When Terry Griffiths announced his ‘freelance’ coaching stable of six players in the summer, the name of Michael Holt was one that caught the eye.
Read MoreHOLT HOPING TO MAKE IT BIG WITH GRIFFITHS
HOLT AND FU IN BAGGAGE RECLAIM
There were short-lived scares for both Michael Holt and Marco Fu in China in the monthly game of baggage Russian roulette risked by the top players on their global travels.
Nottingham’s Holt, who enjoyed a fine run to the semi-finals at the Shanghai Masters 12 months ago, arrived with his cue but not his luggage, including all his playing attire. Happily for the world No23, the missing bag turned up from Bangkok on the Sunday night, in time for being one of the first matches on table on Monday afternoon against wildcard Yuan Sijun.
And Fu, flying from London, was reunited even quicker with his luggage which arrived just a few short hours later on a flight from Heathrow.
A TOUCH OF THE GREAT CLOUGH FROM HOLT
Probably not too much doubt as to who won the Brian Clough award for laconic delivery and keeping a radio interviewer on their toes on Wednesday at the Crucible. And hopefully, given Michael Holt’s love for Nottingham Forest, it is at least recognition he would appreciate.
Facing the press after a desperately disappointing display and result against Mark Allen, Holt had to wait some time before the first question. When it arrived: “Tell us about the match”, his answer was short and sweet, “He got to 10 before I did. That’s it. It was there in front of you.” All it needed was a “young man” towards BBC Radio Five Live’s Jamie Broughton and it could have been the great man himself.