The Aussie snooker ace explains why John Terry asked him for help to beat Spurs
Lewis Watson
What’s the first game you attended?
A 2-0 win for Chelsea over Aston Villa in the Premier League in 2008, when Chelsea were on a crazy run of games without losing at home. Joe Cole and Nicolas Anelka both scored in the first half, and I remember Frank Lampard playing out of his skin. After that, I was a good luck charm at Stamford Bridge. My record was ridiculous – something like 22 wins and one draw.
What do you like most about going to a match?
Nothing beats coming off the train at Fulham Broadway station and seeing all the supporters walking towards the stadium. I love the buzz, the police on horses, the stands selling programmes and the smell in the air. Also, I always like to get to the ground early to watch the warm-ups, like going to the cinema early for the previews!
Who was your biggest hero?
It feels funny saying ‘hero’, as these guys would have been a similar age to me, but I guess it’s a collective of that spine from the 2004-05 title-winning team: Petr Cech, John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba. That side was unbelievable. I was heavily inspired by Eidur Gudjohnsen and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink – that team of around 2001 was why I grew attached to Chelsea – but if I had to pick one player, it would be Terry.
Which Chelsea player, past or present, would have made the best snooker player?
Terry, without a doubt. He took a frame of nine-ball pool off me at Cobham. I was invited down for the day and we had a game – I broke and he cleaned up without missing a shot! Apparently he’d always win the pool competitions at the club. We’ve stayed good friends since. Before the ‘Battle of the Bridge’ game between Chelsea and Spurs in 2016, he even texted me and asked me to go, as he knew I was on this lucky streak of home matches and couldn’t bear the thought of Spurs winning the title! He’s superstitious. Sadly I couldn’t go, though it turned out that I wasn’t needed in the end.
Have other Chelsea players kept in contact?
A lot of the lads seemed to like snooker – Thibaut Courtois and Paulo Ferreira as well. My son is a goalkeeper, and Courtois has been great at texting and giving him pieces of advice.
Who from your club’s past would you bring back to thrive in the current side?
I know Chelsea have got so many attacking options right now, but watching Eden Hazard beat defenders was just ridiculous – he was unplayable on his day. A prime Hazard could win you the match on his own, and he often did.
Which player did or do you admire even though they never featured for your club?
I’ll avoid saying the
