delighted to announce that the 2007 SAGA Insurance Masters (January 14-21) will be staged at Wembley Arena. The event’s 26-year run at Wembley Conference Centre came to an end last season.
Jimmy White and Ding Junhui have both been awarded wild card entries to the 2007 tournament.
SAGA Insurance is part of the Saga Group, which is the UK’s leading provider of products and services specifically designed for people aged 50 and over. With over 2 million customers Saga provides insurance, financial services and holidays and publishes the award winning Saga Magazine.
The new three-year agreement, worth a seven-figure sum, was, brokered by sports marketing giant IMG, which is retained by World Snooker to sell the commercial rights for snooker’s four major BBC events.
With a history dating back to 1975, the SAGA Insurance Masters is an immensely popular event for snooker’s players and fans and receives extensive coverage from BBC Sport. John Higgins won the 2006 event when he beat Ronnie O’Sullivan 10-9 in a dramatic final.
World Snooker Chairman Sir Rodney Walker said: “We are very pleased to be extending our relationship with Saga. The Masters is a fantastic event and last year’s final was one of the most enthralling contests I have seen in snooker. Saga’s decision to renew their sponsorship underlines their satisfaction with the exposure they received.
“We now have major title sponsors for three of our four BBC events. This is a strong position and one which we continue to strive to improve.”
Andrew Goodsell, Chief Executive, Saga said: “The SAGA Insurance Masters attracts millions of viewers on BBC Sport and our sponsorship enables us to raise awareness of how people over 50 can make a significant saving on their insurance by choosing Saga.
“Last year’s tournament was a thrilling event and we look forward to more snooker of the highest calibre and to building on our good relationship with World Snooker.”
The Masters lost its traditional home at Wembley Conference Centre last year as the venue was knocked down, but the event now makes the short journey to Wembley Arena.
The Arena has recently completed a £35million refurbishment and is sure to provide a superb setting for one of the highlights of the sporting calendar.
Peter Tudor, the Arena’s General Manager, said: "It's very exciting for Wembley Arena to be staging a major snooker tournament for the first time. The Masters is a superb event and we are delighted that it is staying in Wembley. We're sure that the special atmosphere of the Masters will find a fitting home in the newly refurbished Arena."
For the first time, three wild cards will be awarded for the event rather than the usual two.
Whirlwind White retains a vast popular appeal and attracts huge crowds at Wembley year after year.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be awarded a wild card,” said 1984 Masters champion White. “It’s my favourite event other than the World Championship. I’m sure I’ll get great support again at Wembley, my fans there are fantastic.”
Ding, the 19-year-old Chinese prodigy, was considered to have an equally strong case having won the China Open, UK Championship and Northern Ireland Trophy within the past 20 months.
"This will be my third appearance in the Masters and it's such a great event to play in,” said Ding. “There's a unique atmosphere and there's so much history to the tournament. I am always confident of rising to the big occasion so I hope I can achieve success this time."
The final wild card will be awarded to the winner of a qualifying tournament, to be staged from November 4 to 9, giving all other players on the professional Tour the opportunity to earn a place at Wembley.
The world’s top 16 players qualify automatically, including the likes of Higgins, O’Sullivan, Stephen Hendry, Ken Doherty, Steve Davis and World Champion Graeme Dott.
The ticket box office for the SAGA Insurance Masters will be opened on October 30 Worlsnooker(c)
Riba
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Отправлено: 12.10.06 20:34. Заголовок: Re:
Parish church farewell for snooker star By DEBBIE LEIGH The funeral of snooker star Paul Hunter will take place at Leeds Parish Church a week today at 2pm.
Leeds Parish Church
His coffin will lie at the church's Lady Chapel from Tuesday at 9.30pm and a book of condolence will be opened for mourners to pay their personal respects to the talented player dubbed the Beckham of the Baize. Paul, who lived in Upper Batley, died at a Huddersfield hospice on Monday night – just days before his 28th birthday – after battling a rare form of intestinal cancer for the past 18 months. Despite enduring months of chemotherapy he continued to play professionally and threw himself into fundraising, helping to launch a charity for research into the disease. His death has sparked a flood of glowing tributes and messages of sympathy for his wife Lindsey and 10-month-old daughter Evie, revealing the high esteem in which he was held across the world. Thanks Paul Hunter
Lindsey, who was at Paul's bedside when he died, has thanked people for their support. The 31-year-old said: "I would very much like to express my heartfelt thanks to all our family, friends, Paul's fellow professionals, fans, and the media for their incredible support since we lost Paul. "It is an enormous source of comfort to me, and further evidence to that Paul was a very, very special person indeed. He was also the absolute love of my life, a totally devoted father to our beautiful daughter Evie, and he will always mean everything to us. "I hope you will understand that I do not wish to say anymore until after his funeral has taken place, and I kindly request you allow us to grieve in peace and privacy." A minute's silence was being held in Paul's memory before today's Betfred Premier League matches featuring Ken Doherty, Ding Junhui, Ronnie O'Sullivan and Jimmy White at Preston's Guild Hall. Paul injected youthful passion and a touch of glamour into the world of snooker after turning professional at 16. He won the Masters three times and was tipped as a future world champion. Determined But he was diagnosed with dozens of neuro-endocrine tumours in the lining of his stomach in March 2005 and although he was determined to keep playing he won only one match last season and fell from fifth to 34th in the rankings. His manager Brandon Parker said: "On Monday, the world lost a very special person, and I lost the closest of friends and working companions. He was a 'Champion of the World', and snooker will do well to recognise his talent and goals in driving the sport to new levels of competition in a fashionable sporting manner." To give to Paul's chosen charities send cheques payable to The NET Patient Foundation, or Kirkwood Hospice, to: Paul Hunter Snooker, c/o 13 Poolcroft, Sale, Cheshire, M33 2LF.
The NET Patient Foundation
shual007
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Paul Hunter
Clive Everton Wednesday October 11, 2006 The Guardian
The death of Paul Hunter at the age of 27, following an 18-month battle with cancer, robs the snooker world of a potential world champion and a sportsman unanimously popular with his peers. On television and in match arenas, his easy fluency, ponytailed blonde hair and striking good looks made him a great favourite. He accepted his triumphs modestly and his disappointments with exemplary grace. His finest hours were at Wembley, where he won three Masters titles in four years, all from losing positions. After trailing Fergal O'Brien 6-2 at the end of the afternoon session of the 2001 final, he made four centuries in six frames in the evening, prevailing 10-9. In his cheerful, unembarrassed way, he admitted that he and his future wife, Lyndsey, had made good use of his hotel room during the two-and-a-half-hour interval. "Let's just say I was a lot more relaxed for the afternoon session," he quipped in his victory conference. From being 5-0 adrift, Hunter beat Mark Williams 10-9 in the 2002 final, and transformed arrears of 7-2 against Ronnie O'Sullivan in 2004 into a dramatic 10-9 victory. His best run - and most galling defeat - in the world championship came at the Crucible theatre, Sheffield, in the 2003 semi-finals, when his 15-9 lead over Ken Doherty meant that he needed to win only two of the remaining session's nine frames to reach the final. Four agonisingly tense hours later, he walked out of the arena a stunned 17-16 loser, but still discharged his obligations in an immediate press conference with courtesy and dignity.
Hunter's consolation appeared to be that he would have many more attempts at the world title. But it was to transpire that only the following year, when he lost in the second round to Matthew Stevens, the closest of his friends on the tour, that he was in no condition to make a realistic challenge. Cancer was diagnosed just before he travelled to the China Open in 2005. None the less, he reached the quarter-finals and dealt patiently with queues of autograph and photograph seekers.
Hunter's plight had become known to all by the time, two weeks later, that he stepped on to the Crucible stage to a heartfelt ovation. He lost 10-8 to Michael Holt, and was to win only one match in the 2005-06 season as the side effects of his treatment drained his stamina.
In what was to prove his last visit to the Crucible last spring, he admitted: "I'm probably worse off than I was this time last year. The pain in my side is 24/7 now. I get stiff and light-headed. Obviously, I did not expect to win tournaments or anything like that but I had to try to tough it out."
His cheerfulness and positive attitude throughout his illness were remarkable, and the arrival of his daughter, Evie Rose, on Boxing Day last year, together with the steadfast support of Lyndsey and his family, at least provided comfort in his last months. His all too brief career earned him prize money of £1.53m, £15,000 of which he donated to help set up the Neuro-Endocrine Tumour Patient Foundation; a charity golf day in his name in August last year raised £80,000 for Leukaemia Research and St James's hospital, Leeds, where he was treated. Another event in his name last month raised £50,000.
The golden future so cruelly cut short seemed implicit from Hunter's earliest days in the game. He was only 13 when he became co-holder of the English Amateur Pairs title, and he was an outstanding English junior champion. At the 1996 Welsh Open, he became, at 17, the youngest ever semi-finalist in a world ranking event. Later that year, in the UK championship quarter-finals, Stephen Hendry trailed 5-3 before beating him 9-5, an encounter that prompted the seven times world champion to say: "He's got the game and he's got the bottle."
This conjunction of skill and match temperament gave Hunter the 1998 Welsh Open title, a success which temporarily derailed this otherwise ordinary fun-loving teenager from a Leeds estate, suddenly dazzled by recognition. "All I did was go drinking and clubbing," he was to recall. "I used to get stuck into the vodka big time. I'd go boozing the night before a match and yet I couldn't understand why I was losing."
It took him a season or so to realise how this excessive carousing was affecting him before he began to assemble a pattern of achievement which was to embrace not only his three Masters titles but first prizes in the 2002 Welsh and British Opens, two other ranking finals, 13 semis and 23 quarters.
· Paul Hunter, snooker player, born October 14 1978; died October 9 2006
Jimmy White says he is looking forward to an emotional Preston Guild Hall return. The Whirlwind warmed up for tonight's Betfred Premier League clash against Ronnie O'Sullivan at the Preston venue with a stunning 5-1 victory over Chinese sensation Ding Jun-Hui in the last round at Derby.
"It was my first win in the Premier League competition this season and it leaves me in tip-top shape for the Guild Hall," said White.
"I've always enjoyed playing at the Guild Hall, it is a special venue where I have enjoyed many happy times.
"The Preston audience are a great crowd and they are very knowledgeable about snooker.
"I've always felt at home in Preston, because the supporters are always very fair.
"I've certainly always had a warm welcome at the Guild Hall, so I'm really looking forward to playing at Preston again."
White had suffered a miserable week as he had failed to qualify for the televised stages of the Royal London Watches Grand Prix.
But the Whirlwind was smiling again as he claimed a convincing win against Jun-Hui to stay in contention for a top-four berth that would clinch a semi-final spot.
"I'm playing as well as ever in practice and I'm just trying to keep it going for Preston," added White.
"My games is there in exhibitions and practice but you have to bring it to the table.
"Playing Ronnie O'Sullivan is a great challenge for any player, but this competition is high on the agenda.
"The Premier League is a tournament you want to do well in and it is more prestigious than some of the ranking events because it is live on television.
"You're playing to packed audiences wherever you go and are up against the best players in the world."
In tonight's other clash, Scotland's Ken Doherty meets Ding Jun-Hui.
Meanwhile, Stephen Hendry has hailed Ronnie O'Sullivan as the man to beat in this year's Premier League.
O'Sullivan lost his world No.1 ranking to Hendry last year, but the Scot is impressed with that O'Sullivan – who locks horns with White tomorrow.
Hendry said: "The bookies don't usually get it wrong and they have made Ronnie favourite as he's won it the last two times.
"The shot clock suits him better than anybody else because he doesn't have to move from his natural speed of play, which all the other players have to adjust to, and he is definitely the man to beat again."
It promises to be a sensational double-header for snooker fans, with the Guild Hall staging the World Snooker Trickshot Championships tomorrow, with former champion, American Mike Massey, and fans' favourite Steve Davis the star turns.
Tickets for the Lancashire Evening Post-sponsored Guild Hall event are £15 on the door, and £12.50 for the Trickshot Championships. 12 October 2006
Hunter's humour was never far away By Robert Philip (Filed: 13/10/2006)
Paul Hunter went through his short life with a smile on his face; he was easy to find backstage at any snooker tournament, you simply followed the sound of laughter.
His death from cancer at the age of 27 has deprived the game of one of its greatest talents and robbed his wife Lindsey of a devoted husband, 10-month-old daughter Evie Rose of a seriously soppy dad, and his parents, Alan and Christina, of a loving son.
Dubbed the 'Beckham of the baize' due to his boyish good looks and variety of hairstyles, Paul was also blessed with a permanent twinkle in his eye, frequently attracting the twinkle in the eye of others.
The last time we met, Paul delighted in recounting the tale of a recent round of golf he had enjoyed while on holiday on the Algarve. He was accosted on the 10th tee by an American lady of a certain age. "Ooooh," she cooed, "you're that handsome young pool player."
"Well, I can't help how good looking I am, can I?" he grinned cheekily. "Ah, I'm only kidding. A lot of people ask me if I'm trying to copy David Beckham with the hairband or whatever. But I'm not copying him as such, I just happen to like his hairstyles and if they suit him, then they're definitely going to suit me. (This was followed, like so many of Paul's pronouncements, with a loud chortle).
"Anyway, I'd like to be remembered as one of the best snooker players of my era, not the best looking."
Paul Hunter will be remembered as one of the nicest young men from any walk of life.
shual007
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Snooker has lost a charming and funny competitor By Brendan Gallagher (Filed: 11/10/2006)
It is not just his family and snooker that will miss Paul Hunter. In an often grey sporting world of isotonic drinks, carefully crafted sound bites and dogged political correctness, he gloriously bucked the trend and made friends wherever he went.
Hunter was a popular figure on and away from sporting scene Never more so than three years ago, when the BBC resurrected Superstars and flew the great and good of British sport to La Manga. Olympic gold medallists, obscenely paid footballers and world champions jostled for the limelight and best one-liners, but it was Hunter who effortlessly stole the show with his self-deprecating sense of humour and innate sense of fun.
When he landed in Spain, frankly, most of his fellow competitors did not have a clue who Paul Hunter was and a few were a tad sniffy about having to compete with a lounge lizard snooker player who had seemingly arrived straight from Stringfellows nightclub.
Within minutes, however, Hunter, armed with nothing more than his personality and smile, had charmed them all and emerged as chairman of the entertainments committee and the willing butt of everybody's good-natured jokes, on account of his declared aversion to strenuous physical activity.
The sight of Hunter – wife to be Lindsey on one arm, a lager in the other hand and a fag dangling form his mouth, a la James Dean – warming up for his next event was one to savour and perhaps reminded one or two of the more ultra competitive souls how to enjoy themselves.
The more discerning will also have noticed that there was another Paul Hunter lurking just below the blond playboy image and having the time of his life. Though hardly built for mountain-biking, putting the shot or the 100m, he always finished what he started.
Despite the humiliation of trying to 'perform' in front of Britain's fittest athletes, he never gave up. Not once. And when it came to the golf, at which he was genuinely talented, he was positively narked after fluffiing his one chance to collect maximum points. Just for a second, the smile deserted him.
That doggedness, alas, was needed only too soon when, in April 2005, he was diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumours, an extremely rare cancer of the stomach. He fought tenaciously, but on Monday, aged 27, he lost that fight. He leaves Lindsey and their daughter, Evie Rose.
Jimmy White – so akin to Hunter, temperamentally, as well as being a close friend –summed it up best yesterday as he led the many tributes.
"I can't tell you how special he was," said White, who actually heard the news while playing an exhibition match to raise money for Hunter's cancer charity. "He was a credit to life. He will be in my heart for the rest of my life. It's a very, very sad day for snooker, and sport in general.
"He was a bit of a Jack the Lad but he was never nasty to anybody, arrogant or rude like some sports people He was a really, really nice kid with a lovely family.
"You couldn't intimidate him. Nothing could put him off. As soon as he got beaten, or he won, he was back to Paul Hunter and that is a very hard quality to have. He was a tiger on the snooker table but you couldn't have met a nicer fellow.
"It's so, so sad – I'm totally gutted. It's beyond human comprehension. I can't get my head round it."
Sanya
green mama
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Отправлено: 13.10.06 22:00. Заголовок: Re:
Пусть будет хорошая новость:
NEW ARRIVAL FOR THE PERRYS 13 Oct 2006 13:08:00
Former European Open finalist Joe Perry and his wife Joanne are celebrating the birth of their first child. A baby girl, named Lexie, was born earlier this week. She weighed in at 6lb 2oz. Joe and Joanne met in Chatteris in 2001 and married in July last year at Kimbolton Castle in Cambridgeshire.
Riba
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Откуда: Моя Родина - СССР
Отправлено: 15.10.06 20:54. Заголовок: Re:
Snooker: Matt told 'do it for Paul'Oct 15 2006
Peter Shuttleworth, Wales on Sunday
MATTHEW Stevens was last night urged to turn his grief into inspiration and win the Grand Prix for his best mate Paul Hunter.
Snooker pin-up Hunter lost his battle against cancer last week to send the sporting world into mourning - and Welshman Stevens is understandably struggling to come to terms with the death of his childhood pal.
But former world champion Terry Griffiths told Stevens to win his fifth major trophy at the Royal London Watches Grand Prix in Aberdeen in Hunter's memory.
Welsh snooker legend Griffiths said: "This happening to his best mate will put everything into perspective for Matthew.
"Something traumatic like this could either affect Matthew's game dramatically or inspire him to success in Paul's memory. Matthew has such talent, I wouldn't rule him out winning the Grand Prix for Paul."
Stevens described his relationship with three-times Masters champ Hunter as a "bond like brothers" since they became inseparable on snooker's junior tour when the now 29-year-old Welsh star was just 11.
The Carmarthen cueman was devastated when he heard his friend was diagnosed with a rare form of stomach cancer in March 2005 - and Stevens admitted earlier this year: "Paul has been so strong .
"It has been hard to watch my mate endure the pain of cancer, especially when I can't do anything about it."
Brandon Parker, manager to both players, admitted Stevens is "in bits" and the Welsh snooker star will be the front pallbearer on his friend's last journey at Hunter's funeral on Thursday.
Just two days later Stevens begins his Grand Prix challenge.
The world's best snooker player seeks to end his title famine in the Grand Prix which begins in Aberdeen on Saturday
STEPHEN HENDRY is still in pursuit of himself. There was a time when he arrived at a tournament and understood that he would play well on his way to the latter stages, by which time he would be reaching peak form. It became the routine by which his career was defined and he was ranked No1 in the world for eight consecutive years. Last May he regained the No1 place after an absence of eight years, but a part of his old self remains elusive; he has not won a tournament for almost two years. “In the 90s, when I was dominating, it just happened,” he says.
In those eight years Hendry’s lowest ranking was No6, an acute diminishment when you have looked down on the rest for so long. That he has climbed back to the top through the sheer consistency of his form, rather than knowing again the thrill of winning an event, says much about the way snooker has found a spread of talent to replace the ruling figures of the past: Ray Reardon, Steve Davis and Hendry. The Scot has won 36 ranking events, including seven world titles, but his last victory came in the Malta Cup in February 2005.
“The longer it goes, the harder it becomes,” he says. “You do lack that 5% of confidence because you haven’t won for a while and the only way to get that last 5% is by winning. But it’s just a matter of getting a run going. I’m playing steady without reaching the heights that I used to. I’d like to have got to No1 by winning more tournaments, but the numbers don’t lie.”
In this season’s first tournament, the Northern Ireland Trophy in August, Hendry lost in the second round but ahead of the Grand Prix event that begins in Aberdeen on Saturday, he believes his game is in sound shape and it is only his mental readiness that needs to be ensured. He is working with his coach Terry Griffiths, the former world champion, on such preparation.
“I’ve got to physically motivate myself for some matches to get the focus that you need to win,” he says. “Sometimes you get to a match, you expect so much and nothing happens, so you get frustrated and your form goes. It’s about mental preparation with Terry, not going in as deep as sports psychology but just getting motivated for each match.”
All the world’s top players will be participating in Aberdeen, the tournament beginning with a new round-robin format and best-of-five-frame matches. It is also the first major tournament since the recent death of Paul Hunter, the popular Englishman who had been suffering from neuroendocrine cancer, and the players are planning a tribute to their friend and colleague. “We’re all going to the funeral on Thursday,” adds Hendry quietly.
Hendry believes that snooker is in the early stages of a renaissance, with a seventh ranking tournament added to this year’s calendar and an eighth planned for next season, when China will host a second event along with the China Open. The growth of the game in the Far East has invigorated Hendry’s competitive instincts. In his mid-20s, he often said that he would retire at 30, but three years short of his 40th birthday he has encountered no desire to leave the game.
Sanya
green mama
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Отправлено: 16.10.06 12:14. Заголовок: Re:
Ding to give up matches for Asian Games (CRIENGlISH.com) Updated: 2006-10-16 08:47
Chinese snooker prodigy Ding Junhui may give up playing his final Premier League matches for the Asian Games, local media reported. Ding, who tops the Premier League standings, needs only one more victory to advance to the semi-finals of the tournament.
The 19-year-old will play his final Premier League match in England on December 3, if he beats all of his rivals en route to the last stage. However, this would clash with the schedule for the Asian Games, according to the Beijing-based newspaper, "The First".
The snooker doubles event for the Asian Games is slated to be held on December 4 in Doha, Qatar.
Even if he succeeds in entering the final stage of the Premier League, Ding will play the Asian Games instead of going for the League title, Ding's agent Zheng Meng was quoted as saying by the newspaper.
Last month, the Doha Asian Games changed the schedule for its snooker matches to avoid clashing with another snooker event, the UK Championship.
The snooker competition for the Asian Games will end on December 7 instead of December 11, allowing Ding Junhui to defend his UK Championship title from December 9.
Tribute to snooker ace By Dave Higgens THE widow of snooker star Paul Hunter left a moving tribute to him as he lay at rest in a church yesterday.
In a book of condolence, Lindsey Hunter wrote: "To Paul. You are my husband - forever. You are Evie's Daddy forever.
"You are our rock and will always be with us.
"You made us what we are as a family. All our hearts always. Love you forever. Your family, Lindsey and Evie Rose."
Three-time Masters champion Hunter died last week from cancer aged just 27.
Yesterday, Lindsey and 10-monthold Evie Rose joined other members of the family at Leeds Parish Church as Hunter's coffin arrived.
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A short church service was held before the family signed the condolence book and lit candles.
Hundreds are expected to attend Hunter's funeral on Thursday, including many of his fellow snooker professionals.
The coffin will lie in the Lady Chapel of the church for two days and the book of condolence is available for visitors to sign.
Riba
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Отправлено: 19.10.06 07:06. Заголовок: Re:
Snooker champ's wife says farewell to 'our rock' Family, friends and hundreds of fans prepare for funeral of Tyke snooker player killed by cancer Nishika Patel "Our rock" was how Paul Hunter's widow chose to remember her husband as his coffin was brought to Leeds Parish Church. Lindsey Hunter was the first to write a moving tribute to Paul in a book of condolence after his coffin was carried into the church's Lady Chapel yesterday. The snooker star, who died from cancer at just 27, will lie in the chapel until the funeral at 2pm tomorrow when six snooker players will carry the coffin. Mrs Hunter, who arrived at the church with their 10-month-old daughter Evie, wrote: "To Paul you are my husband forever, you are Evie's daddy forever, you are our rock and will always be with us. You made us what we are as a family. All our hearts always. Love you forever. Your family Lindsey and Evie Rose." Tearful relatives walked arm in arm behind the coffin as it was carried into the church and sprinkled with holy water. During a short service prayers were led by Canon Tony Bundock. Mrs Hunter broke down as she stepped forward to place two flowers on the coffin. His sister Leanne also fought back the tears as she placed a cross on top of a purple drape. Later Mrs Hunter lit a candle alongside nine others that were already burning. Members of the public were then allowed in to pay their respects and more than 200 people filed through the chapel during the day. Dozens of young men and young boys were among the visitors who all lit candles. One man brought in a snooker cue while others brought cards, flowers and snooker-related gifts. One fan wrote: "You would have been world champion." Hundreds of fans and friends are expected to attend the funeral and the book of condolence will be available for visitors to sign from 9.30am to 5pm today. Loudspeakers are being installed for those who cannot gain entry tomorrow and a screen may also be installed outside the church. The Yorkshireman died in a Huddersfield hospice last Monday after a 19-month battle with cancer. Despite chemotherapy, Mr Hunter continued to compete professionally but won only one match last season and fell from fifth to 34th in the rankings. The Snooker Writers' Association paid tribute to him yesterday by re-naming its Newcomer of the Year Award in his honour. He won it in 1998. Donations can be made to Mr Hunter's chosen charities – The NET Patient Foundation or Kirkwood Hospice, Huddersfield. nishika.patel@ypn.co.uk
Riba
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Отправлено: 19.10.06 07:22. Заголовок: Re:
Bond pays tribute to 'potential world champion' Hunter
NIGEL Bond will line up with the rest of snooker's elite for the Royal London Watches Grand Prix in Aberdeen this weekend just days after the sport lost one of its rising stars.
Today (Thursday) the funeral will take place in Leeds of the three-times Masters champion Paul Hunter, who died last Monday after losing his 18-month battle with cancer. Hunter was just 27 years old.
Bond, who will be at the funeral, said: "It's just a terrible loss, not just for snooker but obviously for his family and friends. It really is devastating for him to go at such a young age. He was three-times Masters champion and had got the world at his feet, and was a potential World Champion.
"He was happy-go-lucky and whether in defeat or victory he was still the same person. There was no chip on his shoulder or anything, he was just a really, really nice lad."
The Royal London Watches Grand Prix begins as a round robin tournament with groups of six players playing each other in best of five frames matches.
Bond, the world number 20 (provisional 23), has been drawn with former World champion and current provisional world number one Ken Doherty and Neil Robertson, who defeated Bond in the second round of the Northern Ireland Trophy in August.
Also in the group are Joe Swail, promising teenager Judd Trump and Paul Davison.
It's not a format that Bond has played before or one that many other players will be familiar with.
"TV just wanted a different format, so we'll see what happens," said Bond. "There'll be lots of matches, a lot of roll-on, roll-off. I think probably the players would have preferred a bit longer matches, but at the end of the day it's the same for everybody."
Bond begins with a match against Robertson on Saturday (11.45am) and is not deterred by the result in Ulster.
"It was a good game and I had my chances," said Bond. "But I played alright over there, there wasn't really too much wrong with my game. I've just got to keep it going and get a good run.
"I went to Northern Ireland having only prepared for three or four days because I had only been back from holiday that long. But for this one I've had longer to practice," he said,adding: "I feel as though I'm hitting the ball well."
Bond said his aim this season was to get back in the top 16 and, if he is not able to do that, to stay in the top 32.
Schedule. October 21: Bond v Robertson (11.45am), Bond v Doherty (3.30pm). October 22: Bond v Swail (8.30pm).
October 23: Bond v Trump/Davison (1.35pm), Bond v Davison/Trump (8.30pm).
Second round through to finals from October 25 to October 29. Coverage on BBC TV.
18 October 2006
Riba
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Отправлено: 19.10.06 07:23. Заголовок: Re:
Fans flock to pay respects to Paul
Nationwide tributes to 'inspiring' snooker star By Suzanne McTaggart And Peter Lazenby MOURNERS from across the country have been gathering to sign the book of remembrance for Leeds snooker star Paul Hunter. More than 250 people arrived at Leeds Parish Church to pay their respects to Paul, who died of cancer on Monday last week, by writing personal tributes, laying flowers, making donations and lighting candles in his memory. Some visitors had travelled from places as far afield as Aberdeen, Weymouth and North Wales to sign the book of remembrance, which simply states: In Loving Memory of Paul Alan Hunter. 14th October 1978 to 9th October 2006. One of the emotional tributes said: "I didn't know you that well and I'm going through a bad time in my life, but you've given me the courage to battle on. "I will use you as my inspiration in the days ahead, God bless, a topman and a gentleman. Mark." Heart Another entry read: "I played a match against you Paul and I remember you letting me play with your cue – may God take you to his heart warmly. RIP John McCabe." One entry said: "I will never forget what a true sportsman you were, a great snooker player, but an overwhelmingly endearing character. I hope that you've found somewhere better. Ed." As reported in the YEP yesterday, Paul's wife Lindsey was the first to write in the Book of Remembrance, which is available for signing until 5pm today. Present were Lindsey, Paul's parents Alan and Christine Hunter, Paul's sister Leanne, his cousins Nicola and Amanda Hunter, Lindsey's mother Pauline Fell and Lindsey's aunt Pauline Wade. A short service was led by the Rector of Leeds, the Rev Alan Bundock. After signing the book Lindsey placed a bible on top of her husband's coffin which lays in the Lady Chapel at the church. Later Lindsey lit a candle to her husband's memory, one of several burning in the Lady Chapel. Hundreds of fans and friends are expected to attend tomorrow's funeral, which will be held at Leeds Parish Church at 2pm. Members of the public are welcome to attend, though space is limited. Speakers are being installed outside the church to relay the service to any unable to gain entry. The family has named two charities for donations in Paul's memory: The Nets Patient Foundation and Kirkwood Hospice in Huddersfield, where he died. Paul, who lived in Upper Batley, died from the cancer neuro endocrine tumours or NETs. While being treated for the disease Paul helped set up the charity to raise funds for research. Donations can be made by making cheques payable to the NETs Patient Foundation or to Kirkwood Hospice, and sent to Paul Hunter Snooker, c/o Poolcroft, Sale, Cheshire, M33 2LF. To write a tribute to Paul Hunter visit www.leedstoday.net. suzanne.mctaggart@ypn.co.uk
Sanya
green mama
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Отправлено: 19.10.06 08:42. Заголовок: Re:
Snooker 'sombre' at Hunter loss
Defending champion John Higgins says it will be a "sombre event" when the Royal London Watches Grand Prix begins this weekend, following Paul Hunter's death. The season's first major tournament gets underway two days after Hunter's funeral, which takes place at Leeds Parish Church on Thursday at 1400 BST.
Hunter died at the age of 27 on 9 October after a battle with cancer.
Higgins said: "Everyone will be feeling the terrible loss and our thoughts are going to be with Paul and his family."
The Scot, 31, and many of his fellow professionals will be attending the funeral and he added: "The Grand Prix really is going to be a sombre tournament.
"Most of the players will be going to Paul's funeral before travelling up to Aberdeen on Friday.
"Paul was such a great battler and always had a smile on his face, even more so when he was telling everyone he was going to beat the cancer.
"It was the mark of the man because I don't think anybody else could have handled it the way he did and it is sad it has ended this way."
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Откуда: Россия, Белый город над белой Двиной
Отправлено: 19.10.06 16:19. Заголовок: Re:
Hundreds gather at Hunter funeral
Jimmy White and Ronnie O'Sullivan joined fellow players at the funeral Hundreds of mourners assembled in Leeds Parish Church and many more gathered outside for the funeral of snooker professional Paul Hunter. The three-times Masters champion died of cancer at Kirkwood Hospice, Huddersfield last Monday, aged 27.
Matthew Stevens, Hunter's closest friend on the circuit, was one of the pallbearers at the service.
Meanwhile, many of Hunter's fellow professionals were due to form a guard of honour for their friend's coffin.
Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry and six-time winner Steve Davis were joined by Jimmy White, Ken Doherty, Ryan Day, Dennis Taylor, John Parrott and Willie Thorne.
Hunter's grieving father Alan was due to give a tribute, as was Sir Rodney Walker, chairman of the game's governing body World Snooker.
Hunter's coffin has been inside the church for the past two days and thousands have signed a book of condolence started by his widow Lindsey and 10-month-old daughter Evie
rusel
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Отправлено: 19.10.06 16:25. Заголовок: Re:
*PRIVAT*
Sanya
green mama
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Откуда: Россия, Белый город над белой Двиной
Snooker: Bravery of Hunter offers inspiration to his followers By Kaveh Solhekol
Our correspondent reports from Leeds on the eve of the funeral of the popular young cueman who died from cancer
PAUL HUNTER did not want to be a star. Winning snooker matches was all he had on his mind when he turned professional at the age of 16 in 1995. His ambition, apart from living a long and happy life and seeing his daughter grow old, was to become the world champion. Cancer robbed him of the opportunity to fulfil his destiny last week when he was only 27, but anyone making their way to Leeds Parish Church yesterday — his funeral takes place today — expecting to witness a mawkish display of grief would have been disappointed.
For once, the queue outside the church at lunchtime was longer than the lines in the high-street banks dotted around the city centre. Office workers, grandmothers and grandfathers, young mothers pushing prams and children queued in the bright sunshine to pay their respects to one of Yorkshire’s favourite sons.
This is Leeds. United are one point off the foot of the Coca-Cola Championship and Leeds takes misfortune in its stride. Two books of remembrance on either side of a coffin. A bible, a picture of Hunter in his prime no bigger than an A4 piece of paper and 44 candles burning in a corner of the Lady Chapel.
“I didn’t know you that well and I’m going through a bad time in my life, but you have given me the courage to battle on. I will use you as my inspiration in the days ahead,” one message read.
One of Hunter’s uncles is in the queue, but he waits his turn and looks at the ground with his hands in his pockets. When someone dies, someone somewhere will remember them at least once a year, but Hunter’s family are spoilt for choice. They can remember him every year on his birthday, October 14, or on the day he died, October 9, but they can also remember him on the anniversaries of the days when his daughter was born or when he got married, or the three magical days when he defied the odds to win the Masters at Wembley in 2001, 2002 and 2004.
A mobile phone rings and breaks the silence. “You’re not the first and you won’t be the last,” a verger said. Tired feet shuffle forward while thoughts turn to the funeral this afternoon. Who is coming? Will we get in? Is the church big enough?
Hunter discovered he had cancer in April 2004, but said that he planned to be “tenacious and positive” in his fight against the disease. Despite being in severe pain after chemotherapy, he carried on playing until April this year.
He had lost some of the feeling in his hands and was too weak to practise, but he played through the pain in his first-round match in the World Championship at the Crucible before losing 10-5 to Neil Robertson. “There was no joy in it, for obvious reasons,” Robertson said.
Hunter’s brave performance that day is without equal. Courage and heroism are words that are used too often by sports pundits, but for once they are entirely appropriate. Would it not be fitting, in a year of high-profile sporting disappointments, if he were to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award posthumously?
Devotees pay their tributes to happy man who lived life to the full
Сообщение: 481
Откуда: Россия, Белый город над белой Двиной
Отправлено: 20.10.06 06:39. Заголовок: Re:
MIRROR
20 October 2006 A CHAMPIONS FAREWELL TEARS FOR PAUL HUNTER By Jan Disley IT was Jimmy White who broke down first.
As the coffin carrying Paul Hunter passed in front of him, The Whirlwind could not hold back the tears.
Beside him Ronnie O'Sullivan, his eyes red and raw, bowed his head.
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One by one, the greats of snooker said their final farewell to one of the sport's shining stars - taken from them at the absurdly young age of 27.
Willie Thorne dabbed at his eyes and Steve Davis stared solemnly as Paul's wooden casket was carried by six men wearing the snooker uniform of black suits and black bow ties.
Among the pallbearers was Paul's close friend and fellow professional, Matthew Stevens.
Paul's widow Lindsey followed the coffin into the church while their 10-month-old daughter Evie, dressed all in pink, was carried in a black baby seat by an undertaker. Up to a thousand family, friends and fans gathered at Leeds Parish Church yesterday to pay tribute to the man they called the "Beckham of the Baize."
The front pews were packed with all the biggest names in the sport - including Dennis Taylor, John Higgins, Graeme Dott, Joe Johnson, Stephen Hendry, Peter Ebdon, Ken Doherty, John Parrott and Shaun Murphy.
Snooker legend Alex "Hurricane" Higgins - who has fought a long battle with throat cancer - was also there to pay his respects.
Lindsey, 27, read a touching poem written in tribute to Paul, who died at a hospice near his home in Huddersfield, West Yorks, after a 19-month fight against cancer.
She read: "He played the game that he loved, he played with passion so rare, and all of the crowd that saw him were privileged because they were there.
"So if you stood at the great gates of heaven with one look that you would understand, for amongst a great host of angels would be one with a cue in his hand."
Outside the church, hundreds of men, women and children lined the streets to hear the service relayed on loud speakers. Afterwards, former world champion O'Sullivan had to be comforted as he collapsed in tears.
Willie Thorne said the presence of so many stars showed the love and respect that everyone in the sport had for Paul, who was three times Masters champion.
He said: "He's going to be so sadly missed. He was a great winner and a great loser. You admired him so much. Ninety-nine per cent of the players have come to pay their respects. It just shows what the world thought of Paul Hunter."
Balding Willie told how Paul never lost his sense of humour even in the midst of his cancer treatment. He added: "He used to say, 'I don't mind the chemotherapy as long as I don't end up looking like Willie Thorne'."
Dennis Taylor said: "Paul just stood out a mile. It's a dreadfully sad loss. He would certainly have been a world champion that's for sure."
Paul's cousin Tony Roberts also paid a touching tribute. He said: "Paul was a fighter through and through. He gave us everything, his generosity, his looks, his hairstyles - and, above all, his strength and determination."
During the service Sir Rodney Walker, World Snooker Chairman, described the star as "inspirational".
He said: "He had a calmness under intense pressure that separates the great from the good."
Sir Rodney said Paul's image was glamorous and his charisma and flamboyant approach made him one of snooker's biggest draws.
He added: "But there was not a pretentious bone in his body. He wanted to give something back to the fans who put him where he was."
j.disley@mirror.co.uk
shual007
Леди Йага
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Отправлено: 20.10.06 19:19. Заголовок: Re:
Stars farewell to Hunter Oct 20 2006 Western Mail
SNOOKER stars including Ronnie O'Sullivan, Steve Davis and Jimmy White joined relatives, friends and hundreds of members of the public yesterday for the funeral of Paul Hunter.
Queues began forming outside Leeds Parish Church up to two hours before the service for the 27-year-old rising star of the sport who lost his battle with cancer last week.
Other members of the public lined the street outside the church as snooker stars past and present joined the crowds waiting to go in.
Jimmy White was among the first of the players to arrive, with those following forming a roll-call of the famous names of the sport.
John Virgo, Willie Thorne and Steve Davis chatted with other mourners as Peter Ebdon, Ken Doherty and Shaun Murphy were among the many others who filed into the church. Ronnie O'Sullivan was one of the later players to arrive.
Outside the church, fans' favourite Willie Thorne said, "I'm deeply saddened. He was 27 years of age, having won three Masters titles. "He's just going to be so sadly missed. He had a great personality, so you never knew whether he had won or lost. "I admired the kid so much, he battled so very hard these last two or three years." Bald Thorne recalled how Hunter used to say he did not mind the chemotherapy "as long as I don't end up looking like Willie Thorne." Thorne went on, "It's been a very sad day. "I think 99% of the players around the world have come to pay their respects. It shows what the world thought about Paul Hunter."
Also speaking outside the church, former world champion Dennis Taylor said, "Paul just stood out a mile. "He was just so good for our game. "It's just a dreadfully sad loss. He would have certainly been a world champion, that's for sure." Taylor recalled a particular final clash between Hunter and Ronnie O'Sullivan, saying the two of them walked to the table like "two pop stars". "That was just great," he said.
Hunter, who was known as the "Beckham of the baize", leaves a widow, Lindsey, and 10-month-old daughter Evie. The three-times Masters champion died last week after an 18-month battle with dozens of neuro endocrine tumours on the lining of his stomach.
Mrs Hunter watched as the coffin was carried into the church by six pallbearers wearing the snooker player's "uniform" of a dark suit with a black bow tie.
One of the pallbearers was Hunter's friend and fellow professional, Matthew Stevens.
Mrs Hunter, 31, who was wearing a black dress, followed the coffin into the church as an undertaker carried sleeping baby Evie in a child's black car seat.
A Who's Who of world snooker, including Dennis Taylor, John Parrot and Steve Davis, sat shoulder to shoulder on the front bench inside a packed church. The church, which holds up to 1,000 people, was full to capacity, with a crowd of mourners standing at the back and up the stairs.
As the coffin was borne down the aisle, music from Rocky III, Going To Fly Now, was played through the speakers and many in the congregation began to weep.
Hunter's father, Alan, gave the first of four personal tributes, saying the massive turnout "would make our son Paul so proud" and showed "just how much our beautiful son was loved".
Mrs Hunter appeared composed as she read a poem, A Tribute To A Champion - Paul Hunter, by Don Clarke.
She read, "There's one bright star in the heavens tonight and oh how it shines for all to see, for this star is special, it has a smile and laughter for now it is free."
World Snooker chairman Sir Rodney Walker described Hunter's many qualities, saying he was a great sportsman who "never made excuses" in defeat. After the service the mourners left the church, many in tears. Snooker player Ronnie O'Sullivan was heaving with emotion, weeping and red-eyed, as he went outside.
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Откуда: Россия, Белый город над белой Двиной
Отправлено: 21.10.06 23:50. Заголовок: Re:
С сайта World Snooker Association
ROCKET FLYING - AND THAI TOO 21 Oct 2006 16:55:00
Ronnie O'Sullivan was fast out of the blocks in the Royal London Watches Grand Prix today - and his new practice partner Issara Kachaiwong surprised a former champion.
The Rocket cruised to a 3-1 defeat of veteran Steve Davis to win his opening match in the first ever Round Robin phase of a ranking event.
Davis won the first frame with a break of 61 then O’Sullivan hit back to level with 41 and 43. The world No 3 then went up a gear and rattled in 83 and 133 - the highest break of the event so far.
The Chigwell cueman is back on the table tomorrow at 1.35pm against Michael Holt.
Issara, a talented 23-year-old Thai who win the Asian Championship to qualify for the pro circuit for the first time, came from 2-0 down to beat 1997 Grand Prix champ Dominic Dale 3-2.
He trailed 50-1 in the third but battled back to win three frames on the bounce with a top run of 47.
Issara, pictured with O’Sullivan at the World Snooker Academy in Sheffield, won six of his seven matches in the qualifiers.
Defending champion John Higgins had no scares in his comfortable 3-0 victory over Thailand's James Wattana.
Breaks of 59, 72 and 94 were enough to see the world No 4 to victory.
"It's the best possible start," said Higgins, who beat O'Sullivan 9-2 in last year's final. "Over the best-of-five frames you'll always be on edge, but you've just got to go out there and play as if it's a normal match.
"I couldn't have asked for any more than the way I played today. It's cut-throat snooker."
Last year's World Champion Shaun Murphy slipped to a 3-0 defeat to Welshman Ryan Day in his opening match. Day had runs of 60, 77 and 66 to upset the Rotherham potter.
Glasgow's Alan McManus whitewashed Barry Hawkins, a 3-0 winner despite having only mustered a high break of 42.
Nigel Bond had plenty to smile about as he clinched a deciding frame victory over Australian hotshot Neil Robertson thanks to a match-winning 87 run.
Chinese teenager Liang Wenbo upset Dubliner Fergal O'Brien 3-1, pocketing breaks of 72 and 49.
Two-times world champion Mark Williams was beaten 3-0 by Basildon’s Stuart Bingham, his opponent knocking in breaks of 67, 54 and 50.
888.com World Champion Graeme Dott was off to a losing start, beaten 3-0 by Northern Ireland Trophy and UK champion Ding Junhui.
Sanya
green mama
Сообщение: 541
Откуда: Россия, Белый город над белой Двиной
Отправлено: 21.10.06 23:53. Заголовок: Re:
Оттуда же:
DOTT STAYS IN TOUCH 21 Oct 2006 21:40:00
Graeme Dott, the 888.com World Snooker Champion, kept his hopes alive in the Royal London Watches Grand Prix with a battling victory over Joe Perry.
After losing his opening match 3-0 to Ding Junhui, another defeat for Dott tonight would have left him on the brink of elimination in Aberdeen.
But the Glaswegian edged to a 3-2 victory over world No 18 Perry. He made breaks of 74 and 61 in the first four other frames but Perry won the other two.
Dott started the decider with a run of 58. His opponent battled on but relief came for the Scot when he potted the last red.
"After losing to Ding I knew I had to win my last four games," said Dott, who has generously waived his waistcoat logo fee to sport a Cancer Research UK patch, as a tribute to Paul Hunter.
"I know it’s conceivable that I could go through with three wins but I don’t want to rely on other results so I’ve set myself the target of winning every game.
"That’s going to be tough because I think I’m in the hardest group and the best-of-fives make it difficult. I’m playing well in patches but I’m playing too many careless shots and that will cost you in short matches."
World No 1 Stephen Hendry scraped through his opening match 3-2 against Mark Selby.
The Scot took the first with an 83, then the next two scrappy frames were shared. Selby levelled at 2-2 with a brilliant 139 total clearance.
Both players had chances in a fragmented deciding frame, but Hendry chipped away with 14 and 21 to take it 66-14.
Ryan Day kept his superb start to the event going with a 3-0 defeat of Ali Carter. The Welshman, who beat Shaun Murphy 3-0 earlier, blasted in 47, 40, 95 and 140.
Stuart Bingham set a new front-runner for the £4,000 high break prize with an excellent 141 against Stephen Lee. But he let slip a 42-0 lead in the last frame as Lee knocked in 21 and 38 to steal it 3-2.
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