SNOOKER coach Kevin Gall hopes drawing on the skills of two world champions can put him in the driving seat when the UK Championship returns to York.

Gall, who coaches out of the Cueball Club in James Street, picked the brains of 1979 Crucible winner Terry Griffiths and six-time champ Steve Davis on a two-day World Snooker-accredited course in Gloucester.

With York expected to experience another snooker boom when the game’s superstars turn up at the Barbican Centre in December following a five-year absence, Gall, who started teaching the game in 2004 and became qualified in 2007, hopes the tournament will encourage new players to take up the game.

Of the course, held at the South West Snooker Centre in Gloucester at the start of the summer, Gall said: “It was well worth doing. On the first day, we went through the likes of technique and both Steve and Terry were very hands-on.

“It was great and fascinating to hear what their thoughts were. Everyone in the group had the chance to put their points forward and they didn’t fire you down if they disagreed with what you were saying.

“It was about getting a blueprint together – so those of us going out coaching are all singing from the same hymn sheet. We covered the likes of stance, grips, how you would strike through the ball and how you address the ball.

“We all went out for dinner on the Thursday night of the two-day course. They were really nice. Terry Griffiths is a very funny man but both of them were very friendly and open and you could go and ask them anything.”

Gall, who also plays for Heworth ‘A’ in the York Conservative Clubs Carlsberg Snooker League, added: “The idea is to grow the game and progress. Barry Hearn is obviously a massive drive for this and putting snooker back on the map – to get the interest back.

“Obviously, every year it was at York it (the UK Championship) was getting busier and busier. The players, as far as I am aware, love the venue and think York is a fantastic place to visit.

“It did limit your opportunities in some respect (when it left York) but I am hoping that, when it comes back, it will encourage people to play the game.”

To receive coaching from Gall, or for more information, contact him on 07739578080.