WHEN you think of snooker, the iconic Crucible is among the first things to come to mind.
But the legendary Sheffield venue’s future as the World Snooker Championship’s host is far from certain.
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Stephen Hendry has had plenty of success at The CrucibleCredit: Getty
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The iconic venue is the home of the World Snooker Championships – for nowCredit: Getty
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World No1 Mark Allen reckons the competition will move elsewhereCredit: Getty
The 908-seat venue has been the home snooker’s biggest event since 1977.
But a huge change could soon be on the horizon.
The current contract for the world championships to be held at The Crucible ends in 2027.
And the prospect of the tournament moving elsewhere has become a hot topic in the snooker world.
Snooker chiefs seemingly want a bigger venue and many players seem to think the future of the world championships lies elsewhere.
Scots snooker great John Higgins previously spoke about how it would be a “sad day when it leaves here.”
He stated his belief earlier this year that he reckons the world championships WILL move away from Sheffield after 2027.
Three-time champion Mark Williams also reckons the demand is there among the players to move the competition to a more lucrative market, such as Saudi Arabia and China.
The topic of a move from The Crucible came up on Stephen Hendry’s YouTube show Cue Tips.
The seven-time champion quizzed fellow pros on a range of topics.
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And while sat alongside world No1 Mark Allen, The Crucible came up.
Hendry read out: “The Crucible is my favourite place to play snooker.”
Sitting in front of a table, Hendry then places a marker on the “strongly agree ” section.
Northern Irishman Allen, however, isn’t so sure and instead places his marker right in the centre of the table.
Hendry then tells Allen: “Explain then”.
Allen replied: “I haven’t done well enough here for me to be over that part (strongly agree).”
Hendry, a seven-time champion at the iconic venue, is in no doubt.
For him, it IS the best place he’s ever played snooker.
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Debating with Allen, Hendry added: “But you’ve been the one table twice, right? And you didn’t think that was just the greatest place to play snooker? I just think there’s nowhere like it.”
Former UK Championship winner Allen responded: “For me personally, I love playing in York. I love the arena there, I’ve got to three finals there, I’ve won there.
“Playing at the Waterfront in Belfast is always very, very special playing in front of my own fans. Winning there 9-8 against John.”
The chat then turned to the future of The Crucible, with Hendry asking Allen: “Are you in the camp of you’re not bothered if it leaves the Crucible?
“No, I’m not bothered but I wouldn’t be one that’s actively pushing for it to move.
“Again, when it comes to that, I’m right there as well.
Stephen Hendry career achievements
Seven-time World Snooker Champion
Youngest-ever winner of World Championship
Six-time Masters Champion
Five-time UK Championship winner
18 Triple Crown tournament wins
36 ranking titles
Nine seasons as World No1
Awarded MBE in 1994
Two-time BBC Scotland Sports Personality of the Year
“I think for the game to move on, I think it’s inevitable it’s going to move.”
Read more on the Scottish Sun
Hendry then joked: “I never thought I’d see Mark Allen sit on the fence!”
Allen said: “Sorry mate. It’s a strong fence though.”
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Source link : https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/13237207/stephen-hendry-snooker-mark-allen-crucible-sheffield/
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Publish date : 2024-07-28 12:58:25
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