2015 World Snooker Champion officially opens local club

Stuart Bingham holds exhibition night at 'The Cue Zone IOM'

A former World Snooker Champion was the guest of honour at the official opening of a local club.

Stuart Bingham was supposed to open ‘The Cue Zone IOM’ around 18 months ago, but the event was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He was invited by the club’s owner, Darryl Hill, who previously played with him on the professional tour.

Bingham played exhibition frames against Hill, Island Champion John Kennish and runner-up Peter Kirkham, before taking on members of the audience.

The opponents picked at random included one of the Island’s rising talents, 10-year-old Bailey Campion, and his father Scott.

Bingham told Manx Radio he’d love to inspire the next generation of Manx snooker players:

You can listen to the interview in full with Dollin Mercer:

As well as unveiling a plaque, signing autographs and answering audience questions, the 2015 world champion played some first-class snooker, including a break of 122 in the final frame of the evening.