Amateur Profiles
Martin Goodwill
The 1990/91 English Amateur Billiards Champion is yet another product of the Teesside Boys Billiards League in which he started playing when aged about 10. Watching Martin when in full flow at the spot-end it is hard to believe that he has only won one Title in his life, i.e. this year's Amateur! his previous best effort being runner-up in the B & S.C.C. under 19 some ten years ago. He remembers with affection his days as a Teesside Junior and acknowledges his Billiards debt particularly to Keith Mallen and 'Skip' Preston. That well known man-about-Teesside-Billiards Albert Hanson remembers Martin as one of the best young players but who, "Never seemed able to win anything." That has sure changed. Martin, still only 28, is an R.A.F. Hercules Transport pilot and could be described as coming from a high flying family as his father is also a pilot. Martin's playing time is rather limited but he manages a period of intensive practice before his one major competition of the year - The Amateur. He has no thoughts of turning 'Pro' and his ambition is to, "Learn as much as possible about the game." His best tournament break is 311 and he has had 11 snooker centuries with a best of 133. Martin is an all-round games player particularly fond of racket sports. There are better Billiard players but it's a certainty there are none fitter.
Players most admired - Norman Dagley, Mike Russell.
Peter Shelley
The Season 1990/91 saw Peter take the runner-up spot in the English Amateur Championship for the second year running. The Staffordshire man started to take an interest in the game when quite a small boy and was taught by his grandfather who played at the Stafford Conservative Club. Peter made his first century when 13 and a double century soon followed. He won many local tournaments but was never a serious contender for major honours during years dominated by such players as Beetham, Driffield, and Dagley. Neither did long absences from the game as he concentrated on his career as a hotelier help him to produce consistent form. During these last two years Peter has taken to practicing every day - or should it be night - as his practice time is at two or three o'clock in the morning, virtually the only free time he gets in a busy schedule. This has helped him to two consecutive Amateur finals where, it has to be said, his form has been poor. It must have been very disappointing to say the least. Those who have only seen him in these games will have a false impression of his ability. Peter has had consecutive breaks of 276, 246, & 216 in competition and breaks of 589 & 389 in exhibitions. Shelley was always a brilliant potter and has made many snooker centuries including a maximum.
Players most admired - Herbert Beetham, Norman Dagley.