Mann On A Mission

Mitchell Mann has been handed a two-year World Snooker Tour card after winning the European Championship, and is determined to succeed in his first spell on the pro circuit.

The 22-year-old from Erdington beat John Whitty 7-2 in the final in Bulgaria.

“It’s all I’ve ever wanted but the hard work starts now – I haven’t really achieved anything yet. It’s just the first part hopefully of bigger and better things,” Mann told the Sutton Coldfield Observer

“This is what I’ve played for, what I’ve lived for and now I’ve given myself the chance of playing the game for a living on the highest stage.

“I was about 10 years old when I started playing the game and I’ve been trying to turn pro for six years now, with two close calls in that time.

“From the ages of 16-21 my coach and I said we would give ourselves five years to see if we could turn pro – and we’ve done it in the sixth year so we weren’t far out!

“It’s been a rollercoaster ride but I’m just so happy as it means everything to me.

“I’ve got two years on the Tour now – I’ve missed the first two events of this season which isn’t ideal but there are a lot of tournaments and if you are good enough, you will stay on because there are that many competitions to go for.”