‘Paul was fun’ – Remembering snooker’s lost great 20 years on

Paul Hunter had no desire to play snooker.

A sporting bug, caught at the age of three with the help of a tiny snooker set on his parents ‘ coffee table in their Leeds home, would culminate in a professional career that saw him win six major trophies in six years.

The dearly beloved Hunter passed away from cancer just days shy of his 28th birthday this year.

“We’d never have known in a billion years Paul would become a professional snooker player”, Hunter’s mum Kristina says.

He simply loved it, though.

He claims that “he never stopped.” After school, he would play every night.

After successfully badgering his dad to take him to a local club to play on full-size tables at the age of eight, the young Hunter made the leap from table top snooker with aplomb.

David Lamb, who witnessed the young Hunter play both in Yeadon and the nearby Guiseley Conservative Club, recalls that “he used to have to stand on a box and use the rest most of the time.”

“He showed what can be achieved if you work hard at it, because snooker is hard work. Just to get your cue straight, it takes hours and hours of practice.

Michael Spence, a friend of Lamb, claims that he was “unbelievable” when he first saw the adolescent Hunter play at Guiseley.

“I used to watch him practising, often with his best pal Matthew Stevens”, he says.

With his parents ‘ pleas to do his homework increasingly falling on deaf ears as practice took priority, Alan and Kristina took the “gamble” of taking Hunter out of school at the age of 14 to fully concentrate on carving out a career in the game.

It was well-paid in large part. Their still-adolescent son, who was only five years old, had already won the 1998 Welsh Open, his first ranking title. A year later, he entered the world’s top 16, qualifying to play in the prestigious Masters event as a result.

Despite his success on the table, Hunter’s down-to-earth charisma never wavered in the wilderness. Several of those interviewed recall a “cheeky” sense of humour and a man who was always gracious in defeat.

According to Alan, “He had a great temperament, did Paul.” He “got along with everyone,” he said.

” One of the referees once told me Paul was the only player who said ‘ please ‘ when he asked for the rest. And he would say “thank you,” when he returned it.

You’d like him if you met him, Kirstena says. Paul was fun. He would make you feel at ease.

With his easy charm, boyish good looks and honest interview style, not to mention his considerable talent, Hunter quickly became snooker’s poster boy for the new 21st Century.

So why was he given the nickname “The Beckham of the Baize”?

He once entered his grandma and grandad’s home, and his grandma said, “Ooh, Beckham of the Baize,” according to Kristina. Paul looked at her and went “No, I’m ‘ Paul'”.

In 2005, a year that should marked the peak of his powers, Hunter was diagnosed with cancer and would later undergo chemotherapy.

The man’s extraordinary willingness to follow through on commitments to exhibitions, events, and press interviews all while receiving treatment is demonstrated by numerous anecdotes from the snooker scene.

He made his own appointments at St. James’ Hospital in the Bexley Wing of the Leeds Cancer Centre using the money he donated to buy soft play toys for children.

According to Kristina, “he had a 80% chance of living.” “The odds were quite good. It was unsuccessful.

It’s awful, I say. I wouldn’t wish any mum and dad to lose a child.

“I believe that the players all believed he would be fine and would return.” They will have experienced shock.”

At their son’s funeral, at Leeds Parish Church, Alan recalls people “queuing opposite the church” and lining the road beyond.

He claims, “We didn’t anticipate the turnout.” In Leeds, they adored him.

It’s difficult to imagine that many other snooker players, either past or present, have a reputation for being a royal snooker player.

However, snooker halls and clubs all over the UK would reflect Hunter’s true legacy rather than palaces and castles.

The Paul Hunter Foundation, set up before his death with the help of wife Lindsey and late manager Brandon Parker, would provide free snooker sessions to children all over the country.

Many of the sessions, which focused on etiquette and conduct as well as table skills, were led by Chris Lovell, who is the head of the World Pool, Billiards and Snooker Association’s (WPBSA’s) head of coaching and training development manager.

“The idea was for a platform to help get kids off the street”, Mr Lovell says.

Snooker has always been a game that “got out there,” respected its fans, and embraced grassroots principles. Because we were doing it in Paul’s memory, we were able to accomplish things that we might not otherwise have been able to.

” It was such an honour and you feel very humble about it. “

The Foundation would assist in the development of a massive WPBSA coaching program, which has provided children from all over the world with play opportunities for the past 15 years.

According to the organization, disabled snooker and the women’s game are two of the areas where the sport has benefited the most.

” Paul would have loved what we’ve done with the sport and where it is today, “WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson says.

There were no more than six, seven, or eight events per year when he was playing. There are now 20 events taking place worldwide. He would have embraced this so much. “

Kristina and Alan can stay “close to him” by sharing classic footage of their son’s YouTube matches.

” I can bring it up and I can watch Paul anytime, “Kristina says”. It is amazing!

He appears to be moving and walking.

” Some people don’t want to talk]when they’re grieving], but we don’t mind talking about Paul. I’d prefer someone to talk than to not mention him at all, even though it would cause tears.

You simply take each day as it comes, Paul’s sister Leanne, and our grandchildren. I can’t believe it’s been nearly 20 years”.

Although he never won the World Championship, the highly probable notion that Hunter would have gone on to lift snooker’s greatest prize in Sheffield is etched into the sport’s folklore.

Later this month, The Masters, the contest he is most associated with, will take place at Alexandra Palace in north London. The Paul Hunter Trophy will be presented to the winner.