Ronnie pulls out of the 2012/13 season

Monique wrote:

Smart wrote:

Casey wrote:

Jewell wrote:

freakmoomin wrote:Hendry gone....... now ROS gone!

i cant cope with this :(

I hope your wrong, but if Ronnie has indeed gone then at least he went out on his own terms. Can't ask for anymore then that.

Yep, a 4-3 loss to Simon Bedford, so you are correct it's a fitting send off for him!

Well it was all his manager's fault! You don't tempt a man with a monster home cooked paella and then expect him to turn it down. No wonder he wanted to be out of there asap!

Yep, that´s correct.

People should realise that time of social bandwagons should be more or less over. Even if you are sure that yous are not making a mistake and doing something that has worked before nothing is guarenteed. Result might still just the opposite that was aimed. Not all can be seen with eyes and logic.

Trumpster wrote:Thankyou Barry Hearn for helping to force out the greatest talent we ever had. Talk about a muppet killing the goose that lays the golden egg. He will have plenty of offers to do this and that in the media. If he doesn't enjoy practice, as he says he does not, it's curtains really. Even Ronnie can't win matches without practice. I hope he can overcome his demons, and see more of his kids. It's the minimum he deserves for providing so much pleasure to the public.

The reason a lot of folk won't turn up to see tournaments now is not because they'll miss seeing ROS play; it's because they won't see the tournaments as valid without him in the mix. Most people who buy tickets for the worlds (etc) don't get to see ROS play but they attend because they see the tournament as relevant and meaningful. Imagine if Man Utd pulled out of the Premiership; even the Liverpool fans would say it's not the same.

It's hard for me to believe that the Nugget is still going and Hendry and ROS ain't playing. Bizarre!

Barry Hearn is building a future for the next generations he cant wet nurse Ronnie and thus the sport stagnated (been there done that for the last 20 years)

Sport changes Sport moves on Ronnie was the first player to say "we want Barry Hearn" ok he did mention Simon Cowell too ......well thoes 2 men are workaholics and thinking big things world wide.

what did ronnie realisticly expect from Barry a chigwell snooker tour ?

he called for more tournaments and he got them.

I appreciate this comment is coming from somebody who freely admits to not being a Ronnie fan, but I think we've got to accept Ronnie is just one man. It seems that a lot of people are wanting him to stay around.

It's always disappointing to see somebody you like retire, but we can't expect to see him playing for the rest of his life. Do we expect somebody to be playing when they are 70 just because we like watching them? Ronnie has achieved a lot in his career, and feels he needs to take time off. We've got to accept that. He's not going to be around forever.

Saying that, it's possible he'll be back next season on the main tour, and even if he isn't, I can see him still doing Snooker Legends and stuff like that. It's entirely possible this isn't the last time we've seen him pick up a cue. We should just use this as an opportunity to enjoy the snooker of other players.

But it'd be very difficult for him to break in to the rankings if he takes the season off . Goodness knows what his ranking will be at the end of the season . Certainly the rocket won't be suited to playing in qualifiers without the cameras

And can you imagine the outcry if he decided to come backin a couple of months saying " Oh but I've changed my mind I want to continue the season " ? That'd be a sulk too far "

Monique wrote:

Jewell wrote:Mate, Hendry retired because he couldn't refuse the cash that was being thrown his way. Now that's not a dig at Hendry, he took the route that was best for him, but I fully believe Hendry would still be on tour right now grinding away if it wasn't for the chinese cash.

the extended and bigger tour, week in week out didnt suit him as he wanted to wind down whilst staying in the top 16 which he felt he coulnd't fully commit to playing more tournaments long-terms and the other being not being able to reproduce the form on a consistent basis
That's nonsense.
Hendry retired primarily because he felt that he couldn't play anymore to the standards he set for himself. He gave himself a season to get back to top 16 and having failed to do it, decided that he didn't want to embarrass himself any further; the man has some pride. The packed schedule and having to struggle through PTCs - minor events that he sees as pointless - to survive in the rankings wasn't to his liking. Those were the main factors. The fact that he was offered a lucrative deal in China, only reinforced his decision.

i don't think the packed schedule suited ronnie either and has definitely influenced his decision plus the fact that this personal issues, i.e. family is not good at the moment

Jewell wrote:

Trumpster wrote:It's just starting to sink in, and I am really saddened, nae depressed by the news today. I have very little interest in tournaments this year now, even the worlds. I just hope Trump can raise his game to become a great, talented champion. Unfortunately, even Trump lacks the talent Ronnie has. This is a huge loss. Trouble genius with a talent that no-one in the history of the game can match for sure. When he's gone folk will finally realise just how good he was, because there will be a huge vacuum. Without Ronnie, we merely have a lot of bots like the jester from Leicester plying their trade. They are dreary. Remember his record breaking 147, that amazing 92 break at this year's worlds, beating players with his 'wrong' hand. The snooker world will be very much poorer without its magician.

Well said, couldn't agree more.

I agree we've lost a great talent, no doubt about it.

BUT.......

If someone lost interest in the sport because of the loss of one player they were never fans of the sport to begin with. These are not the "fans" who are good for the game, their shelf life is limited to that of one player.

Best of luck to Ronnie, hopefully he'll be back

Sickpotter wrote:

Jewell wrote:

Trumpster wrote:It's just starting to sink in, and I am really saddened, nae depressed by the news today. I have very little interest in tournaments this year now, even the worlds. I just hope Trump can raise his game to become a great, talented champion. Unfortunately, even Trump lacks the talent Ronnie has. This is a huge loss. Trouble genius with a talent that no-one in the history of the game can match for sure. When he's gone folk will finally realise just how good he was, because there will be a huge vacuum. Without Ronnie, we merely have a lot of bots like the jester from Leicester plying their trade. They are dreary. Remember his record breaking 147, that amazing 92 break at this year's worlds, beating players with his 'wrong' hand. The snooker world will be very much poorer without its magician.

Well said, couldn't agree more.

I agree we've lost a great talent, no doubt about it.

BUT.......

If someone lost interest in the sport because of the loss of one player they were never fans of the sport to begin with. These are not the "fans" who are good for the game, their shelf life is limited to that of one player.

Best of luck to Ronnie, hopefully he'll be back

Agree. As I have been saying, no player is bigger than the sport itself... it will certainly suffer a bit, but can and will survive without him... like Wild said, it isn't Heran's fault by any means... Hearn is doing what shoud have been done more years ago... I fully back most of Hearn's decisions, cause he is taking this sport to new levels... before him, it was beggining to be at the bottom of the ocean... but now we can have full time players playing all around the World, and that's what a sport should be all about... and not just centered in the UK in snooker's case.

Also agree that we should first be fans of the game, then extend that to some players we may or may not like. it's true that, when I started watching this sport, it was Ronnie who made me love it, but that's the case in all sports really... a player gets our attention, and then we extend that attention to the sport as a whole.

I will certainly be watching the snooker wherever Ronnie is in it or not. That's the way we should behave really.

SnookerFan wrote:

Witz78 wrote:
He still doesnt talk about Ronnie as much as you do though

away and have a heart attack

My bad. What was I thinking in this thread about Ronnie?

Sonny wrote:This documentary on him is brilliant.

some brilliant footage of him as a boy and stuff I had never seen before, amazing doc and gladded I recorded it. The thing that comes out is that he is really indebted to his father and that losing him for 18 years has scarred him totally. Sad.

Yes, sad that his dad is a racist psychopath murderer.

Muppet147 wrote:Yes, sad that his dad is a racist psychopath murderer.

Who has served his time. Let it go.

Smart wrote:

Sonny wrote:This documentary on him is brilliant.

some brilliant footage of him as a boy and stuff I had never seen before, amazing doc and gladded I recorded it. The thing that comes out is that he is really indebted to his father and that losing him for 18 years has scarred him totally. Sad.

One has to wonder where he would be now had his father not been convicted.

If all one sees all day long are criminal activities being done by their "role model" then one tends to gravitate towards the same with the desire to emulate/please them.

IMO had his father stuck around the chances are he would have led him down the same life of crime so the scarring he incurred by losing his dad in reality likely saved him from the same fate.

Of course that is pure speculation but the general trend of criminals raising their kids to be criminals is very strong.

Muppet147 wrote:Yes, sad that his dad is a racist psychopath murderer.

you never watched the documentary - so you never got my point, run along hammer

Smart wrote:

Muppet147 wrote:Yes, sad that his dad is a racist psychopath murderer.

you never watched the documentary - so you never got my point, run along hammer

ENOUGH mate...Keep the insults OFF THE BOARD.

Sickpotter wrote:

Smart wrote:

Sonny wrote:This documentary on him is brilliant.

some brilliant footage of him as a boy and stuff I had never seen before, amazing doc and gladded I recorded it. The thing that comes out is that he is really indebted to his father and that losing him for 18 years has scarred him totally. Sad.

One has to wonder where he would be now had his father not been convicted.

If all one sees all day long are criminal activities being done by their "role model" then one tends to gravitate towards the same with the desire to emulate/please them.

IMO had his father stuck around the chances are he would have led him down the same life of crime so the scarring he incurred by losing his dad in reality likely saved him from the same fate.

Of course that is pure speculation but the general trend of criminals raising their kids to be criminals is very strong.

Wrong. His dad was a businessman who happened to kill someone in a nightclub incident, that thing can happen. Where are you getting this idea that ROS Snr was a criminal in other areas than this nightclub incident - that is imo pure and malicious speculation on your part. Review your comment immediately.

Agree sickpotter, maybe his father going to jail did him a "favour" cause like you say he saw that his father was impriosened for a crime and so tried his best not to become a person like him... had he not been captured or be captured later in his life, it could have had the reverse effect on Ronnie, and hinder him even more.

Of course this is all speculation as you say. Given the circumstances, maybe Ronnie has overahieved in the game as with all those problems and his depression, he did very well to achieve what he has achieved.

Have to watch the documentary... maybe later this evening

Smart wrote:

Sickpotter wrote:

Smart wrote:

Sonny wrote:This documentary on him is brilliant.

some brilliant footage of him as a boy and stuff I had never seen before, amazing doc and gladded I recorded it. The thing that comes out is that he is really indebted to his father and that losing him for 18 years has scarred him totally. Sad.

One has to wonder where he would be now had his father not been convicted.

If all one sees all day long are criminal activities being done by their "role model" then one tends to gravitate towards the same with the desire to emulate/please them.

IMO had his father stuck around the chances are he would have led him down the same life of crime so the scarring he incurred by losing his dad in reality likely saved him from the same fate.

Of course that is pure speculation but the general trend of criminals raising their kids to be criminals is very strong.

Wrong. His dad was a businessman who happened to kill someone in a nightclub incident, that thing can happen. Where are you getting this idea that ROS Snr was a criminal in other areas than this nightclub incident - that is imo pure and malicious speculation on your part. Review your comment immediately.

Businessman.....in what industry again? Porn right? Yeah, that industry is devoid of the criminal element

I did say my position was pure speculation.

Rushing to defend Ronnie Sr. reputation......are you taking over Witz's mantle as the defender of the underdog?

Gotta say you must know some pretty iffy characters if you think a night club murder is something that can just happen to anyone.

you obviously go to the wrong clubs Sickpotter.........................

Not defending him, but a one-off incident does not mean that he was a born and bred crim or that was the path he would lead young Ron down, actually the documentary shows them at junior tournaments and he said how his dad drove around, bought the table at home etc etc, so nothing like what you allude to.

Just heard the news. I'm shocked but in a way I saw it coming. But if there's ever a fitting time to quit then it's as the reigning World Champion.

Snooker Overdrive wrote:Just heard the news. I'm shocked but in a way I saw it coming. But if there's ever a fitting time to quit then it's as the reigning World Champion.

Yeah was actually a bit surprised that you didn't post something earlier. Agree, if this is to be last we ever see Ronnie pick up a cue, in professional tournaments that is, then there is no better time than to do it as the reigning World Champion as you rightly say.

Simon Bedford will be very pleased though cause he may go down in history books as the last player to play Ronnie in a professional match and to actually beat him

Hope this isn't the last time we see Ronnie though... Just hope he sorts out all his personal problems and comes back next season, cause he still can win more titles if he wants to. But if he decides not to carry on, then all the best for him.

Andre147 wrote:

Snooker Overdrive wrote:Just heard the news. I'm shocked but in a way I saw it coming. But if there's ever a fitting time to quit then it's as the reigning World Champion.

Yeah was actually a bit surprised that you didn't post something earlier. Agree, if this is to be last we ever see Ronnie pick up a cue, in professional tournaments that is, then there is no better time than to do it as the reigning World Champion as you rightly say.

Simon Bedford will be very pleased though cause he may go down in history books as the last player to play Ronnie in a professional match and to actually beat him

I'll write a more detailed article soon but right now I just don't know what to say.

Jewell wrote:

Snooker Overdrive wrote:Just heard the news. I'm shocked but in a way I saw it coming. But if there's ever a fitting time to quit then it's as the reigning World Champion.

You're almost as bad as SnookerFan.

What happened? Has somebody retired?

SnookerFan wrote:

Jewell wrote:

Snooker Overdrive wrote:Just heard the news. I'm shocked but in a way I saw it coming. But if there's ever a fitting time to quit then it's as the reigning World Champion.

You're almost as bad as SnookerFan.

What happened? Has somebody retired?

Terry Griffiths.

Andre147 wrote:

Snooker Overdrive wrote:Just heard the news. I'm shocked but in a way I saw it coming. But if there's ever a fitting time to quit then it's as the reigning World Champion.

Yeah was actually a bit surprised that you didn't post something earlier. Agree, if this is to be last we ever see Ronnie pick up a cue, in professional tournaments that is, then there is no better time than to do it as the reigning World Champion as you rightly say.

Simon Bedford will be very pleased though cause he may go down in history books as the last player to play Ronnie in a professional match and to actually beat him

i think we will see him again but as a qualifier the question is if things don't go as he would like them too will he carry on.

Ronnie Could come Back but to get back up the rankings he will have to really commit OK Money Rankings will help him but at the same time they could sink him if he loses early in events with being match rusty.

personally i cant see a Flat 128 system across the board in every event not for a few years if at all. will he want to go back to 1 or 2 qualifiers in a Sheffield cubicle ?

he might see it as the challenge he needs or just too much work keeping him away from family.

Somehow I just can't see Ronnie slogging away and really commit himself if he decides to return cause by then he will have to play 1 or 2 qualifiers as you say, and the extra matches needed might prove a step too far. He could see it as a chalenge, as he once said in an interview, but, like you said, if he starts badly, then I reckon he'll just pack things up and never play again.

It all depends on how he starts if he is to continue playing the game. As a Ronnie fan, of course I would very much want him to, but if he doesn't then I can only wish him all the best for the future. You have given us some wonderful moments to sherish with your natural ability to play this very very difficult game of snooker.

even if the flat 128 doesnt come in, i still think Ronnie will just enter the qualifiers of the events he wants to, and lets be honest, he should sail through these games as even the usual grinders will be fazed by having to play somebody like him in qualifying.

with a money list too, if he focuses on the big events, he can do more than enough to secure a decent ranking playing minimal snooker.

However im not sure he will come back, obviously depends upon his mental state, but also how he gets on during his break, if he doesnt miss it then whats to say hell come back. His move into the Legends seemed premature at the time but it may have been his way of dipping his toe in the water and he could be like a modern day Joe Davis who retired when he was still the main man, and just played exhibitions.

I think even if he does retire, there could be a precedence for him to get a wildcard into the Masters in seasons to come, just for the sheer publicity and interest it would create.

Jewell wrote:

Wild WC wrote:

Andre147 wrote:

Snooker Overdrive wrote:Just heard the news. I'm shocked but in a way I saw it coming. But if there's ever a fitting time to quit then it's as the reigning World Champion.

Yeah was actually a bit surprised that you didn't post something earlier. Agree, if this is to be last we ever see Ronnie pick up a cue, in professional tournaments that is, then there is no better time than to do it as the reigning World Champion as you rightly say.

Simon Bedford will be very pleased though cause he may go down in history books as the last player to play Ronnie in a professional match and to actually beat him

i think we will see him again but as a qualifier the question is if things don't go as he would like them too will he carry on.

Ronnie Could come Back but to get back up the rankings he will have to really commit OK Money Rankings will help him but at the same time they could sink him if he loses early in events with being match rusty.

personally i cant see a Flat 128 system across the board in every event not for a few years if at all. will he want to go back to 1 or 2 qualifiers in a Sheffield cubicle ?

he might see it as the challenge he needs or just too much work keeping him away from family.

He isn't like Hendry. If he chooses to play in qualifiers I have every confidence he will zoom back up the rankings in no time. He is still good enough to that unlike Hendry who was a busted flush and chose to take the cowards way out.

Jewell you're not going to get another warning for this garbage, SHOW SOME RESPECT!!!!!

This is worse than Higgins/Reardon/Hendry retiring combined. No joke, this is like Ali retiring from boxing, Fangio hanging up his gloves, Pele and Maradonna throwing their boots in the bin. It's as bad as it gets in snooker.

The world championship is meaningless now, no defending champion, no greatest player ever.

A reminder of why Ronnie really is the greatest ever:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UY15samN7t8