Tweet
The man stood around the snooker table looking like he is stalking the players is not infact a waiter checking if Jimmy or The Rocket needs another bottle of water, he is infact the Referee, Eirian Williams is one of the senior referees that administer The World Championship and The Masters to name a few.
Welshman Eirian started refereeing in 1981 when he joined the amature circuit and yes if you are wondering he has not only refereed at Jesters but organised competitions here at the club too, hIs first final was at The Regal Welsh Open in 1988.
More information about Eirian can be found on his website
Eirian Williams
(Image courtesy of Eirian Williams) Q1. Have you a favourite players you like to ref?
A1. I think that if you ask a referee to give an honest answer to this they’d say someone to gets on with it. But there’s much to be said about the game as a whole. I’ve been involved in matches that have gone on and on but I have been so engrossed in the match that I just don’t know where the time has gone. So, with that said, I would probably opt for Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Williams and Matthew Stevens out of the top 16 but the standard of play of all the top guys is such that it’s a pleasure just to be involved with them. And when two of the players I’ve mentioned play each other, that’s a bonus.
Q2. Has the game of snooker improved for the better over the past 10 years?
A2. I think it’s improved immeasurably. The tables, with very few exceptions, are now pretty consistent which helps the players concentrate on the game instead of wondering how the balls are going to react off different cushions. I only wish the mystery of the kick” could be solved. The top players in the last 10 years have played to such a high standard that the up-and-coming guys have to be that much better in order to play catch-up.
Q3. What is your highest break?
A3. 49, achieved in the Conservative Club in Llanelli.
Q4. What do you do in your spare time when you are not refereeing?
A4. I surf the internet, and always have a look in ebay for interesting sport related items. There’s a lot of DIY work to be done in the house I share with my wife along with quite a large garden which needs a lot of maintenance so I really love the sun coming out so that I can get out there and get some fresh air.
Q5. What did you think of Sky Sports premier league snooker? Was it a good thing or not?
A5. I’ve got to be honest and say that I saw none of it. It mainly took place during times when I was on the table at the qualifying at Prestatyn. But I think there is a place for it.
Q6. When someone is completely snookered and their attempt to get out of it goes completely wrong (ie; They scatter balls everywhere) how do you remember the positions to put them all back in place?
A6. Any shot a player takes is a potential “foul and a miss” so it can happen any time. But before a shot is taken, I make a mental note of where the main balls are - the cue ball and the effective snookering ball. I like to look at their positions from at least two angles. Once you get those back then, with the assistance of both players, the remaining balls are replaced. You’d be surprised how many times a player would say that they haven’t a clue where they were. The rule does state that the referee, in conjunction with both players shall replace the balls.
Checking the balls for position
(Image courtesy of Eirian Williams) Q7. Did you enjoy your role as tournament director at Jesters?
A7. I’ve been Tournament Director in a few clubs but did most of them at Jesters. I’m not just saying this because this is Jesters’ website but there is always a special welcome in Swindon for the tournament staff, and that includes referees, and the players. The management staff comprising Steve and Brad together with their superb staff made life so much easier for us. Nothing was too much trouble. So, yes, I enjoyed it immensely.
Q8. Who decides which ref referees which matches?
A8. The Tournament Director (TD) is ultimately responsible for allocating matches to the referee. It’s not as straightforward as you may think because, whenever possible, the TD should try and avoid allocating the same referee to the same player too often and especially in consecutive matches. The main reason for this is that there are occasions where a referee makes a decision which one player doesn’t agree with. That’s the nature of being a referee, you can’t please everyone. So if, say I had made a decision which didn’t go down too well with a player who went on to win the match, I was to get him in his next match then there might be some friction there before the match even started.
Q9. What was the best match you have ever refereed and why?
A9. That’s a good question as there are so many matches to choose from. I could choose my first ever ranking Final in January 1998 when Paul Hunter won his first title - the regal Welsh - beating John Higgins. Matches involving Ronnie O’Sullivan in the 2000/01 and 2001/02 seasons when I don’t think he lost when I refereed him. Those were the seasons when he beat Mark Williams 9 – 3 to with the China International, made a maximum at Preston, won his first World Title and then (sorry Ken) beat Ken Doherty 10 – 1 in the final of the UK Championships. But one does stand out. It was in the 2002 Embassy World Championship semi final between Ronnie and Stephen Hendry. For one reason or another (which I won’t go in to here) there was a lot of tension out there.
Q10. Have you ever had to have someone ejected from the audience for their behaviour?
A10. Unfortunately yes. I was involved in a match when, half way through the first session, two guys walked in who were obviously the worse for wear after having had one or two (gallons?) between them. One of them was quite vocal and this was unnerving both players and it was also affecting my concentration. I spoke to both players who left the arena while the two guys were escorted out. Other occasions are mobile phones going off. I have lost count, especially at the Crucible Theatre Sheffield, when I have told people to leave. I can’t believe why, after all the announcements about switching them off that people still leave them switched on.
Q11. Do you have a set routine before your matches?
A11. I like to arrive at the venue about 40 to 60 minutes before play to get changed. I then check that I have a coin for spinning with the players to determine who is to break first. This coin stays in my left trouser pocket throughout the match in case there’s a need for a re-rack. In my right trouser pocket is my main ball marker. In my left coat pocket is a spare ball marker, in case I need to move several balls at any one time. I’ll wipe my shoes over then collect my triangle and the balls, and check the table over – that the rests are OK and the extensions etc are where they should be – then set the balls up. I’ll then go and find my players and that’s the preparation complete.
Eirians four Ball Markers
(Image courtesy of Eirian Williams) Q13. In the last competition at the Crucible the electronic scoring system when down for a short while, what would you have done if this was a fault that could not have been resolved?
A13. I was the marker/recorder for that match and was operating the system when it malfunctioned. The TV cameras turned on me and showed me producing one of the old manual score boards we used to use (including at Jesters). The players may not have used them for a long time but that’s the back-up. The players or the referee would then turn to the marker/recorder occasionally and he’d call out the score.
Q14. If there is a fault with the baize on a table (ie; it gets torn) do you have a backup table?
A14. Something happened at the Crucible some years ago when a cloth was damaged. It depends on the severity of the damage as to whether play stops and the damage repaired but, in general, there is no spare table, unless we are in a multi-table situation and play on another table has finished.
Q15. Following from the above question, if they baize was torn half way through a match and had to be replaced would the game be started again or would you have to replace the balls?
A15. Replacing the balls would be nigh on impossible, even if it happened on TV with technology available to help. I would suggest, in conjunction with the players and the TD that the frame be re-started after the cloth was repaired/replaced.
Welshman Eirian started refereeing in 1981 when he joined the amature circuit and yes if you are wondering he has not only refereed at Jesters but organised competitions here at the club too, hIs first final was at The Regal Welsh Open in 1988.
More information about Eirian can be found on his website
Eirian Williams
(Image courtesy of Eirian Williams)
A1. I think that if you ask a referee to give an honest answer to this they’d say someone to gets on with it. But there’s much to be said about the game as a whole. I’ve been involved in matches that have gone on and on but I have been so engrossed in the match that I just don’t know where the time has gone. So, with that said, I would probably opt for Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Williams and Matthew Stevens out of the top 16 but the standard of play of all the top guys is such that it’s a pleasure just to be involved with them. And when two of the players I’ve mentioned play each other, that’s a bonus.
Q2. Has the game of snooker improved for the better over the past 10 years?
A2. I think it’s improved immeasurably. The tables, with very few exceptions, are now pretty consistent which helps the players concentrate on the game instead of wondering how the balls are going to react off different cushions. I only wish the mystery of the kick” could be solved. The top players in the last 10 years have played to such a high standard that the up-and-coming guys have to be that much better in order to play catch-up.
Q3. What is your highest break?
A3. 49, achieved in the Conservative Club in Llanelli.
Q4. What do you do in your spare time when you are not refereeing?
A4. I surf the internet, and always have a look in ebay for interesting sport related items. There’s a lot of DIY work to be done in the house I share with my wife along with quite a large garden which needs a lot of maintenance so I really love the sun coming out so that I can get out there and get some fresh air.
Q5. What did you think of Sky Sports premier league snooker? Was it a good thing or not?
A5. I’ve got to be honest and say that I saw none of it. It mainly took place during times when I was on the table at the qualifying at Prestatyn. But I think there is a place for it.
Q6. When someone is completely snookered and their attempt to get out of it goes completely wrong (ie; They scatter balls everywhere) how do you remember the positions to put them all back in place?
A6. Any shot a player takes is a potential “foul and a miss” so it can happen any time. But before a shot is taken, I make a mental note of where the main balls are - the cue ball and the effective snookering ball. I like to look at their positions from at least two angles. Once you get those back then, with the assistance of both players, the remaining balls are replaced. You’d be surprised how many times a player would say that they haven’t a clue where they were. The rule does state that the referee, in conjunction with both players shall replace the balls.
Checking the balls for position
(Image courtesy of Eirian Williams)
A7. I’ve been Tournament Director in a few clubs but did most of them at Jesters. I’m not just saying this because this is Jesters’ website but there is always a special welcome in Swindon for the tournament staff, and that includes referees, and the players. The management staff comprising Steve and Brad together with their superb staff made life so much easier for us. Nothing was too much trouble. So, yes, I enjoyed it immensely.
Q8. Who decides which ref referees which matches?
A8. The Tournament Director (TD) is ultimately responsible for allocating matches to the referee. It’s not as straightforward as you may think because, whenever possible, the TD should try and avoid allocating the same referee to the same player too often and especially in consecutive matches. The main reason for this is that there are occasions where a referee makes a decision which one player doesn’t agree with. That’s the nature of being a referee, you can’t please everyone. So if, say I had made a decision which didn’t go down too well with a player who went on to win the match, I was to get him in his next match then there might be some friction there before the match even started.
Q9. What was the best match you have ever refereed and why?
A9. That’s a good question as there are so many matches to choose from. I could choose my first ever ranking Final in January 1998 when Paul Hunter won his first title - the regal Welsh - beating John Higgins. Matches involving Ronnie O’Sullivan in the 2000/01 and 2001/02 seasons when I don’t think he lost when I refereed him. Those were the seasons when he beat Mark Williams 9 – 3 to with the China International, made a maximum at Preston, won his first World Title and then (sorry Ken) beat Ken Doherty 10 – 1 in the final of the UK Championships. But one does stand out. It was in the 2002 Embassy World Championship semi final between Ronnie and Stephen Hendry. For one reason or another (which I won’t go in to here) there was a lot of tension out there.
Q10. Have you ever had to have someone ejected from the audience for their behaviour?
A10. Unfortunately yes. I was involved in a match when, half way through the first session, two guys walked in who were obviously the worse for wear after having had one or two (gallons?) between them. One of them was quite vocal and this was unnerving both players and it was also affecting my concentration. I spoke to both players who left the arena while the two guys were escorted out. Other occasions are mobile phones going off. I have lost count, especially at the Crucible Theatre Sheffield, when I have told people to leave. I can’t believe why, after all the announcements about switching them off that people still leave them switched on.
Q11. Do you have a set routine before your matches?
A11. I like to arrive at the venue about 40 to 60 minutes before play to get changed. I then check that I have a coin for spinning with the players to determine who is to break first. This coin stays in my left trouser pocket throughout the match in case there’s a need for a re-rack. In my right trouser pocket is my main ball marker. In my left coat pocket is a spare ball marker, in case I need to move several balls at any one time. I’ll wipe my shoes over then collect my triangle and the balls, and check the table over – that the rests are OK and the extensions etc are where they should be – then set the balls up. I’ll then go and find my players and that’s the preparation complete.
Eirians four Ball Markers
(Image courtesy of Eirian Williams)
A13. I was the marker/recorder for that match and was operating the system when it malfunctioned. The TV cameras turned on me and showed me producing one of the old manual score boards we used to use (including at Jesters). The players may not have used them for a long time but that’s the back-up. The players or the referee would then turn to the marker/recorder occasionally and he’d call out the score.
Q14. If there is a fault with the baize on a table (ie; it gets torn) do you have a backup table?
A14. Something happened at the Crucible some years ago when a cloth was damaged. It depends on the severity of the damage as to whether play stops and the damage repaired but, in general, there is no spare table, unless we are in a multi-table situation and play on another table has finished.
Q15. Following from the above question, if they baize was torn half way through a match and had to be replaced would the game be started again or would you have to replace the balls?
A15. Replacing the balls would be nigh on impossible, even if it happened on TV with technology available to help. I would suggest, in conjunction with the players and the TD that the frame be re-started after the cloth was repaired/replaced.