Wakelin finally in driving seat

FORMER Asda driver Chris Wakelin delivered the goods yesterday to clinch a Crucible debut.

The 26-year-old thrashed China’s Tian Pengfei 10-1 to secure his place in the Betfred World Championship for the first time.

Wakelin’s route to the top has been a rollercoaster ride. The world No55, above, earned his place on tour five years ago only after his opponent snapped his own cue in their pivotal Q-School match.

Wakelin also overcame severe depression – and supplemented his income by dropping off the shopping in Warwickshire. He will never forget a whipround from his former Asda colleagues that helped keep him afloat.

Even during the toughest days, stuck in the snow on country roads, Wakelin never stopped believing he could fulfil his snooker talent and said: “I hope it is an inspiring story to other amateurs or struggling pros.

“Four years ago I was still driving my Asda delivery van around Warwickshire. I actually loved that job and Asda gave me a lot of time off and worked my hours around snooker tournaments. I am very grateful for that and I still speak to a lot of my old colleagues and friends.

“At one stage they had a fund-raiser when I was a new pro to help towards my tour expenses and gave me £1,000. I want to do these people proud.

“I went to houses, worked in the store, pushed trolleys in freezing cold, wearing gloves, hat and coat.

“The toughest days out on the road were when it was snowing, Warwickshire is a hilly county and we used to get stuck. But that was part of the job.

“In snooker a tough day is being 9-6 down, but we could be down a pit working a 12-hour night shift not seeing the sun. I am privileged now, and want to push on from my best season.

“I worked hard and dreams can come true. It was an unbelievable feeling to earn my place at the Crucible.

“One of my earliest snooker memories was watching Mark Williams make his 147 at the Crucible in 2005. My dad recorded it and I watched it thinking it was live.

“Having made it there finally myself, these are the things that come through your head. It will be amazing to play there for the first time.

“I hadn’t even thought about who I play or getting a new waistcoat until I was through. I have got two days for that now.”