The Global Snooker Centre

A former bank clerk, Chris joined the professionals in 1991/92 and despite only once getting past the qualifiers in the rest of the events, reached the final stages of the world championships at the Crucible where he beat Doug Mountjoy before going out in the second round. That gave him a first-season ranking of 75th but the following year he only managed two last-64 places in ranking events. He did however win the Benson & Hedges Championship giving him a place in the Masters at Wembley where, although he lost his opener, he picked up another large cheque.

Little by way of success followed until the 1995 Regal Welsh where he reached his first semi-final and three last-16 spots in 1995/96 took him into the top 32 at number 30. He reached the quarter-final of the 1997 Grand Prix and the semi-final in the same event in 1998 but it was 1999 before he made his second visit to the Crucible. As in 1992 he won his opener and in the second round gave John Parrott a hard time, only losing on the deciding frame. That took him to his best ranking so far of 18th.

During the last few seasons, Chris has suffered from painful disease of the spine which threatened to end his career but with the help of magnets he has struggled on but his results have suffered. He has however manager to keep his place in the top 32 and is still one of the toughest of opponents. His slow and deliberate style does not make him one of the most exiting to watch but all admire his battle against his illness.

Achievements:

World Professional Championship last 16	1992, 1999, 2001
Regal Welsh Open semi-finalist	1995
Grand Prix semi-finalist	1998
Benson & Hedges Championship winner	1992
LG Cup Champion	2002

Chris Turner

June 2002