Here we are in 2017 still cheering on the people’s champion Jimmy White – 37 years after he first turned professional back in 1980.
The legendary potter of the 1980s and 1990s is proving to be the surprise package at the Northern Ireland Open and is through to the last 32 of the tournament courtesy of wins against Dominic Dale and Jak Jones.
He’s been rolling back the years in style back with a century break and five more over 50 to set up a clash with Chris Wakelin in round three in Belfast.
The Whirlwind, aged 55, was relegated from snooker’s professional tour at the end of last season but was awarded an opportunity to continue competing thanks to a wildcard place on the circuit handed to him by the sport’s supremo Barry Hearn.
White’s run so far this week is evidence that this decision is more than just a pity vote and in fact he can still mix it in the professional ranks. This is the second time this season he has reached this stage of a tournament after he made it this far at the Riga Masters too.
Interestingly, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that Jimmy could go even further with his quarter of the draw no longer including a player ranked inside the world’s top 16 – meaning a golden opportunity for someone lower down the sport’s pecking order to reach the semi-finals.
Even all these years on from White’s heyday, he continues to love playing the game which has made him his fortune and stardom. He practices as religiously as ever and doesn’t seem to be tiring from the fierce competition of playing snooker professionally.
White is of course nowhere near the level he once was when he was a serial event winner but his acceptance of this and ability to play the game for the love means that runs, like we're seeing here, continue to be a possibility.
For old time’s sake, ‘Go on Jimmy!’
