Jimmy snookered by lack of support

Unless the support is forthcoming the talented 17-year-old will be forced to take up an offer to live and practice in North London where he doesn't know anyone.

Dad Brian said: "It's tough enough as it is to make it in this sport but to live away full-time, it's a dismal thing to do. He's got great potential but it takes years of grinding. It doesn't happen overnight."

Jimmy's prospects have not been helped by the news that one of his main sponsors, the Q-Ball Snooker Club in Eastbourne, is due to be sold in the next couple of months which would mean his only substantial backing would come from Bexhill's O'Sullivan's club whose new owner Dave Coley has agreed to continue to give him free table time.

The loss of the Q-Ball will put a considerable strain on his chances of getting back on the main tour so he is appealing to local businesses to lend their support. Brian said: "If not there is a great chance Bexhill could lose one of their brightest sporting prospects as Jimmy may have to move out of the area where he has been offered terms in London, but he would much prefer to stay and represent his town."

Jimmy came tantalisingly close to qualifying for the first round proper of the Embassy World Championships at Pontins in Prestatyn, North Wales, winning the first three qualifying matches before losing 5-3 in the qualifying round to Lancashire professional Justin Astley.

The teenager got off to a great start with a 5-1 win over Northern Ireland's Declan Lavery, rattling in breaks of 50, 86 and 89. He then defeated Scotland's Clark Smith 5-2 and went on to win by the same scoreline against Sean Lanigan from Coventry who had been leading 2-0, but runs of 62, 46 and a tremendous 101 booked his place in the qualifying round.

Jimmy's run came to an end at the hands of Astley who now has a great chance of claiming a top 16 place on the challenge tour which would see him promoted to the main tour next season.

Jimmy, who was bitterly disappointed at two mistakes that cost him the match, was still happy with the points he accumulated which have seen him move up the rankings to provisionally 33rd place out of 128, and still in with a good shout at finishing in the top 16 with two events to play next month and the finale in May.

Anyone interested in helping Jimmy would be much appreciated and can contact his manager on (01424) 214684.