John Welsh
In week 3, we continue our series of ‘Mersey Legends’ profiles with a player who has been one of the most respected players on the amateur circuit for nearly four decades, the reigning and five times Merseyside Open Champion, John Welsh . Here is a rare insight into a player still regarded as one of the best players and coaches on Merseyside.
HONOURS
English over 55’s Champion – 2021
English Amateur Championship – Runner Up – 2022
Merseyside Open Champion: 1986/1987/1994/2001/2019
Mersey Masters Champion: 2011/2012/2016
Liverpool / Wirral Championship Winner: 2015
George Scott Pro-Am – Runner Up – 2019
Merseyside Q School Satellite: 2019
English Over 40’s Snooker Champion – 2005
Numerous England Caps, and a few Pro-Ams
Nickname: I’m not sure if I have one, you will need to ask people what they call me !
Football Team: Liverpool FC
Best Sporting moments:
1. Steve Davis’ first Maximum 147 on TV.
2. Sid Lane’s 103 break at Pontins when he was 76 years young, on an upstairs table with 15 reds where every red ball was a different shade!
3. Stuart Pearce emotionally charged penalty for England (the one he scored v Spain at Euro 96).
Favourite Places to visit: Wales, Lake District, anywhere away from the city.
Favourite Band/Artist: Queen, Human League
Favourite Films: The Matrix, Shawshank Redemption, Training Day, Sin City
Favourite Actor/Actress: Tom Hardy, Paul Newman, Denzel Washington, Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts
Favourite Food: Grilled Mackerel
Favourite Drink: Decaf Tea with Ginger and Manuka Honey
Highest Tournament Break: 142
My First 100 Break: The day I was going to play in my first ever Merseyside Championship when I was about 17-18. My Highest break at the time was 83 and I knocked in a 139 in the last practice frame before we left for the tournament, still in shock, I couldn’t pot a ball and lost 3-2.
Favourite Venue to play : My Old Plessey’s Club in Huyton, unfortunately no longer there. George Scott’s in Liverpool and Sheffield Snooker Academy.
Which player inspired you ? Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry, John Parrott.
What is your best ever achievement? Recovering from a fractured spine caused by a freakish accident in a local park in 2017 and to be able to play again within six months at the George Scott Pro-am, I made a ton in my first match with just four days practice……plus any match I’ve won from being 3-0, 4-1,5-1 etc behind in, too many to mention.
Who is the toughest opponent you have ever played? Myself, everyone else seems normal.
Who is/was your favourite player to watch? John Parrott, Ronnie O Sullivan, Paul Deaville
Special Note: Winning the Merseyside Open for the fifth time in 2019 was very special to me as it was 34 years after my first win……
And Finally…..
If you were playing in the World Final at The Crucible, apart from your family, which 3 celebrities would you invite as your special guests ? I would invite Ian Brumby, Rod Lawler and Ian Doyle. Three great snooker friends. Celebrities don’t interest me!!!!