Who are the top snooker players from Yorkshire?
The northern county of Yorkshire has produced some of the finest snooker players in the history of the game. With its strong working-class roots and culture of hard work and determination, it’s perhaps no surprise that Yorkshire has nurtured so many talented cueists over the years. Here are just a few of the top snooker players to hail from this proud county:
Joe Johnson
Joe Johnson is perhaps Yorkshire’s most famous snooker player. Born in Bradford in 1952, Johnson turned professional in 1979 and enjoyed his finest hour in 1986 when he won the World Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. Johnson was the first player ever to win the World Championship having had to qualify for the tournament, and his victory over Steve Davis in the final was one of snooker’s all-time great upsets. Johnson’s famous cue action was almost comically short, but he possessed a steely nerve and a rock-solid temperament that enabled him to compete with the best in the world. Johnson retired from professional snooker in 2019, but his legacy as a Yorkshire great will endure for many years to come.
Paul Hunter
Although he was born just outside of Leeds, Paul Hunter will always be associated with Yorkshire snooker. Hunter was one of the most gifted players of his generation, winning three Masters titles and playing a key role in Europe’s famous 2002 Ryder Cup victory over Team USA. Hunter’s career was tragically cut short by cancer, and he passed away in 2006 at the age of just 27. However, the legacy of his talent and his fighting spirit lives on in the hearts of snooker fans everywhere. Yorkshire was proud to call Paul Hunter one of its own, and his memory still inspires young players in the region today.
John Parrott
Liverpool-born John Parrott may not have been a true son of Yorkshire, but he spent much of his career based in the county and represented it with distinction on many occasions. Parrott won the World Championship in 1991, as well as numerous other titles throughout the 80s and 90s. He was also a key member of the BBC’s snooker commentary team for many years, bringing his sharp wit and vast experience to bear on some of the game’s greatest moments. Parrott’s smooth cue action and understated style made him one of the most popular players of his generation, and fans in Yorkshire and beyond still hold him in high esteem today.
Neil Robertson
Although he was born in Australia, Neil Robertson’s Yorkshire connections run deep. His mother hails from the county, and he spent much of his youth playing snooker in the region. Robertson turned pro in 1998 and went on to become one of the most successful players of his era, winning the World Championship in 2010 and reaching the final on several other occasions. His aggressive, attacking style and his prolific break-building have won many admirers, and he is widely regarded as one of the most talented snooker players of all time. Robertson is a true global ambassador for the game, but his roots in Yorkshire will always be an important part of his story.
Kyren Wilson
While he may not have quite the same level of fame as some of the other snooker players on this list, Kyren Wilson is a rising star in the world of snooker and is quickly becoming one of Yorkshire’s greatest sporting exports. Born in Kettering but based in Sheffield, Wilson turned professional in 2010 and has since won several ranking titles, including the prestigious Shanghai Masters in 2015. He also reached the final of the World Championship in 2020, narrowly losing out to Ronnie O’Sullivan in a thrilling match. Wilson’s gritty determination and natural talent mark him out as one to watch in the years to come, and he could easily go on to become one of Yorkshire’s all-time greats.
So there you have it – a snapshot of just a few of the top snooker players from Yorkshire. Each player on this list has left their mark on the game in their own way, and their contributions to snooker will always be remembered by fans and players alike. Yorkshire’s passion for snooker runs deep, and it’s clear that the county will continue to produce some of the best players in the world for many years to come.
