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I am a Class 1 referee and an Examiner. I have officiated at Snooker events around the World and walking out into an arena with hundreds of people in the audience is rarely a nervous event for me anymore. Sometimes I do get 'butterflies' just before getting introduced but as soon as I'm at the table with both players, and the game is under way, the job takes over.
I have been privileged to referee the final of almost every event in the Snooker calendar. My first televised match was on the 31st of March 1995 and was between a very good friend of mine, Billy Snaddon from Scotland and, as master of ceremonies Alan Hughes always introduces him, the "Whirlwind of London Town" Jimmy White. I remember the moment when I was told I was to do my first Televised match. It was shortly before it was due to start which was a good thing because it didn't give me much time to worry about it. I did the match - which Jimmy won 5 - 0 and, when I came off I thought, 'I want more of that', it was a terrific feeling. Since then, I haven't looked back.
A steady progression brought me my first World Ranking Final in the 1997/98 season, my home event, The Regal Welsh Final where Paul Hunter defeated John Higgins. This was Paul's first Ranking win. I have since been in charge of the Welsh Final with John Higgins but this time he won by the tightest of margins 9 - 8 against Stephen Lee.
There is one place, however, that is very special. It has been the home of the Embassy World Championships since 1977. That, of course, is the Crucible Theatre at Sheffield. When we are introduced there, in rounds up to and including the Quarter Finals there are two tables in place. Table 1 is to the right when walking down the steps and Table 2 to the left. Both Referees are introduced and walk down the steps together then separate to their respective tables. The four players are then introduced and the wall separating the tables descends and it is at this point that a new referee to the venue gets a huge shock to discover how small the arena really is. The audience are so very close and probably have one of the best views of any tournaments from any seat.
My most special moment came in May 2001 when I realised every Professional Referees dream, taking charge of the World Final. I had known for some time that it was to be my final and it was to be kept quiet until the official announcement during the tournament. Of course my family knew as they were to be there sharing my dream. It resulted in Ronnie O'Sullivan winning his first World title by defeating John Higgins. In fact 2001 was an awesome year for me. Earlier that year, I was in charge when Ronnie won the China International at Mission Hills, Shenzen, China. Still in 2001, but in the next season, I refereed my very first 147 maximum break. It was that man Ronnie again! I can tell you that I agonised over every shot, my heart pounding in anticipation of witnessing, while refereeing, something I had never done before. Then, in December 2001, I was the 'Man in the Middle' when Ronnie O'Sullivan defeated Ken Doherty 10 - 1 in the final of the UK Championships. It was an awesome display and in my opinion, no one would have been able to beat him on that day.
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