By Elliott West
“For me, it’s the only risk to the World Championship being at the Crucible. It’s our flagship event and for all intents and purposes, it doesn’t have any of those nice touches that other major sporting events have, like the Masters golf, the Open, Wimbledon. World Snooker have tried to go down that road with the Century Club at the Masters and it works, and it’s weird that our flagship event doesn’t have any of that”.
Shaun Murphy
Introduction
There always seems to be an air of dissatisfaction before the start of the World Championship and this year is no exception. Judgment Day may be on the mind of those left in the World Championship qualifiers but for a few others, this is not the topic of conversation. Shaun Murphy has just done an interview with Sporting Life, telling them that he feels that the World Championship may have to move away from the Crucible due to its lack of corporate facilities. Unlike other sports such as golf and tennis where an array of tents can be seen outside the venue to cater for the sportspersons, sponsors and VIPs, Murphy feels that this prestigious tournament, the highlight of the snooker calendar is lacking.
The Achilles Heel
Shaun is a stalwart of snooker and extremely proud of its history and his involvement as an ambassador to promote it, stating that he would be heartbroken if the World Championship were to move. The Century Club with VIPs having the luxury of sitting in a bar/restaurant, constructed in a glass box at the back of the Alexandra Palace venue, clearly was a draw and winner for the Masters and private boxes have also worked here and a private soft seating area behind the table.
However, there is a clear void at the Crucible. A room is set aside for the players and guests but it is really just a chill-out area and a place to mingle. Those that decide to pay for a VIP ticket, get a meal, some complimentary drinks, a programme and a radio earpiece for the commentary.
Murphy also shares Neil Robertson’s view that the venue is too cramped and small. In fact, he believes that the theatre had actually got worse since they levelled the floor out during a refurbishment ten years ago which actually made it worse. People knock into the tables and bottles of water are in danger of exiting stage left or right.
Table Troubles
“I just want to know whose idea it was to change the table round – and to put it upside down. How is that possible?”.
Stephen Maguire
Elsewhere, trouble has been brewing at the World Championship qualifiers with an outspoken Scot, brave enough to speak out. Stephen Maguire came out with an angry outburst, claiming that he wants people sacked for the table setup and describing the venue as ‘garbage’. Maguire’s main gripe is that the tables are provided upside down with the black spot at the wrong end of the table positioned at the end where the audience is. A blunder that he has never witnessed in his snooker career and is very confusing for those that have to play on them. It is difficult enough to qualify but this error of judgment doesn’t help matters.
Afterthoughts
You could call these outbursts pre-Crucible jitters but every argument has elements of validity and these players are in and out of venues across the globe and should in theory know best. Tweaks in any sport are necessary, they refresh the sport involved and enthuse the audience involved. Adapting and adopting is key and should always be a golden rule.
The Crucible venue has been a staple diet of snooker since Mike Watterson brought the World Championship to the theatre in 1977 and it would devastating if this tournament moved elsewhere. Yes the theatre has its downsides, the chairs often give you a numb bottom and the venue can be stifling hot. However, it works and acts as a cauldron for drama and suspense. A place where you are literally in touching distance of the players. To deny the fans the right for an annual pilgrimage to this hallowed setting would be criminal, it may put more bums on seats and increase ticketing venue but the tournament would be devoid of that Crucible magic that this Sheffield building offers.
In terms of the tables being wrong at the World Championship qualifiers, well that can be boiled down to an error of human judgment. To say people should be sacked, as a result, is probably on the harsh side and I would probably say that should be recognised as a mistake and ironed out for the qualifiers next year. With the event almost over, this is more of a parting shot by Stephen Maguire and it should be noted that he has adapted and survived so far. It makes a headline but is more of a rant, seeing red at the moment and taking the role of judge and jury at the time.
