Snooker
Exclusive: Mark Allen Calls for Greater Spotlight on New Stars as Class of '92 Nears End
Mark Allen urges World Snooker to promote emerging stars as Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins, and Mark Williams approach retirement, ensuring snooker’s future.
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Mark Allen firmly believes snooker is in safe hands when the famous Class of ’92 eventually hang up their cues.
A Golden Generation Nears the Finish Line
The trail-blazing trio of Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins and Mark Williams famously turned professional together 32 years ago and have been ever-present as the game’s golden generation ever since.
But fast approaching their 50s, it is inevitable that they will sail off into the sunset sooner rather than later.
Their peers have long stopped theorising over when that day will eventually come as their age-defying illustrious careers continue to roll on.
Trump and Wilson: Snooker’s New Rivalry on the Rise
Runaway world No.1 one Judd Trump, 35, and world champion Kyren Wilson, 32, look destined to be the standout rivalry as the sport looks towards the future.
World No.3 Allen, 38, quipped he was “in the pub” whilst Wilson hammered the Ace in the Pack 9-3 to win the Northern Ireland Open last weekend.
However, there is no doubt the Antrim ace is well and truly a part of the new breed of the game’s biggest stars.
Allen Urges World Snooker to Spotlight Emerging Stars
“We've got a new era of guys ready to take it on and I think that's great for the sport,” Allen told SportsBoom.com.
“It's up to the guys at World Snooker to really push us. I'm not saying that because I'm one of them, but they need to push us.”
“If Ronnie decided to retire tomorrow, which he could well do, then what's left?”
I don't see much promotion of the top players outside of Trump if I'm honest. They really need to take that on board. Things are getting better recently, but they could still improve.
Mark Allen
“I think there will be a little drop off when Ronnie leaves whether that be retirement or otherwise.”
"But the game will survive. It’s not as big as one player on their own, it’s much bigger than that.”
“It might take a short time to recover, but there are other good players as well.”
“It’s up to WST now to make sure the other players get the warranted coverage so that whenever Ronnie does drift off into the sunset that the game doesn’t suffer because we have other stars too.”
Legacy Beyond Legends
But Allen is well aware that you write off the Class of ’92 at your peril.
Their dominant glory days may well be behind them, but despite O’Sullivan claiming he “is finished” at the top of the game they are more than capable of producing the old magic.
It was only last season the Rocket won the UK Championship and Masters majors, whilst Wizard of Wishaw Higgins produced a characteristic do-or-die clearance to stun Allen at the World Championship last season.
Welsh Potting Machine Williams came within a ball of winning the mega-money Saudi Arabia Masters earlier this season.
Allen added: “I think we've been here before where we think the Class of 92 are coming to the end and all of a sudden they're winning the following season.”
“They're still unbelievable players. You see the snooker Williams played to win the Tour Championship, he's capable of that on any given week.”
"I think he would even admit himself that the chances of him doing that week-in and week-out are slim.”
“Even John, there are individual performances where he is absolutely unplayable. Ronnie's just a freak of nature, he'll still be winning tournaments into his 50s.”
Shane is a respected journalist who has covered a range of sports for a number of years.