“Words can’t describe how I am feeling. I’m just absolutely buzzing and speechless,” said Parsons. “I’ve always been talented, but I seem to play my best against better players. It makes me raise my game.”
Riley Parsons
Introduction
Riley Parsons comes from Cannock, Staffordshire, the same area as the legendary, former professional, Steve James. Born in 2000, Parsons is a player who as an amateur, represented England at the 2018 EBSA European men’s championship in Sofia, Bulgaria. Parsons is another hopeful in this month’s World Championship qualifiers and after a poor season, is aiming to play on the Crucible’s stage for the first time.
Career
Parsons turned professional in 2019 after qualifying via the Q School, Event Two in Wigan. The Englishman defeated Alexander Ursenbacher, Daniel Womersley, Chae Ross, Callum Lloyd and finally Peter Lines. This earnt him a two-year tour card from the start of the 2019/20 World Snooker Tour.
However he was unable to win a match on his first season of the tour. He did though win his opening match of the 2020-21 season with a 5-4 victory over Soheil Vahedi at the 2020 European Masters. Riley also reached the second round of the Snooker Shootout in the same season.
Parsons has had a large number of losses in the first round of tournaments. However he wouldn’t have made the hallowed professional tour of 128 players if he wasn’t good. He earned his place fairly and squarely through the Q School and still has time to improve, potentially through the World Championship qualifiers. He also works with the Peak Performance Mind Coach, Noel Flannery.
Riley’s highest professional break is 138, attained at the 2021 Gibraltar Open and had his highest ranking of 98 in September, 2020 and is currently ranked at 118. He has made four century breaks and has made £7.000 in career earnings.
