Davis backs Hearn to win over doubters

Steve Davis believes Barry Hearn won over many of his doubters during a crunch meeting where his plans to give snooker a darts-style makeover were debated.

Hearn, who has turned darts into a big box-office sport, is promising more tournaments and higher prize-money, claiming players have been effectively part-time in recent years.

The veteran sports promoter was appointed chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association in December, and will quit that role to run World Snooker if the players back his plans. World Snooker will break away from the WPBSA, and Hearn will take a 51% stake in the business.

The ownership aspect is the sticking point for some players, with Peter Ebdon a vocal opponent.

But Hearn made a strong impression during the behind-closed-doors meeting in Sheffield, where players present included World Championship runner-up Graeme Dott, Davis, Mark Williams, Mark Selby, Shaun Murphy and Ken Doherty.

WPBSA board member Davis recognised that his close association with Hearn, his manager, makes him biased.

But the 52-year-old six-time world champion said: “If I had to try to judge the vibe in the room, I think a majority of concerns were explained and people’s worries were put to rest.

“I do feel that in a face-to-face situation where they listen to Barry and listen to his passion, if there were any major groups of doubters, it didn’t seem by the end of the meeting that they were really that strong.”

There remain those who have little time for Hearn, and believe he has convinced the players to back him simply through his persuasive, charming manner.

Davis told Press Association Sport: “I think the trouble is that if someone is convinced that they’re being conned, the only way of proving them wrong is (looking at the situation) three or four years down the line.

“A lot of the snooker players see some light at the end of the tunnel.

“The only people who’ll be voting will be the players. Obviously there are people whispering (to them), but it’s about the players.

“At the meeting there were a lot of people talking who weren’t players, and one of the players stood up and said, ’You’re talking among yourselves, but this is about us and our future’, and the players started clapping.”

A vote is expected to take place in mid-June, and Hearn said: “There was a spectacular majority of people in favour which pleases me no end and I hope it’s going to be a big vote in favour.”

Hearn believes players will be “terrified” of cheating the system after seeing John Higgins suspended for allegedly agreeing to fix frames.

Higgins has firmly denied wrongdoing and vowed to clear his name following the News of the World allegations that he and his manager Pat Mooney reached a deal in Kiev with an undercover reporter, posing as a businessman, to deliberately lose frames in four matches to be played later this year.

Hearn claimed players would be affected by the Higgins case, and wary of what might happen if they are offered the chance to become involved in shady deals.

Hearn said: “Terrified is a very good word and they should be, because it’s their living and they’re seeing the world number one have his world torn apart.”