Snooker: Hunter hatches champion plot

Paul Hunter’s perfect double would to become world champion and for Leeds United to succeed Manchester United as Premiership winners.

Snooker commitments permitting, Benson and Hedges Masters champion Hunter visits Elland Road to watch his heroes in action.

But for the next couple of weeks the Leeds-based professional will be concentrating all his efforts on his own sport.

And he would love nothing more than a home win at the £746,900 UK Championship starting in York’s Barbican Centre today.

‘‘York is new to everyone as a venue but it’s a lovely place and I’m looking forward to playing there,’’ said Hunter, one of only two ‘Tykes’ in the 48-man starting line-up.

‘‘Besides, the UK Championship is the second biggest ranking tournament in the game, so it would be great to win on home soil.

‘‘But my aim is to get my hands on the world championship trophy. I’d rather be world champion than world number one,’’ said the current number nine.

Hunter, 23, finds himself in the top half of the draw and could meet defending champion John Higgins for a place in the last 16 if results go to form.

The former Welsh Open champion faces a tricky opening game against Scotland’s Jamie Burnett or snooker’s latest discovery, Joe Perry.

It was Perry who reached the final of the European Open in Malta last Saturday before losing to five-times UK winner Stephen Hendry.

‘‘I’ll look forward to the challenge of playing John if I do get through,’’ said pin-up boy Hunter. ‘‘I’ve won twice out of the four times we’ve played so it’s not a bad record.

‘‘But first I’ve got to get through my first match and both Jamie and Joe are very good players. I’ve also played well this season but lost a few times.’’

Sheffield’s Antony Bolsover is the other Yorkshireman in the field, and he helps launch the competition today against former top 16 star Anthony Hamilton from Nottingham.

The Barbican Centre is only the fourth venue for the UK Championship since the tournament was held for the first time in 1977 at Blackpool Tower Circus.

The Guild Hall, Preston, was the home until 1997 before three trips to the Bournemouth International Centre.

Players are chasing a £100,000 first prize and a trophy to be presented on December 16.