He is transforming the game of snooker and York is a key part of his plans as World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn tells STEVE CARROLL.

NOTHING silences doubters more than results. When Barry Hearn narrowly took over World Snooker 12 months ago, plenty were lining up to take a pot-shot – and they weren’t of the kind you see on the green baize.

Just six votes – 35-29 in favour – saw the top 64 players in the game cede overall control of the organisation to Hearn, who took a 51 per cent controlling share in the commercial business.

You have to wonder if any of those dissenters are still worried about snooker’s future.

One year on, prize money has almost doubled for the forthcoming season, new ranking events have been established – most notably in Australia – and the Players Tour Championship events, along with Q School, have given anyone who wields a cue the chance to play the game at the highest level.

The game also has a driving force in Judd Trump – the pot-from-anywhere aggressor whose attacking play on the way to the World Championship final at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre thrilled the nation.

“It has been an absolutely terrific year,” says Hearn of his first 12 months in the World Snooker hot-seat.

“It has been very motivating for me – going back to my first love. The world of snooker started my professional promoting career.

“The players have been outstanding. They have taken a grip of the opportunity presented to them and have risen to the challenge. The standard has definitely improved.

“A number of new youngsters have added to the excitement of snooker and Judd Trump’s fantastic displays at the World Championships have given a lift to all those young players.

“With the Brazil Masters, the World Cup in Bangkok and a new ranking event in Australia, it’s a great time to be there.

“But we must not forget the domestic scene. The majors are what you will still be judged on at the end of the year.”

It is here where Hearn, whose famous Matchroom stable, which included baize beacons like Steve Davis and Dennis Taylor, first cashed in on the snooker boom of the 1980s, sees York as central to his plans.

One of the notable things about the announcement that the UK Championship was to return to the Barbican Centre, after five years away, was its timing.

Made on April 26, World Snooker committed the second biggest tournament in the game to York a full fortnight before the Fishergate-based venue reopened following a £2 million refurbishment and several years lying empty.

That decision took trust.

But Hearn says the centre’s management made a huge impression.

“They made a big play for us. The people of York can be proud of the job they did,” he added.

“They thought they had a venue fit for the new world of snooker.

“Undeniably, it is too good a venue to miss out on. The players will enjoy their surroundings – York was always popular with the players – and I am very happy with the decision.

“I was impressed with the enthusiasm of the people in York and their desire to make it work. We are all aware that these are difficult times and you’ve got to get value for money.

“They put their case and it was well received.”

Hearn continued: “The level of excitement in snooker has gone up two or three notches in the last few months. The players are bringing their ‘A’ games because they are playing regularly.

“Put it all together and, potentially (at York), we have a really wonderful festival of sport. We have all visited York for the races, now we want them to come for the snooker.”

The UK Championship has special memories for Hearn. It brought Steve Davis his first professional tournament victory in 1980. Some 31 years later, back at York, it will be worth £600,000 with a £100,000 first prize.

There will be changes to the format as well.

Gone, in the early rounds at least, will be the marathon matches.

“The early rounds will be best-of-11 frame matches,” Hearn explained.

“It’s a move in the right direction. There are people who will want it to be the ‘best-of-722’ but people who buy tickets want to see a result on the day they go.

“The players are receptive to it and I am sure the best players will still win. It is not a dramatic decline in frames and will mean there can be more matches at the TV stages of the event.

“The longer, traditional, games work very well in the Worlds but the public want to see more action and want to see a result. The biggest thing for me is the limited amount of TV time. You can stage two best-of-11 matches or one best-of-17. This will get higher ratings.”

It has been a big first year, but Hearn insisted the process of rebuilding snooker was not yet complete. He said: “Everything is going to plan but we are not getting complacent.

“We need the Barbicans of this world, we need the support of the people of York and for them to come in and show how exciting this game can be.

“I am looking forward to coming here. York will be a massive step forward. It’s a beautiful city, it has great restaurants, and I want to see packed out houses.

“Let’s see a couple of maximums. Let’s come back to York with a bang.”