Chris Small
| Born | 26 September 1973 |
|---|---|
| Sport country |  Scotland |
| Professional | 1991–2005 |
| Highest ranking | 12 (2004/05) |
| Highest break | 141 (twice) |
| Tournament wins | |
| Ranking | 1 |
| Minor-ranking | 1 |
Christopher "Chris" Small (born 26 September 1973) is a retired Scottish professional snooker player. His career was ended by the spinal condition ankylosing spondylitis.[1][2]
Contents |
[edit] Career
His greatest achievement was winning the LG Cup in 2002, beating Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins before a 9–5 win over Alan McManus in the final. This followed a season in which he won only three matches, owing to the severity of his condition.[3] Despite being the youngest player ever to win on his Crucible debut (10–7 against Doug Mountjoy aged 18 in 1992) he never progressed beyond the last 16 in the World Championship.
He was a regular in the top 32 for several years, but his LG Cup win helped him reach #12 for the 2004/2005 season, the only time he had entered the top 16. That season however ended with him having to pull out of a World Championship match against Alan McManus while trailing 1–7, as the regular steroid injections he required in his neck caused problems with his vision.[4] The following season was disastrous for him, and in September 2005 he announced his retirement from the game.
In January 2007, he applied for a grant from a trust fund for players who have fallen on hard times from the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association but was rejected.[5] This decision, stemming from Small's refusal to provide a £250 medical certificate, has been criticised by figures including Jimmy White, Graeme Dott, ("Everybody in the game that I’ve spoken to is behind him")[6] and Clive Everton.[1]
Small is the son of a taxi driver.[7] He worked as a bank clerk before his success in snooker,[8] however he has not been able to work since retiring. Small and his wife Clare have four children.[9]
[edit] Tournament wins
[edit] Ranking
- LG Cup (2002)
[edit] Minor Ranking
- Benson & Hedges Championship (1992)
[edit] References
- ^ a b Ex Snooker Star Chris gives up
- ^ "Small forced to give up snooker. Former World No.12 Chris Small has retired from snooker due to a degenerative spinal disease.". BBC News (BBC). September 23, 2005. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/snooker/4274298.stm. Retrieved December 18, 2011.
- ^ Small Claims Biggest Prize
- ^ Opening day at Sheffield comes with a Small eruption
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ Small's tall order
- ^ O'Sullivan big scalp for Small
- ^ Ex Snooker Champion Gives up Battle
[edit] External Links
- Chris Small – results & statistics at CueTracker.net
