Mark Boyle

[madman]

I just want to give 'Big Respect and Credit' to Mark Boyle for turning up for the last 2 events. I know he is a professional, and he should fulfil his professional duties accordingly, but after 3 events, he decided he was going to 'chuck it in' as he had only won one match and not earn't a penny, and i suppose feeling a bit low and despondant with the game, he was skint and couldn't afford to lose any more money or time off work.

I don't know the lad, but for him to come back and try his heart out in the China Open and the Worlds, i cannot praise him enough. When he won a match in the worlds i was willing him to beat Jimmy White, although we all want the Whirlwind to win, just so that he could earn the £4,500 grand prize money.

If it was not for having to replace his tip, who knows what the outcome might of been, and maybe he could of gone one more better. So 'Well done 'Mark Boyle', a true professional. :snooker:

Over the years, i have seen a few players in a similar boat throw the towel in and not return. I just cannot stand this when a player does this and gives his opponent a bye. I think its well unfair when players get bye's, get the full ranking points and possible prize money, when all the others are struggling their B------S off to get into the next round, and because a player feels like he has had enough, his opponent gets a walkover.

Until World Snooker can come up with a solution for this unfair practice, (i know its not the opponents fault), then it will never be a fair way to earn your ranking points!!!!!!

[jb134]

There has to be prize money for first round losers. It's the main tour for heavens sake. You strive your whole life to get there.

You've made it, achieved your dreams.

Only to discover you've entries, travel, digs etc to pay and your in a booth twitching away with another good player and one of you, if nit both, is going home skint.

If there's prizemoney of even £500 to first round losers that's £24,000 an event, still probably less than the runner up gets and it gives guys a chance to make ends meet.

[themayorofflair]

Absolutely. Prize money has never filtered down trough the game as it should (& does in other sports).

Another issue for Mr.Hearn to address maybe......?

If prize money was filtered down a little better it would enable more players to dedicate theselves to the game entirely, I would therefore assume that as a result you may see a further standard increase down the line & just possibly a few more players like Alex Higgins, Jimmy White & Ronnie O'Sullivan.

They are PROFESSIONAL snooker players after all.

You must nourish the roots for the flower to grow !

Respect indeed to Mark Boyle, it must be difficult living in his sisters shadow.

[madman]

Thats the trouble. All players ranked from 65-96, receive no prize money unless they win a minimum of 2 matches in every ranking tournament. This has always raised concerns, but nothing has never been done.

When you think most of these players have to work full or part time if they are not lucky enough to have a sponsor or some other financial backing. So with the entry fees of over £2,000 grand, hotel costs, travelling expenses and food it can cost a small fortune for a lot of these players. Then if they have taken all their holiday, they have to take the time off work, they usually have to make it back up, or lose the money. On top of that, they have to get their practice in, and with a lot of them also support a family.

And this is what you call a Snooker Professional. A bit different in reality. Unlike footballers who are on contracts and guaranteed thousands of pounds in weekly salaries, a snooker Professional only gets paid in the lower ranks if they wins matches. Otherwise, they are no better off than being on the dole.

At least it looks as though Barry Hearn wants to address this farce. He has stated previously when he was elected that he want all players to be professionals. And by that he means he wants them all earning proper money, and he does not want professionals to have to have part time jobs to support themselves. He wants them all to make a decent living as professional sports people should, by being full time professional snooker players, without other jobs.

Lets just hope he keeps to his word and does something about this for the lower, unpaid ranks.

[gazza147]

Thats the trouble. All players ranked from 65-96, receive no prize money unless they win a minimum of 2 matches in every ranking tournament. This has always raised concerns, but nothing has never been done.

When you think most of these players have to work full or part time if they are not lucky enough to have a sponsor or some other financial backing. So with the entry fees of over £2,000 grand, hotel costs, travelling expenses and food it can cost a small fortune for a lot of these players. Then if they have taken all their holiday, they have to take the time off work, they usually have to make it back up, or lose the money. On top of that, they have to get their practice in, and with a lot of them also support a family.

And this is what you call a Snooker Professional. A bit different in reality. Unlike footballers who are on contracts and guaranteed thousands of pounds in weekly salaries, a snooker Professional only gets paid in the lower ranks if they wins matches. Otherwise, they are no better off than being on the dole.

At least it looks as though Barry Hearn wants to address this farce. He has stated previously when he was elected that he want all players to be professionals. And by that he means he wants them all earning proper money, and he does not want professionals to have to have part time jobs to support themselves. He wants them all to make a decent living as professional sports people should, by being full time professional snooker players, without other jobs.

Lets just hope he keeps to his word and does something about this for the lower, unpaid ranks.

Yes I agree Snooker Pro's should be Treated like any other pro, Getting the Amount they deserve for all there Practice etc.

When I was growing up and Playing Really Good Snooker & Pool there was no Money in it Unless you Enterd all the Tourny's Away which I couldn't Really Afford as you Need a Good Sponsor for that and i had to find my Own Transport, Food, Travel Especially when Playing Pool for the County etc.

Holds alot of Younger Players back Unless they are Quite Wealthy Family.

I also hope Barry does something about this.


Gaz.