Shaun Murphy plea to fans after Ronnie O’Sullivan exit
Wednesday 8th December 2010, 11:30AM GMT.
Snooker star Shaun Murphy has called on more fans to back the 12Bet.com UK Championship in Telford, insisting: “It’s not all about Ronnie O’Sullivan.”
Murphy secured his place in the quarter-finals with a thrilling 9-8 victory over Welshman Ryan Day at the International Centre last night – a day after the enigmatic O’Sullivan’s shock defeat to Stuart Bingham.
But few supporters were in the auditorium to witness Murphy, who won the UK title in Telford two years ago, set up a clash with reigning world champion Neil Robertson in the last eight tomorrow.
“I think it’ll be an interesting game to watch,” said Murphy. “Hopefully there’ll be more than 15 people there watching it.
“I’ve been very disappointed with the crowds and I think it only highlights the type of country we live in.
“The only person who draws a crowd is O’Sullivan and they don’t come to watch his skill, they come to see if he’ll walk out or not.
“They come to see whether he’s going to fall out with somebody and have a barney and leave.
“They don’t come to watch his great break-building, his flair, his touch, his skill – stuff that we as players watch, because he’s very good to watch.
“We live in a country where entertainment has become putting 12 people in a jungle and watching them all shout at each other,” he added, referring to ITV show I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here.
“This week the weather’s been terrible so that will have played a part. But, interestingly, when O’Sullivan turned up there were plenty in his match watching.”
Most Commented
- Shropshire Council will face £8m redundancy bill
- Clampdown on Shrewsbury chuggers
- Bishop's gay marriage views do nothing to support bible teachings
- Letter: Alcohol price plans annoy me
- Planners ordered to stay on Newport visit bus
- Letter: Angered by close encounter of the furred kind
- Letter: No sense in overseas job adverts
Shropshire Star on Twitter
Keep updated with the latest breaking news and content on our Twitter feed.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Shropshire Star and Express & Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
Entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases.
OUR NEW APP
Get the new Shropshire Star app
Download the Shropshire Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
shropshirestar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
because he is the best and intriguing to watch no matter what
Report abuse
Maybe its the fact that snookers just plain boring and as interesting as watching grass grow, not all the people in the country wear anoraks.
Report abuse