Rory McLeod

[Alex0paul]

If Rory McLeod beats Andy Hicks would he be the first black player to play at the Crucible?

Hopefully this could inspire more black players to take up the game.

[The Statman]

Yes he would be.

The nearest I suppose, if one can say it like that, is Surinder Gill (who at the time he appeared at Sheffield lived three streets from me) who lost 10-1 to Hendry in 1994.

[PaulTheSoave]

Does Joe Johnson not fall in the same category as Gill then? He was world champ!

[chasmmi]

Does Joe Johnson not fall in the same category as Gill then? He was world champ!

What living three streets away from The Statman?

[PaulTheSoave]

Indeed. Bradford south it is, Statters is living!

What living three streets away from The Statman?

[DartsMadJohn]

Is Rory McLeod the first black player ever to compete in professional snooker?

[SD147]

Is Rory McLeod the first black player ever to compete in professional snooker?

No, a couple of years ago there was a young black guy on the Challenge Tour called Marvin Aldridge. He practiced with me a little bit. A decent enough player just didn't quite have it. Really nice guy though.
He played an exhibition match at the crucible during the world champs with David Gilbert, Steve Davis and John Parrott, so although it wasn't a world championship match he was the first black player to actually compete at the Crucible!

SD147

[MrRottweiler]

I'm sure Rory played a televised match at the Cruicble a few years ago (which I missed)

When I worked with him at a Snooker club his practice table of choice had pockets so tight they only just allowed the ball in. They were way tighter than championship tables and I bet any other pro wouldn't play on it. Instead of knocking in the required several centuries a day it was 1 or 2 at best. Rory was awsome to watch as he had immense cue power. He once told me he almost became a pro footballer but injury ended his footballing career and turned his interest to Snooker.

[missneworleans]

Yea, I didn't hear a lot about McLeod. He jumped form nowhere as Higginson. That 145 break was his best break in career though!

[PaulTheSoave]

I also was pondering last week I was sure he got to the televised stages. But I remembered the bbc were doing a road to The Crucible footage where Rory went to the final qualifying round. He lost to Robert Milkins, in 2004. I checked the stats on here and Rory was never in the last 32.

I'm sure Rory played a televised match at the Cruicble a few years ago (which I missed)

[Stunrunthru]

Yes he would be.

The nearest I suppose, if one can say it like that, is Surinder Gill (who at the time he appeared at Sheffield lived three streets from me) who lost 10-1 to Hendry in 1994.

Gill is Indian by ethnic origin.

[The Statman]

I thought Pakistani, but whichever, that's why I said "If you can put it like that"!

[gavhay]

I remember Rory on TV, I am sure he beat Paul Hunter last season in the Grand Prix. I think that is the only time I have seen him on TV.