BBC - South West Wales - Hall of Fame

7 December 2009
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Matthew Stevens

Born:	11 SEP 1977
Place of Birth:	Carmarthen
School:	Bro Myrddin, Carmarthen

Famous For: World-class snooker player and 2003 UK champion

Trivia: Matthew is an ardent Llanelli RFC supporter.

Biography: Matthew Stevens is ranked in the world top ten of professional snooker players. Twice a World Championship finalist at the Crucible, he scooped the UK championship trophy in 2003.

Born and raised in Carmarthen, Matthew Stevens took an interest in snooker at a young age. At eleven he made his first century break, and within three years was winning junior tournaments, including the The following Welsh Youth title; he even had special dispensation to leave school early to concentrate on the sport. By the time he was seventeen he had turned professional.

1998 saw Matthew voted Young Player of the Year by the World Snooker Association, and from there there was no looking back. The following year he won the Regal Masters, and reach the finals of the UK Championship for the first time, and in 2000 he won the Benson and Hedges Masters trophy. He reached his first Embassy World Championship final in that same year, going on in 2002 to reach the semi-finals of both the Thailand Masters and the Embassy once more (he would again reach the Embassy semi-finals in 2004), prior to a dramatic return to the final round in the 2005 contest.

November 2003 saw Matthew achieve a long-held ambition - beating Stephen Hendry 10 frames to 8 in a tense final to win the UK Championship, his first world ranking tournament win. He dedicated the win to his late father.

Matthew and Shaun Murphy, at the 2005 World Championships Matthew practises intensively, playing five days a week with an extra three to four hours a day practice on top.

On January 6 2004 Matthew became a dad for the first time when his girlfriend Clare Holloway gave birth to their son Freddie.

He hit the headlines in an unusual way in 2004, when he swapped the green baize of snooker for the poker table. A win in a high-stakes poker game saw Matthew scoop $500,000, beating tennis star Yevgeny Kafelnikov and darts champion Phil Taylor in the televised final of the 888.com Pacific Poker Open. Click here to read more about it in the News Online archive.

It was back to business in the 2005 World Championships in Sheffield, however. Following a winning run of form Matthew was in the final for the second time, this time up against the relatively unknown Shaun Murphy. Despite a world-class performance however it wasn't to be Matthew's night; in a gripping game Murphy finally managed to win 18-16, in a final ranked by many pundits on the night as one of the best ever.

There was even another local twist - Murphy was only the second 'qualifier' to win the World Championship title - the first being Southwest snooker legend Terry Griffiths.

Matthew continues to insist that he's determined to win the World Championship before the end of his career.

It looked like things might have been going Matthew's way again in the 2007 World Championships, when he confidently strode his way through to the quarter finals. However, it wasn't to be. In a thrilling quarter final in the Crucible, Matthew's opponent, former champion Shaun Murphy won six successive frames in a dramatic comeback to beat Matthew 13-12.

BBC Sport Online:
Full report and online video highlights

Moment of Glory: Winning the 2003 UK Championship, and his second appearance in the World Championship finals.

Haf Thomas LLanrug.
...Rydw i yn edrych ymlaen i ddod i Sheffild Dydd Sadwrn nesa. Pob lwc Mathew.(English-language translation: "I am looking forward to coming to Sheffield next Saturday. Best of luck Matthew.")
Tue Apr 22 15:38:46 2008

Rebecca O' Sullivan from Ireland
Hey Matthew, I'm a HUGE fan of yours, if it weren't for you I wouldn't have started watching snooker! Loads of love from your biggest fan! Rebecca. PS: Good luck in the World Championship qualifiers and the China Open! X.
Fri Feb 22 11:07:21 2008

Haf Thomas Llanrug
Rydw i yn ffan mawr ohonat ti. Wyt ti yn mynd i fod yn Sheffield ? (Translation: "I'm a big fan of yours. Are you going to be in Sheffield?")
Wed Feb 13 08:58:59 2008

Katrin from Germany
Hey Matt! For me you're the best! And I'm sure you will take the chance next time and will be world champion. I'll keep my fingers crossed. Your fan Katrin PS: stay as handsome as you are! :-)
Sun Oct 16 16:40:46 2005

Kirsty from England
Matt your my favourite player of all time, keep it going you can do it that world trophy will be your's.
Wed Aug 31 20:16:54 2005

Carina, Belarus
Love him very much and belive he'll reach everything!!
Wed Jun 29 20:30:16 2005

Ann(e) from Germany
It can happen, Matthew. But the time is coming... one day you will be the champion.
"Don´t walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don´t walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside me, and just be my friend."
Good luck and best wishes to Paul, your best friend.
Mon May 16 00:23:41 2005

Pie from the matchroom
Math its only time before you win the world keep it up!
Tue May 10 08:09:05 2005

Richard Schmid from Wales
I really admire you Matthew, I also like it when you bend over the table ...
Mon May 9 12:12:20 2005

Joasia from Poland
Matthew is the best anyway and he looks really well. I'm sure he'll win the champ next time. Matthew Stevens rules!!!
Wed May 4 07:59:33 2005

Jonathan Griffiths, Carmarthen
A world champion in waiting... We're all behind you Matt! You deserve it!
Tue May 3 23:05:06 2005

Kathrin, Germany
I saw the final yesterday, don´t be sad Matthew. There´s a next chance next year. I know you'll make it.
Tue May 3 08:29:01 2005

Laura (Sheffield)
Hi Matthew, just wanted to say you played a blinder in the final and I'm gutted that you just missed out on the title but I think you and everyone else knows your time will come. Well done and I'm looking forward to next year's competition. x
Mon May 2 23:27:30 2005

Ivona from Serbia and Montenegro
Hi Matthew, I start watching snooker because of you. It is not a popular sport in my country because we don't have professional snooker players, but when I saw how you play I become a fan of snooker and of course your big fan. Regards from Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro!!!! Ivona
Thu Apr 28 23:47:37 2005

Oskar, from Radolfzell, Germany
Thanks Matthew, that you´re back!!! I´ve always believe in you, especially the last (demoralizing) year. The best wishes for the champion-title. Trust in you - everything you want is possible!!! Oskar
Fri Apr 15 17:37:22 2005

Bruce Bishop from Harwich Essex
Re- your practice table. Why not donate it to the Club and have standard cushions installed? Then every one will be happy and your appreciation of the club player would be made for all time. Good luck.
Mon Sep 27 10:54:17 2004

Lorraine Osborne.from Middlesbrough.
Matthew is my favourite player I go to see him play whenever I can. I wish him well in the coming season and a long and happy life with Claire and Freddie.
Fri Sep 17 19:58:21 2004

Allann from Canada
Good player, just like Paul Hunter. Will win at least one Embassy championship.If he doesnt, he's Jimmy White number 2.
Thu Aug 12 23:11:46 2004

"harry potter" from " hogwarts"
I Love Matt he is great
Wed May 12 14:25:42 2004

Pen and Jem Llanelli
Matt rocks!!!! Phwoar.
Wed May 5 11:32:16 2004

Sam Weston-super-Mare
He is absolutely gorgeous and is a fantastic player!!!
Thu Apr 29 19:06:58 2004

Becky from B'ham
I don't really watch snooker but I do when Matts playing cos he's got a nice bum. I hope he gets as far as he can so snooker isn't so painful to watch.
Fri Apr 23 17:16:47 2004

Wiebke from Germany
Hi! My english isn't so good, but I'll try it. Matthew is one of my favourite players in snooker. I think that he looks very good and he plays very good snooker. Greets Wiebke
Fri Apr 23 13:44:13 2004