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Matthew Stevens

Postby Tubberlad

I read an article concerning Matthew Stevens perhaps going one further in 2010 than he did in 2000 and 2005. As much as I would love such a thing to happen, I'm afraid the article made me laugh more than it lifted my spirits.

I'm a massive Stevens fan, I've got to admit. No player comes close for me. I will never forget my delight when he put away the crucial pink in the 2003 UK Final. Nor will I forget how agonising it was to watch him lose against Murphy in the 2005 World Final. It never even crossed my mind that he would lose to a qualifier, and at 10-6 I went to bed that night a happy kid. But I still wince at the thought of that second day. As Murphy came back, I felt physically sick. One Murphy went in front, I knew in my heart Matthew was gone, even when he pulled it back to 16-16.

Two years later, I watched as he cooly controlled his quarter-final with the same man, playing some excellent snooker to lead 11-5. I stayed home from school the following day, to watch him cap it off. I don't think I need to tell you anymore, we all know what happened.

Matthew's career ended that day, it pains me to say. He has only shown flashes of what he's truly capable of.

I got to meet Matthew a few years back, and I was immediately struck by how nice a guy he was. Some players wouldn't give you the time of day, but for Matthew, signing autographs and talking to fans seemed no problem. Along with Higgins (sorry Witz), Ebdon (much to my surprise) & the late Paul Hunter, Stevens was one of the lads who came across exceptionally well to me.

I'll never stop my support for Matthew, and if he did win the World Championship, I'd be the happiest man in Ireland. But there's a few reasons why this will never happen.

1) Matthew does not have the bottle in comparison to other top players. This has been proven time and time again.

2) Matthew has never looked the same player since Paul Hunter died. I know losing his Dad was tough, but it happens most people at some stage. Losing your best friend as young as he did would have been tougher I reckon, although it's not for me to say.

3) Matthew has too many demons at the Crucible.

4) Matthew is too lazy to be a World Champion. He refuses to learn how to play with the rest, opting to play left-handed instead. Let's just say he's no Ronnie.

5) Matthew doesn't care enough about snooker. He's been through a lot in his private life, and I think that he'll be devoting himself to his wife and kids rather than a snooker table. And I would commend him for that.

6) He had his chances. He didn't take them.

Matthew was an excellent player at his best, particularly over longer formats. He always started slowly, which is why he could never do it over shorter formats, but was a bit of a comeback specialist.

But in recent years, he has looked a shadow of his former self, with last year's loss to Martin Gould being the nadir. Too many battle scars on and off the table. I'd like to praise the other article, but it's wishful thinking that he'll be World Champion at this stage.

Not that it blights my opinion of the man in any way. He's a top guy, and will always be my favourite player.

Re: Matthew Stevens

Postby Tubberlad

StalinESQ wrote:shame to have all that talent but just not use it fully, frustrating for those of us with not even an iota worth of his talent ...... <ok>

True enough lad <ok>

Re: Matthew Stevens

Postby JohnFromLondonTown

He was in a Pro Am comp in Jan '95 that I played in a week or 2 before I moved over here. Only a boy. He was good mates with Robin Hull at the time. Anyway, word had it then was that as soon as he passed his driving test he was being given a BMW to take any pressure of him poke wise. Which is what happened.

I wonder if they knew something then about him? :chin:

Re: Matthew Stevens

Postby Tubberlad

There is no bucking way I would buy my son a car, let alone a Beamer :chin:

Re: Matthew Stevens

Postby JohnFromLondonTown

thetubberlad wrote:There is no bucking way I would buy my son a car, let alone a Beamer :chin:

Dad never bought it, it was the people managing him. Think what you want, it happened.
Terry Griffiths was given £1 million by Barry Hearn when he signed him. Barry Hearn told him to forget about money now & concentrate on your Snooker. That happened too.

Re: Matthew Stevens

Postby Tubberlad

Ah, I see, my bad.

And what do you make of it John?

Re: Matthew Stevens

Postby JohnFromLondonTown

thetubberlad wrote:Ah, I see, my bad.

And what do you make of it John?

Good luck to them. <ok>

I certainly wouldn't say no, though I did turn down a sponsor with a car in '93. That happened too. Another 'something' that I have to put down to experience. <doh>

Re: Matthew Stevens

Postby kostasmad

I dont know whether I have said this story, but i met Stevens, 6 years ago in a bar in Carmanthen. I was there to visit some friends. So, I had my camera with me and asked for a photo. Not only he didnt feet bad, but he was very polite and asked me where i was from. We talked about Greece and the islands cause he wanted to visit some of them with his partner. Also, he bought me my drink. After that, he is by far one of my fav sport personalities ever.

Over the years I've met many snooker players with Hamilton, Dale, Higgins, Lee and Ebdon coming across as very friendly.

On the other hand Allen can kiss my greek ass

Re: Matthew Stevens

Postby Witz78

kostasmad wrote:I dont know whether I have said this story, but i met Stevens, 6 years ago in a bar in Carmanthen. I was there to visit some friends. So, I had my camera with me and asked for a photo. Not only he didnt feet bad, but he was very polite and asked me where i was from. We talked about Greece and the islands cause he wanted to visit some of them with his partner. Also, he bought me my drink. After that, he is by far one of my fav sport personalities ever.

Over the years I've met many snooker players with Hamilton, Dale, Higgins, Lee and Ebdon coming across as very friendly.

On the other hand Allen can kiss my greek ass



Never in a month of Sundays !!!!!!!!!!!! :scared:

Re: Matthew Stevens

Postby Casey

kostasmad wrote:I dont know whether I have said this story, but i met Stevens, 6 years ago in a bar in Carmanthen. I was there to visit some friends. So, I had my camera with me and asked for a photo. Not only he didnt feet bad, but he was very polite and asked me where i was from. We talked about Greece and the islands cause he wanted to visit some of them with his partner. Also, he bought me my drink. After that, he is by far one of my fav sport personalities ever.

Over the years I've met many snooker players with Hamilton, Dale, Higgins, Lee and Ebdon coming across as very friendly.

On the other hand Allen can kiss my greek ass


Why what did Allen do to you? :chin:

Re: Matthew Stevens

Postby Witz78

case_master wc wrote:
kostasmad wrote:I dont know whether I have said this story, but i met Stevens, 6 years ago in a bar in Carmanthen. I was there to visit some friends. So, I had my camera with me and asked for a photo. Not only he didnt feet bad, but he was very polite and asked me where i was from. We talked about Greece and the islands cause he wanted to visit some of them with his partner. Also, he bought me my drink. After that, he is by far one of my fav sport personalities ever.

Over the years I've met many snooker players with Hamilton, Dale, Higgins, Lee and Ebdon coming across as very friendly.

On the other hand Allen can kiss my greek ass


Why what did Allen do to you? :chin:


It was Higgins i was referring to...... :no:

But since you mentioned Allen ill give my personal opinion of the guy off the table.

He comes across as a lazy person, always seems to be cutting about in tracksuits too - maybe he should actually do a bit of exercise :stir:

He seems quite shy and uncomfortable with any attention he does recieve too. A cracking player but he needs a personality transplant IMO

Re: Matthew Stevens

Postby Tubberlad

Witz78 wrote:
kostasmad wrote:I dont know whether I have said this story, but i met Stevens, 6 years ago in a bar in Carmanthen. I was there to visit some friends. So, I had my camera with me and asked for a photo. Not only he didnt feet bad, but he was very polite and asked me where i was from. We talked about Greece and the islands cause he wanted to visit some of them with his partner. Also, he bought me my drink. After that, he is by far one of my fav sport personalities ever.

Over the years I've met many snooker players with Hamilton, Dale, Higgins, Lee and Ebdon coming across as very friendly.

On the other hand Allen can kiss my greek ass



Never in a month of Sundays !!!!!!!!!!!! :scared:


To be honest Witz, I don't think it would have come across too great to me either if you went up to someone who'd just been knocked out of the World Championship and asked him who'd win. I'd have smashed your head in with a barstool <laugh>

I met Higgins when I was ten, and he was very polite, gave me an autograph and talked away to me :) nice guy

Ronnie didn't come across too badly either I might add <ok>

Re: Matthew Stevens

Postby Witz78

thetubberlad wrote:
Witz78 wrote:
kostasmad wrote:I dont know whether I have said this story, but i met Stevens, 6 years ago in a bar in Carmanthen. I was there to visit some friends. So, I had my camera with me and asked for a photo. Not only he didnt feet bad, but he was very polite and asked me where i was from. We talked about Greece and the islands cause he wanted to visit some of them with his partner. Also, he bought me my drink. After that, he is by far one of my fav sport personalities ever.

Over the years I've met many snooker players with Hamilton, Dale, Higgins, Lee and Ebdon coming across as very friendly.

On the other hand Allen can kiss my greek ass



Never in a month of Sundays !!!!!!!!!!!! :scared:


To be honest Witz, I don't think it would have come across too great to me either if you went up to someone who'd just been knocked out of the World Championship and asked him who'd win. I'd have smashed your head in with a barstool <laugh>

I met Higgins when I was ten, and he was very polite, gave me an autograph and talked away to me :) nice guy

Ronnie didn't come across too badly either I might add <ok>


i didnt exactly just walk up and say to him "who do you think will win?"

I went up and said something like "unlucky in Sheffield John, better luck next year" for which he acknowledged me, but then when i said "so, whos your tip to win it now" he turned all awkward and into a idiot to be honest.

I must have touched a nerve or something. The impression i got was that he didnt mind the occasional niceities from fans / public, but anyone trying to coax more than a few words out of him, was out of luck.