Peter Lines*

Q&A

www.wordlsnooker.com

Starting our summer series of Q&As with World Snooker Tour players is the world No 64 from Leeds, Peter Lines.

How would you sum up last season?

It was very good, I won all of my first round matches, which is difficult these days because there are so many good players coming on to the Tour. That was my target at the start of the season and I managed to achieve it. I wanted to get into the top 64 and I just sneaked in there. My best tournament was the Bahrain Championship where I got to the last qualifying round (beating Jimmy White and Alan McManus) but lost to Stuart Bingham.

What are your targets for next season?

I haven't really thought about it yet because since my coach Steve Prest died I've not really been able to think about anything else.

How much of a blow is it, personally and professionally, to lose Steve?

It's devastating. We turned pro at the same time and we'd been mates for 23 years. I can't put into words how much of a loss it is. He started coaching me when I was on the PIOS a couple of years ago. I was contemplating giving up snooker but he turned my game around and I got back on to the pro Tour.

What would you do if you didn't play snooker?

I work at the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds, so I'd spend more time there, and also working with my 13-year-old son Oliver who has just won the English Under-14 title.

Who are your main practice partners?

Kuldesh Johal, David Grace and Simon Bedford.

It's ten years since you reached the quarter-finals of the China Open (beating John Higgins and Peter Ebdon) and 11 years since your only appearance at the Crucible, and you turn 40 this year. Stephen Hendry recently said that age is not necessarily a barrier to success, would you go along with that?

Yes definitely. I may be about to turn 40 but I still think that's young, as long as you are fit enough and you enjoy it. The main thing is to keep up your enthusiasm for snooker and your dedication to practice.

Your cousin is the former Great Britain rugby league captain Garry Schofield, so do you play any other sports to keep yourself in shape?

Yes, I play football three or four times a week, either five-a-side or 11-a-side for a team called Republica in Leeds. I love it, it's a break from everything.

If there's a player you'd like to see featured in a Q&A or a question you'd like to ask, email your suggestion to blog@worldsnooker.com

I would really like to see Jimmy White answering a few questions in the Q&A.
Dimitris Nasios

I'd like to see Mark Davis featured
Norman Crouch

I would love to see Alan McManus featured
Oliver Manton