The Right Stuff
The next time you see Russell or Gilchrist racing round the top-of-the-table, well, never mind them, the next time you see anyone at all playing then just spare a thought for Paul Wood of Burton-on-Trent. Who? Paul Wood of Burton-on-Trent. Paul is not a Professional, not an expert Billiards player, not an Amateur Championship man, but he is one of the Game's great enthusiasts and his top break of 44 is not too bad considering that he is unable to make a proper stance and that after just a few minutes on his legs every step causes intense pain. Paul was born thirty years ago weighing only 2lb. 4oz - and spastic. He was not expected to live but he did and now, after goodness knows how many operations, is able to stand and walk for short periods though spends much of his time in a wheelchair. School was not easy for him but he did sufficiently well to be offered a place at the Hereward College of Further Education after which he went on a Youth Training Scheme but got sacked as his employers reckoned that he was a fire risk which must be one of the most unusual reasons ever for getting the push. He did go on other courses but spent most of his time having operations and is now on a Course as a Mature Student at his local "Tech." Paul has a Pool Table at home on which he plays (always Billiards) with his friend Wayne and, as he says, "Sometimes wins." He recently had a game of 50 up on a full-size table winning 52 - 38 with a top break of 13. This may not seem much to most of us but, to Paul, a double figure break is rather like climbing Everest Billiards is not Paul's only interest. He is an Assistant Scout Master and helps to run the local Cubs. He is also heavily involved in the village band which he says had the honour of playing before the Queen. It is not on record what, "Liz," thought about it but she should have been suitably impressed as the band were National Champions at the time. But his first and greatest love is Billiards and Paul says that reading of the deeds of the great Champions of the past has kept him going through some bad times and he is particularly grateful for his correspondence with Mark Wildman and to Roger Lee and Jack Ben-Nathan for reading material. Paul has seen most of the best players of his time but is still awaiting his first sight of some of the younger players and is looking forward to seeing Williamson, Russell, and Gilchrist. His great ambition is to make a fifty break on a full-size table. It's going to be tough but if Guts are anything to do with it then, one of these days, he'll make it.