The 1985 world snooker champion Dennis Taylor is looking forward to coming back to Scunthorpe this week.
For the second consecutive year, the town will play host to the World Seniors Snooker Championship.After last year’s hugely successful event, the tournament will once again be held at The Baths Hall.Along with Taylor, seven other legends of the game have been confirmed to play in this year’s tournament with Stephen Hendry, John Parrott, Willie Thorne, Tony Drago, Cliff Thorburn and Tony Knowles also competing.Taylor spoke to the Scunthorpe Telegraph about the event, stating just how much he and the other stars are excited about returning to play in front of the Scunthorpe fans.
He said: "I’m absolutely delighted to be returning and really looking forward to it."The Baths Hall is a great venue, we’ve been there a few times now and it’s nice to have the World Seniors Championship back there.
"We’re also looking forward to the golf day and meeting a few fans playing at Forest Pines – it’s a fantastic occasion and we all look forward to it after last year’s successful tournament."
Festivities begin on Tuesday with a golf day where fans can enjoy a four-ball with one of the snooker legends.
The following day, the tournament begins, with sessions starting at 1pm and 7pm from Wednesday through to the final at 7pm on Saturday.Last year's hugely successful event was streamed to just under three million people in China alone.Taylor was full of praise for Jason Francis, the creator of the tournament, who has organised the events and echoed his thoughts on Scunthorpe becoming the home of the World Seniors Snooker Championship.He said: "It really was fantastic last year. Jason Francis really has done an exceptional job putting this all together.
"Jason has brought the golf day and these senior snooker championships to Scunthorpe and we’re all looking forward to it all.
"There is no reason why it could not be the home of the World Seniors. It is a beautiful venue. Scunthorpe and surrounding people turn up and support it and we all enjoy coming back to play here.
"Hopefully, it remains in Scunthorpe and continues to grow."
During his hugely successful 28-year professional career, Taylor played all around the world and in some of the most prestigious arenas.
But similarly to Joe Johnson, who spoke to the Telegraph last month, Dennis stated that The Baths Hall is up there as one of the best venues he has ever played in.
He said: "It’s a very good venue. I have played at many venues and I really do think that there are not many better venues for this than The Baths Hall.
"We’ve had a bit of fun there in the past with the other legends – but this one will be taking a bit more seriously as we all want to win!
"It’s always a great crowd over in Scunthorpe – the town really loves their snooker.
"The tour is certainly growing in popularity."
Whoever comes out on top in the final will win £10,000 and will earn a spot in the qualifying tournament for the professional World Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield in April.And the 1985 World Champion considers himself and Cliff Thorburn dark horses to win the event, after some serious practicing in Palm Springs, California.Taylor said: "Well, listen, people may write the two old boys off, Cliff Thorburn and me, we’ve recently played in Palm Springs and we fancy ourselves – we’re taking it pretty seriously as we want to win and put on a good performance.
"These younger old boys better watch out for the older old boys!"Speaking to the Telegraph last month, Johnson claimed he was going to win it all, but Taylor disagrees.
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