Anthony Hamilton set to retire after Q School failure ends 34-year snooker career, coaching move up next - 'I've done alright'
Published 02/06/2025 at 18:32 GMT+1
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Anthony Hamilton feels the time is right to announce the end of his 34-year playing career after failing to regain his place on the Wold Snooker Tour circuit at Q School in Leicester. The man famously dubbed 'The Sheriff of Pottingham' turned professional in 1991, and won his solitary ranking title with a 9-6 win over Ali Carter in the final of the 2017 German Masters at Berlin's Tempodrom.
'Terrific' - Hamilton pots back-to-back beauties against Brecel
Video credit: TNT Sports
Anthony Hamilton is set to focus on coaching snooker rather than extend his 34-year professional playing career after failing to regain his tour card at Q School in Leicester.
Hamilton finished 69th in the rankings last season, forcing him to battle for one of the eight tour cards at the city's Mattioli Arena.
But defeats in the last 32 of event one, 4-2 to Patrick Whelan, and the last 64 of event two, 4-2 to Umut Dikme, has signalled the death knell on a playing career that began in 1991.
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Hamilton has battled neck issues and also struggled with his eyesight in recent years, but finished with 326 centuries, reached world No. 10 in 2000, and won his solitary ranking trophy with a 9-6 win over Ali Carter in the 2017 German Masters final.
He joins fellow ranking event winners Joe Perry and Dominic Dale in announcing their retirement from the main tour.
"I’ve been playing various forms of bad since I was 36 when my neck went. So I got used to that, but it was really bad at the end," he told Metro.
"In 2006 the consultant said I’ve got about three or four more years left in me, so I’ve done alright. I did half the amount of work as I used to and I’ve changed the way I played.
"I will miss the routine, but hopefully I can exchange that routine for a new routine of coaching and trying to help players.
"If we work together, then I’ll be all in for you as a person. I’ll answer the phone almost 24/7 because I know players are a little bit emotional and they need to get some feedback almost immediately when they’re going through a bad spell.
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"That would be for pros, but I’d love to coach juniors as well, anyone that wants to come for a bit of coaching I’m up for trying to help, any standard.
"My plan is to be an old school coach for the pros, but with a fair amount for the public as well."
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