HALLE CUE JAH!
Hotshot Allen on ‘crazy’ ride back to redemption
MARK ALLEN admitted it has been a “crazy” roller coaster last 15 months from almost leaving snooker to the biggest win of his career.
The 36-year-old from Northern Ireland produced a superb comeback to beat Ding Junhui 10-7 and claim a first UK Championship crown.
Allen, up to No.5 in the world rankings, is the dominant force on tour having also defended his home tournament in Belfast and reached the final of the British Open.
But just last year, Allen’s life was in turmoil as off-table financial and personal problems came to a head.
The player was mired in legal issues having declared himself bankrupt.
Allen was also involved in divorce proceedings with former wife Kyla McGuigan, and a child support battle with ex-partner and 12-times women’s world champion Reanne Evans, who is now on the main tour.
At one time Allen – who admits his own actions contributed to the issues – could see no way out and was ready to turn his back on the game.
He still will not receive all of the £250,000 first prize from York – but there is a guaranteed income plan in place that has stabilised his life.
Allen, who also lost five stone over the summer and has been working with sports psychologist Paul Gaffney, said: “A year ago I had just pulled out of the Champion of Champions.
“So it is crazy how much has changed – and I am in such a good place. Not everything is done yet, but I am close. The weight loss has helped me, as has working with Paul.
“I just never knew what was going to happen from one day to the next.
“You’d wake up and be reading solicitors’ letters and get voicemails saying you owed this much money.
“It was constant for months. I’d go in to practice some days and my solicitor would ring and that ruined your practice. I am just glad those days are behind me.
“I don’t have ‘quit’ in me but I was worried it was being taken away from me, someone taking my livelihood.
“But since my bankruptcy things are different for me financially.
“I will not see all this money, and that is my own fault but I now have a more guaranteed income just to get everything sorted out.”
And having won two of snooker’s ‘Big Three’ given his success at the Masters in 2018, Allen can now focus on trying to claim a first world title at the Crucible in April.