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SOUTHPORT

CELEBRATING

25 YEARS

CENTRAL CABS

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2 October 2019

Vol 26 l Issue 40

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IT’S IN THE BAG! TOWN POTS TOP SNOOKER EVENT Top names lined up for world-ranking tournament to be staged at resort’s Waterfront venue

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Report by Danielle Thompson A WORLD-RANKING prestigious snooker championship is on cue to come to Southport for the first time next year, in what has been described as a ‘huge event for the town.’ Southport Waterfront will host the Coral Players Championship from February 24 to March 1. It features the leading 16 players on snooker’s one-year ranking list including star names such as Ronnie O’Sullivan, who won the title last season, and the man he beat in the final, Neil Robertson. They could be joined by other leading lights of the game, Judd Trump, John Higgins, Mark Selby, and Mark Williams. The announcement comes just two weeks after the Champion revealed that the town had missed out on the opportunity to host another top tournament - the British Chess Championships - after organisers claimed Southport Theatre and Convention Centre had made bringing the event to the town ‘financially unviable’. The event was subsequently relocated to Torquay. However, Waterfront bosses have successfully potted the snooker event which is seen as a real coup for Southport. The Southport tournament - which will have total prize

Ronnie O’Sullivan and Neil Robertson in last year’s Coral Players Championship final

money of £385,000 with the winner set to receive £125,000 will be shown live by ITV. A spokesman for World Snooker said: “We are very excited about bringing this prestigious tournament to Merseyside for the first time. “We know there’s a lot of support for snooker in the area so we’re expecting big crowds, and once tickets are on sale fans must get them booked early as many of the sessions will sell out. “The Southport Waterfront is a fantastic venue in a beautiful location on England’s North West coast. It’s will be a superb stage for snooker’s biggest names. “The Coral Players Championship will bring together 16 of the best players on the planet. The great thing about the Coral Series is that all 128 tour players begin the season on zero as they start the race to qualify for the three lucrative events. So

only those in form make it into the elite field. “That race is well underway now and it will be fascinating to see whether all of the big names make it to Southport, or whether we get new faces and outsiders earning a place in the line-up. “For fans in the area it’s fabulous news as it’s a chance to see live sport at its very best.” Emma Lloyd, head of creative for Waterfront Southport said: “This is huge for the venue and the town. We are delighted to be working with the team at World Snooker to bring it to the Waterfront and we hope it’s the start of a great working relationship. “ The North West is known for its love of snooker and Southport is no different!” Ticket details will be announced as soon as they are available.

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