Sheffield snooker: Why snooker matters to city, as Hazel Irvine returns to the Winter Garden

The World Snooker Championships is back in Sheffield again, with residents and visitors packing the city centre to see the action and soak up the atmosphere.

Once again, big name television personalities have taken over a section of the Winter Gardens, with scores of onlookers craning their necks to watch Hazel Irvine going live from the city centre. Crowds gathered to watch as she got ready to broadcast live yesterday, while officials asked people to leave space for people to walk through on the paths.

Meanwhile, others milled around Tudor Square, watching all the snooker related activities going on in front of the famous Crucible Theatre, home of the competition since the 1970s. Giant screens showed the action going on in the theatre.

Among those enjoying the spring sunshine to the busy backdrop of Tudor Square, was Suzy Frost, from Frecheville, Although she is not a big fan of the sport, she likes to see it in the city.

She said: “It’s a bit of an institution at this point. I don’t watch it myself, but my mum and my grandad really enjoy it. They go to see it. It’s just a nice vibe – you're sat in the sunshine, deckchairs out – it’s just nice.”

Bethea Johnson, from Woodseats, agrees that the competition means a lot to the city. She said: “I think it means a lot – I think it's part of Sheffield now, and the fact that when the Crucible was shut down for a year and the snooker players were so desperate to come back, I think that shows how important Sheffield is.”

A few yards away, sitting on one of the benches, was Gary Bruce, from Tinsley. Snooker fan Gary has seen many of the players around the city over the years, from Steve Davies and John Parrot to Ken Doherty. He is a fan who used to play himself and always comes down to have a look when the championships are on.

He told The Star: “I think it brings in plenty of money for a start. I just think it does the city good. I think it's just good for the city.”

Others basking in the Sheffield snooker atmosphere had come from further afield, travelling to the city for the tournament. Among them was Irishman Greg Ludgate, who had travelled to Sheffield from his home in Dublin. He flew over on Monday for the tournament, and sees Sheffield well and truly as the home of the iconic tournament.

He said: “It’s been here for a long time – as far as I know it’s been here since the 70s and 80s. The Crucible is definitely synonymous with snooker and it seems to be the big sporting event that happens here every year.”

Asked what Sheffield was famous for, he said the football teams, and added that the golfer Matt Fitzpatrick was now putting the city on the map.

Steve Heitzman, from Rye, in Kent, had also travelled to Sheffield for the tournament and said he thought it should stay in Sheffield, as the city was the home of the world championships. “Everyone associates it with Sheffield, and coming to the Crucible,” he added.