Stevens and Hunter

7 March 2007

Matthew Stevens and Paul Hunter were the best friends in snooker and in life. But in 2005 Hunter was diagnosed 18 months ago with neuro-endocrine tumours, a rare form of cancer which causes slow-growing tumours in the lining of the body to release excessive amounts of hormones.

He underwent several gruelling courses of chemotherapy in hope of beating the disease, but to no avail. He died on Monday, October 9, evening at the age of 27, having only a couple of days left before his 28th birthday.

Willie Thorne, a BBC commentator and former professional, said: "Deep down I think we all thought he was going to beat the disease. He was one of the best-looking snooker players we ever had and had a heart like a lion. He lit up the stage when he played, was a very flamboyant player and there will be a big hole in everybody's hearts for the next year or so"

Many of Hunter's fellow professionals were due to form a guard of honour for their friend's coffin. Ronnie O'Sullivan, Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis, Jimmy White, Ken Doherty, John Higgins, Mark Williams, Ryan Day, Dennis Taylor, John Parrott, Willie Thorne, John Virgo, Joe Johnson, Alex Higgins, Joe Swail, Michael Holt, Stuart Bingham, Mike Dunn, Peter Ebdon, Shaun Murphy, Jimmy Michie and Stevens, Hunter's closest friend on the circuit, were among those who gathered in Yorkshire to pay their respects to the three-times Masters champion. Matthew Stevens was one of the pallbearers at the service.

Hunter once described his friendship with Stevens as a 'brotherly bond' that blossomed from their first meeting in 1990 when they clashed at a youth tournament in Great Yarmouth.

Paul recalled: "We used to play snooker at the same junior tournaments. I'd notice him now and again but we really became friends thanks to our dads. As a junior, when I finished playing games I'd go to find my dad so he could buy me a glass of pop or some crisps. He'd normally be with Morrell, Matt's dad, sharing a pint. Matt would be there too and so we'd talk and that's how we got friendly. Our first game against each other was at Great Yarmouth when I was about 12. He beat me in the quarterfinals of that tournament, three games to two. Since then we've always enjoyed a laugh together, actually I don't think we've ever had an argument".

"We shared rooms at tournaments, we shared managers, our dads were mates, our wives are mates and we spoke on the phone most days", - recalled Stevens.

The Carmarthen cueman was devastated when he heard his friend was diagnosed with a rare form of stomach cancer in March 2005 - and Stevens admitted earlier this year: "Paul has been so strong. It has been hard to watch my mate endure the pain of cancer, especially when I can't do anything about it".

"I keep expecting him to turn up to play then remembering he's gone. It's been really hard for the past 18 months. But I was overwhelmed by the support for Paul at the funeral and to be a pall-bearer was a real honour for me".

"I don't think you ever come to terms with your best mate's death whoever you are. It still hasn't sunk in. Every tournament will be difficult from now on because we shared digs. It's kind of lonely now. I miss him and snooker misses him as Paul was a popular and lovely bloke. It's been difficult for everyone, but we've all taken strength from his wife Lindsey. The way she's coped and handled the grief shows terrific character. But she knows Paul would have wanted us all to get on with it, he was that kind of guy. Throughout the 18 months he had cancer, I never heard him moan once. He'd put a brave face on things, turn up at tournaments and carry on as if nothing was wrong. Paul could have been forgiven for feeling a little sorry for himself as chemotherapy is horrible, but he'd always be having a laugh. Paul helped me get through. His funeral was an incredibly emotional day and so tough. He'll be remembered as a guy who liked a laugh, but liked the simple things. He'll never be forgotten".

Matthew Stevens knew the pain of the terrible loss - his mentor, best friend and dad Morrell's sudden death from an aneurism hours after his son's first round defeat to, ironically, Hunter in 2001 caused psychological scars that seemed to resurface each time the Carmarthen cueman returned to the Wembley Conference Centre. May be that"s why he never won a match at Masters since 2000 when he took that trophy.

But the Masters was the tournament where his best friend Paul got his most significant success. Hunter won it three times: in 2001, 2002 and 2004, every time by a 10-9 scoreline after recovering an apparently insurmountable deficit.

After Paul Hunter's death it was offered to rename the Masters tournament. But it wasn't accepted and Stevens was upset that World Snooker hasn't honoured his friend's memory at the tournament he once dominated. Hunter's boy band good-looks and Masters love affair ensures he'll forever be remembered as the darling of Wembley.

Paul Hunter's widow Lindsey and Masters fans' favourite Jimmy White support Stevens' belief that the winner's crown should be renamed the Paul Hunter trophy. He said: "There's support for renaming the tournament The Paul Hunter Masters, but even if the organisers honoured his memory by honouring the trophy in his name, that would be fitting. I think 99.99 percent of the players would be very much in favour of that. I can't understand why the organisers haven't embraced the idea as it would have been a nice touch. I'm not sure if Paul would have wanted all of this fuss, but he did so much for The Masters and snooker.

In a time when the game needed characters, along came Paul. He had that star quality complete with striking blond hair, blue eyes and a constant smile. He had the X-factor and everyone loved him. His style and looks helped raise the profile of the game to youngsters and they turned up in their droves - including girls! He had everything so Paul should be honoured in some way".

Snooker bosses have decided not to rename the Masters trophy or tournament but this year's German Open pro-am invitational tournament in Furth will be known as the Paul Hunter Classic in memory of the Englishman.

Based on www.worldsnooker.com materials