Ronnie O’Sullivan has revealed that he once had a trial at a Premier League club.
Last week, O’Sullivan continued his dominance in the world of snooker as he clinched the UK Championship for a record eighth time after beating China’s Ding Junhui 10-7.
After his recent triumph, the 48-year-old has now won a total of 22 trophies across the Masters, UK and World Championships.
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However, things could have been very different after O’Sullivan recently revealed during his interview with BBC Sport that he had a trial with a Premier League club.
He said: “There are all my little trophies that I was winning as an amateur. I played many different sports: Tennis, golf, football.
“My dad used to be a footballer and he said 'Let me ring up this fella.' He said 'He's down Tottenham now.' He said 'I'll get you a training session.’”
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O’Sullivan added: “I wasn't really good enough. I only went for one session.
“It was a bit too intimidating for me. I was like the only chubby kid there. So yeah, I just got myself back down the snooker hall.”
O’Sullivan expressed his delight after winning the final in York last week, he said to BBC Sport: “Each tournament I win and play in, I take great pleasure from. I had to come out and have a good head. There was a big crowd and I wanted to leave blood, sweat and tears on the table. I came out and gave it my all and I love competing.
“I always keep beating myself up because of the age thing. I keep thinking at some point you have to stop winning but I am doing all right and I will keep on going until the wheels fall off.”
However, O’Sullivan has recently warned that he could quit the World Snooker Tour if he is stopped from playing events in China.
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He said to BBC Sport: “If I can't go and do what I need to do, which is play a lot in China, I won't ever play again. So, we're at a kind of crossroads now.
“If that gets to the point where I'm not able to do that, I'm not allowed to do that, I probably won't play. I'll probably go and play Chinese 8-Ball because I still want to play snooker, I still want a cue in my hand.”
He continued: “There's just not enough here in the UK for me to justify the effort that I put in. If someone's going to respect me and value me more, why would I not go there?
“It's like being in an unhealthy relationship with someone, why would you be in that?”
Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports/GettyTopics: Ronnie O’Sullivan, Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur, Football, Snooker