I had a trip down to Staly Vegas Snooker Club to visit Dean Shields this month, an upcoming star in the pool world. While I was there we talked about why he changed from his roots in snooker to compete in pool tournaments, his quick promotion through the ranks and the new Tameside Blackball Singles League he founded 18 months ago and is now going full swing.
So Dean, biggest question first. How does it feel to be a world champion? “Yeah, it’s really good. I only actually played in my first amateur event in 2013 so it’s all happened pretty fast. I entered the singles at the Golden 8 Ball at the Norbreck Castle in Blackpool. I played some good pool and managed to get into the final. It was a really good experience.”
Is that the point where you chose to stick with pool rather than snooker? “I suppose it is. Coming from my performance there I went on to play half a season in the Lancashire B team and a full season in the A team. From there I was given a trial for England and was given a place on the England B2 team. It’s all happened quite quickly. With snooker and building ranking points it takes a lot longer to break into the circuit. I remember when I was younger I played Stephen Hendry’s nephew in one of the ranking tournaments. He beat me 4 - 3 in the end. Even from that it has taken him 10 years before he has started to break into the main circuit. Without the financial back up it’s hard to keep it going.”
What’s the England set up like? “Really good. I played my first tournament in Killarney last October (2015). I put in some good performances and managed to finish the week with the best stats for any B team member from all countries. I was really happy.”
Have you caused a bit of a stir on the International scene then? “You could say that (laughing slightly). I got promoted to the A team, skipping the B1 team completely. It’s given me some excellent opportunities to compete on a world stage. We will be in Killarney again in October for the EBA Worlds and build from there.”
To talk about your World title. What was it like playing under such a spotlight? “You see I didn’t realise how many people were actually watching. In the room itself there wasn’t that many people sat around. The match had gone late into the Sunday night and people obviously had work in the morning. It wasn’t until I came back and found out that thousands had been watching online. People like yourself who said you watched it with your son and finding out a local bar in Stalybridge had streamed the match live in one of their rooms brought it home to me.”
To come from behind, the way you did, and then to end the match with a black ball shootout was gripping viewing. I’d never seen anything like a penalty shootout in a pool game until then.
Was that the most pressure you’ve felt playing pool?
“Yes definitely. I was doing everything I could to stop my hands from sweating and constantly wiping them with a towel. When we went 6 - 4 down I suppose the pressure lifted a little. They had it all to lose while we just had to play our game. Then the black ball shoot out to decide the match, I just had to concentrate solely on the pot. Very relieved when it went in. It also helped having Gareth next to me. He’s had a lot more experience at these events and was a steadying influence.”
So what’s next for you then? Are you looking at the professional game? “Yes that’s where I would like to be, on the pro-tour. To get on you have to earn ranking points from amateur tournaments. The IPA World Championship points won’t be included for this years tour so looking to build for the next one. It also comes down to money at the end of the day. With my career only really just starting out I need sponsors to ensure that I can cover costs of competition entries, travel and accommodation. To enter them all and cover expenses you’re probably talking about me having to raise around £1500 for the year. It’s not easy.”
The Black Ball Rules league you have set up locally, what’s the difference from the regular league rules played in the area now? “Black Ball Rules were introduced to make the game more attacking. League pool, especially in the pubs, has developed into a very cagey game where people play cautiously and cover pockets a lot. Some people were finding it a little tedious and you find matches were going on a long time. With Black Ball Rules you can pot your own ball and an opponents ball in the same legal shot. As long as you strike your ball first you can pot an opponents ball without penalty if your own ball also goes in on the same shot. You can also pot the black ball in the same shot as your own last ball. So if you had one red left, you pot it then the white cannons onto the black and pots it in the same shot you would win the frame. It’s created a more open and exciting game.”
Whilst talking to Dean I’ve been watching the league matches go on over the 4 tables. It’s a very social atmosphere. Games started at around 6:30pm and the last scheduled on the board start around 9:30pm. Some who have played earlier games have stayed behind for a drink and to watch and some who have games later are already here. There’s a mixed standard of players, male and female and everyone here to enjoy themselves. When you look at the 1st Division games, which include county players, there is some high quality pool being played.
The 48 registered players are split into 6 divisions of 8. Everybody plays the other people in their division once in a 4 frame match. 3 points awarded for a win and 1 point for a draw. At the end of each 7 week cycle there are two promoted and two relegated from each league. There is a week break at the end of each season and the 7 game competition starts again. There is prize money for the top two places in each division and in the First Division there is also 3rd place prize money.
I asked Dean how it started and how it’s building.
“If you look up and down the country now there are more and more regions switching to Blackball Rules, especially in the pub leagues. With the game being more open it removes some of the slower more cautious play from the game. Tameside are actually one of only a few parts of the country that hasn’t switched over yet. We literally started this with 48 players which could’ve been a little ambitious but it has worked really well. We have a lot of interest and now even have a small waiting list of people wanting to take part. I hope it carries on for a long time to come.”
I have enjoyed my evening out tonight with Dean and watching the pool go on. When I played league pool myself years ago and the occasional season of darts I sometimes found the atmosphere very intense, especially when everyone is trying to be as quiet as possible as if it were a Crucible final. Here tonight the atmosphere has been competitive but much lighter. People are chatting, smiling and having a laugh at points with the odd ripple of friendly applause. There’s the serious games of course, especially as you come to the close season matches but it all just seems a little more sociable.
To find out more about Blackball Rules Pool and the IPA (International Professional Pool Players Association) go to www.ipapool.com
To watch the IPA World Doubles final in its entirety and see that high pressure black ball shootout finish go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=li9ji83V9yY or search for IPA World Doubles Final 2016.
To find out more about the Tameside Blackball Singles League you will find them on their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/tamesideblackballsinglespool or pop down to Staly Vegas Snooker Club on Grosvenor Street in Stalybridge from around 6:30pm on a Tuesday night and check it out.
If you are a business holder or private investor and would like the opportunity to sponsor Dean in his upcoming seasons drop us an email on SHMD.news@gmail.com or call our office on (0161) 303 9966. A serious local talent needs some support.
