MAD BACKS SOBER ACE
James sees club pal Judd win
JUDD TRUMP loves seeing Premier League stars going potty about snooker.
The Judddernaut is into the second round of the Betfred World Championship at the Crucible against Scotland’s Anthony McGill today.
And former world champion Trump was supported at the iconic Sheffield theatre in his 10-4 win against Iran’s Hossein
Vafaei by Leicester playmaker pal James Maddison.
The pair usually meet in nightclubs – so world No.4 Trump was more than delighted that Maddison came to back his bid for a second world crown.
Trump said: “James spoke to me a few weeks back – it was his dad’s birthday and he asked if I could get him tickets.
“I have seen him a few times out at a few clubs when I am drunk – I had never actually seen him when I have been sober!
“It is great for him to come and support me. This is such a big event, this and the Masters in London. They stand out from the rest. There is a prestige and a different atmosphere around these two tournaments, and anything we can do to grow the game and get people in from different backgrounds is amazing for the sport.
“There have been quite a few players who have come out to support me. Matty Cash came last year, and James this year. It is good to have people like that who recognise what I do. In snooker it is only you under the magnifying glass, and the microscope. I am sure he appreciates how hard it is.”
Maddison said: “I met Judd in London – he likes his football and I love my snooker.
“But you can’t ask whether I support him more than Leicester’s Mark Selby. Can you get a draw in snooker? I’d love to see them both do well, so maybe we can get a Trump v Selby semi-final.
“I had a great day at the Crucible – I even got to play on the practice table and meet Stephen Hendry.
“I have been playing with my dad for years. I just love playing snooker, pool as well. And I always watch it on TV – at least when my girlfriend lets me.”