Chris Small
Want to master snooker or pool? Chris Small, a true Scottish snooker legend and Master Coach, offers unparalleled coaching right here in Edinburgh!
About
If you're looking to sharpen your cue skills in Edinburgh, you simply must visit Chris Small! This former professional snooker player and LG Cup winner has channeled his incredible grit and talent into becoming a Master Coach. You'll find him working his magic in his dedicated snooker room at home in Edinburgh, where he's passionate about bringing through new talent and helping players of all levels. And here's an insider tip: he even offers pool coaching too, so it's a real gem for any cue sport enthusiast looking for top-tier instruction from a true 'Snooker's Braveheart'.
Coach
Chris Small began coaching snooker and pool in 2006, transitioning from a successful professional playing career that was cut short by a spinal condition. He is dedicated to helping players of all levels, from youngsters to established amateurs and aspiring professionals, improve their game through hard work and focused attention, drawing on his own determination and positive thinking.
Snooker
Chris Small offers snooker coaching in a dedicated, purpose-built snooker room at his residence in Edinburgh.
Full Bio
Christopher "Chris" Small was born on 26 September 1973 in Scotland. He is a retired Scottish professional snooker player and a qualified snooker coach. His professional playing career, which spanned from 1991 to 2005, was cut short due to the spinal condition ankylosing spondylitis. Small achieved a career-high ranking of 12th in the world during the 2004/05 season and won one ranking title, the 2002 LG Cup. He also secured one minor-ranking title, the 1992 Benson & Hedges Championship. His career earnings total £580,300, and he achieved a highest break of 141 twice, with 51 career centuries. Small's passion for snooker began at a young age, receiving his first table at eight. By 13, he was club champion and had made his first century break. He quickly rose through the junior ranks, becoming the Scottish under-16 champion at 14 and the Scottish under-19 champion at 15, before John Higgins took over his number one ranking. He turned professional at 16, and after leaving his bank clerk job for full-time snooker, he became the youngest player to win a match on debut at the Crucible Theatre, defeating Doug Mountjoy 10-7 in the 1992 World Championship. He reached the semi-finals of the Welsh Open in 1995 and the 1998 Grand Prix. His most significant victory was the 2002 LG Cup, where he beat Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins, ultimately defeating Alan McManus 9-5 in the final, despite his ongoing medical condition. In 2000, Small was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, a spinal disease that caused him immense pain. Despite a doctor advising him to give up, his determination led him to continue playing, achieving his dream of winning a ranking event and entering the world's top 16. However, his condition worsened, and he retired from professional play in September 2005 after a disastrous 2004-05 season where he lost all his ranking tournament matches. He applied for a grant from a trust fund for players facing hard times from the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association but was rejected due to his refusal to provide a £250 medical certificate, a decision criticised by other snooker personalities. Small began coaching in 2006, but health issues forced him to stop in 2009. With new medication, he returned to coaching in 2012, building a clientele of junior and adult players. He is an official IBSF & The Snooker Gym Master Coach, having passed a rigorous six-day course with a 100% pass mark. He coaches from a dedicated snooker room at his home in Edinburgh and also offers pool coaching. His most successful coaching story is Michael Leslie, whom he coached from age 12 to become Scotland's number one junior player, a European Under 21s champion, and a professional player.