A 59-YEAR-OLD has written his name into the snooker history books after becoming the oldest player to turn professional.
And Paul Norris is now dreaming of facing the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan, who won back-to-back tournaments earlier this month, and Judd Trump.
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Paul Norris has become the oldest snooker star to turn professional Credit: Getty
The Brit is dreaming of facing Ronnie O’Sullivan Credit: PA
The Brit bagged a two-year card on the World Snooker Tour after sealing a nail-biting 6-5 win over Vinnie Calabrese in the Asia-Pacific Snooker Championship final.
Norris compared his shock achievement to newly-crowned Premier League champions Arsenal delving into non-league for their marquee signing this summer.
And he had no intention of turning professional after only entering the qualifier on a whim.
Norris, who was on the amateur circuit in Sussex before emigrating to Australia, told The Argus: “For a lifelong amateur, it’s a very strange sensation. It’s surreal. Very odd. But it’s just a fluke really.
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“I’m the equivalent of a 39-year-old non-league player signing for Arsenal. I was always a good player. But snooker was just a hobby.”
Norris will make his professional debut at Leicester’s Mattioli Arena on June 10, where he will be gunning for China Open qualification.
And he reckons having nothing to lose could go in his favour as he chases glory against all odds.
Norris, who notched his first century break as a teenager, added: “Success would be winning plenty of matches on the tour.
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“Obviously the dream would be to win an event, but it’s extremely unlikely at my age – it would be like me winning the Ballon d’Or.
“I’m hoping I’ll be a little bit more relaxed and less anxious than they are – and that might have some kind of impact upon the results.
“There’s no pressure on me. I’m just going to have a jolly for a couple of years.”
Norris’ previous career highlight was winning the Champion of Champions – an event for winners of local snooker leagues across the country.
That allowed him to earn a call-up to the England senior side in 2005 before going on to feature at international level in the over-40s category.
And the potter, whose partner Jess Woods is a nine-time Australian women’s snooker champion, has been working on his skills at Castle Snooker & Sports Bar in Brighton.
