A hot topic of conversation amongst snooker fans at the moment is what can be done by the governing body to ‘improve the show’ and while I have many ideas personally, one particular area that I think should be explored is actually what happens after the show…
Following the appointment of Barry Hearn to the board of the WPBSA, one observation that has been made by various snooker fans is that we can expect to see the introduction of walk-on music for the players as they come into the arena. Indeed this is what happens in other Matchroom Sport events such as the Premier League and the PDC darts events.
What is not so frequently mentioned however is what happens after the matches reach their conclusion. Currently and for as long as I have been watching snooker, when the winning ball is potted there is a handshake and the players pack up their cues and scurry off backstage as quickly as they can. Occasionally they will stop to sign a few autographs and celebrate with a fist pump, but generally they are out of the arena in under a minute.
For many years I did not give this much thought but during the last few tournaments I have come to see it as a rather dissatisfying way to conclude proceedings, particularly as a fan who has attended many matches live at the venues.
Contrast this procedure with what happens in the majority of tennis matches for example. There, the winning player will celebrate, sign a few tennis balls before hitting them into the crowd, sign the camera lens and then go and sign a number of autographs for the paying public. They will also give a few interviews to the TV stations around the world while still in the arena and generally I just find it to be a more satisfying end than is the case in snooker.
Post-match interviews – a good thing
Now obviously I am not suggesting that snooker players should be throwing signed snooker balls into the crowd as that would not exactly be in the interests of health and safety! Also I appreciate that they cannot be too demonstrative out in the arena when they are playing in a two-table situation with another match in progress.
It would though be nice if they could do something more, perhaps be required to spend some time signing a few autographs or where there is just a one-table situation (the Masters, semi-finals etc), give a TV interview out there in the arena like at the Premier League.
Taking the interviews point further, often the only quotes that we get to see from the players are those reported on the World Snooker website from their post-match press conferences. Why can these not be made available to watch over the internet on the World Snooker site for us to watch, so we can see what happens in full?
Overall I would say that bringing the sport - and by that I mean players, closer to the fans is something that must be encouraged in snooker’s biggest events. While pre-match interviews and introductions would also be a step in the right direction, what happens afterwards should not be ignored because after all, that will be what spectators leaving the arena are likely to remember.
I would be interested to hear what other fans think about this. Is the conclusion of a match in itself ‘enough’ for you or would you like to see something more, either in the arena itself or somewhere else at the venues?
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10 comments
Isak says:
December 10, 2009 at 11:58 pm (UTC 0 )
I agree in full! Broadcasted interviews are great even if they just say “Aye, he was better today, I made some easy mistakes ya know”
Monique says:
December 11, 2009 at 12:09 am (UTC 0 )
I would sign to that with both hands … but then I would REALLY want it if the players were accepted for being human. Not always saying the “right” thing, without being slagged off. Allowed to show their own personality, cheerful or darker, intravert or extravert without being “judged”. People have been complaining about the lack of “characters” … well being a character is also about temperament, emotions, opinions, about being genuine.
Oh yes we will hear a few daft things, uncough, silly, uncalled for maybe … so what? Aren’t we all like that at times? The guys are taken to the mike minutes after a win or loss, they’re emotional and I think it’s great.
matt2745 says:
December 11, 2009 at 12:21 am (UTC 0 )
Some good points there Mon.
In football if managers come out right after the match and say the “wrong” thing then they usually end up being charged with misconduct so I could see the same happening in future which would lead to more PC interviews.
Just batting around a few ideas in my mind really, I just think that if as a fan you sit there for four hours watching a match, it can be a bit of an anti-climax for the players to give you a wave and jog off with their cue.
porridge says:
December 11, 2009 at 1:22 am (UTC 0 )
agree with everything you’ve said here. these interview things should have been no-brainers for WPBSA, BBC, and basically everyone involved. All these years on Eurosport for example, since they use the transmissions from the BBC, there haven’t been anything after matches. players disappear and then they tell you when the next transmission starts and goodbye. when eurosport had the british open rights for that one year, they did things really well. players disappeared, 10 seconds, and then interview with both players. lightning quick action.
and we shouldn’t worry about the lack of characters from the moment mr Hearn sits on his chair. i predict the first thing he’ll do is to scrap the whole idea of disciplinary committees or whatever they’re called, and then it’s up to players to fire away as much as they can. if they want to, of course.
Wolfgang says:
December 11, 2009 at 2:00 am (UTC 0 )
Since I began watching snooker in 2005 I couldn’t believe how the players rushed out of the arena as if they had to get to the last bus. Signing autographs isn’t that loud so could be done even in a two table situation.
The music idea is great. Maybe some of the more ironic characters would even choose songs that refer to their respective opponents. I just imagine Anthony Hamilton entering the arena against Ronnie O’Sullivan with the Bee Gees crying “Stayin’ alive” in the background.
Concerning post match interviews: It could be good to interview the winner but the loser MUST have the choice to say nothing and leave. I hate the situation in football when some TV-idiot tries to lure a player into saying something he will regret a few hours or even minutes later. So the loser must be given the opportunity to storm into his wardrobe, demolish some furniture and calm down until he goes to the press conference.
What I would like to see are player profiles. Interviews with the players prior to an event about their expectations but also about other things like music, movies, other sports, literature or even politics if the player is interested in that. For example Rory McLeod is supposed to be a really funny guy but you would not expect that when you see him at the table. I’d really like to see him or any other player in a more relaxed environment.
Next, get rid of the waiter’s dress. Or more specifically allow the players for more variations. Make the waistcoat and the bow tie optional. Let them use colors. If a player is put off by his opponent wearing a read shirt and green tousers he should go home and play scabble.
These things could help the players to show their personality and get some fans.
anon says:
December 11, 2009 at 7:17 am (UTC 0 )
This has been mentioned numerous times to the people involved with running the WSA tournaments, and nothing has ever been done about it. It looks terrible on the tv when players rush out of the arena .I’m sure there will be many changes addresssing isues like this under the new board .
Elin says:
December 11, 2009 at 10:25 am (UTC 0 )
You’re presenting an interesting point, Matt, as do the comments. I’m going to my first live pro snooker match tomorrow (O’Sullivan – Higgins) and I’m very excited. However, the other day when I thought about it I came to think of how the players rush out of the arena after the match, sometimes with not as much as a smile on their faces. Like someone else said, it’s truly an anticlimax. I’ve never thought about how it could affect the popularity of the sport though. Surely, Barry Hearn will put some of these things on his agenda. He seems to have a less conservative perspective on the sport than the old management.
michael says:
December 11, 2009 at 11:27 am (UTC 0 )
i think its time the players started to show more interest and passion, giving something back to get more people going to watch snooker, these players want more tournements and money but they must be prepared to entertain, not just mope around win or lose with the same expression on there faces….. if you win show some emotion… spend time after thanking the crowd.. do some trick shots perhaps, get crowd members involved to play some trick shots, throw your chalk and towel into the crowd, just do something!!! dont be robots, i play this game to a decent standard and we still manage to have a laugh at times, the game isnt as boring as the players are making it…..
nickogs20 says:
December 11, 2009 at 7:55 pm (UTC 0 )
I don’t think it’s the players fault particularly. They’ve not had an awful lot of choice but to become ‘robots’ with the thread of disciplinary action for any comments straying from the party line or the banal. Hopefully that will be something that can change under Hearn – it’s not like the players are going to come out and lambast the referee like footballers/football managers so they should pretty much be given free rein to say what they like.
I do agree that the losing player should be allowed to scurry off as soon as he likes, as is the case in tennis. Would definitely be nice to see the match-winner stick around a bit though, interview, autographs, pose for photos etc. While watching snooker live at one of the venues is a great experience, I could see why some wouldn’t bother – when the players are appearing, playing and then immediately scarpering backstage, some might feel they may as well just be watching on TV for all the interaction they’re getting (especially as often, when players do do interviews, it’s in the tv studio with Hazel and co., and for TV viewers’ eyes only).
jason knox says:
January 17, 2010 at 6:06 pm (UTC 0 )
walk on music is great he is a few i think would fit the players
ronnie o`sullivan rocket man
peter ebdon can you feel the force
shaun murphy its a kind of magic
mark allen shot through the heart
mark selby house of fun
mark williams eye of the tiger
steve davis old man river
john parrot the birdie song
john higgins were off 2 see the wizard