"How the Crucible Became the Unexpected Home of the World Snooker Championship: From 'Dropout's Hangout' to Sheffield's Embarrassment"

THE historic home of snooker was not always such a source of pride for the city it stands in.

‘s Crucible has hosted the World Championship since 1977.

The Crucible will host the World Snooker Championship until at least 2045 Credit: Getty The Sheffield venue seats 980 fans and is due an expansion Credit: Getty

And although snooker chiefs could raise more cash by moving the sport’s showpiece annual event to a larger, glitzier venue in or , a deal is in place for it to stay at its celebrated home until at least 2045.

Sports promoter Mike Watterson – acting on the recommendation of wife Carole – is the man credited with taking snooker to the Crucible.

Carole had watched a play there in 1976 and said it would be “perfect for snooker”.

But it needed some polishing up before assuming the role as one of Britain’s most iconic sporting venues.

Watterson said before he died in 2019: “Back then it was a dropouts’ hangout, an embarrassment to the city.

“You’d go in and find dropouts lounging in there – beatniks, we used to call them.

“It was always getting slated by the city and the people.

“You never can tell if something’s going to work. I don’t think I imagined at all the tournament would be in Sheffield for so long.”

Mike Watterson is credited with taking snooker to the Crucible Credit: Alamy Barry Hearn let his “heart rule his head” by keeping the worlds at the Crucible Credit: Getty The Crucible has hosted the World Snooker Championship since 1977 Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd

The Crucible only seats 980 fans but plans for a 500-seat expansion are in place.

And even at its current capacity, its unique atmosphere presents a tough test for even the greatest players.

Master of Ceremonies Rob Walker told the BBC : “It’s the history, the quirkiness, the layout of the arena, how close the spectators are. It’s everything.

“In 2018, Mark Williams shared a packet of Minstrels with somebody in the front row; he didn’t have to outstretch his arm, that’s how close they are.

“The players tell you there’s nowhere harder to win.

“That arena doesn’t look very big, but I can assure you that when there is a bum on every seat and the whole place is silent, and you are the one about to play – or in my case, speak – it’s huge.”

Snooker chief Barry Hearn was agonising over whether to move the worlds before the latest Crucible deal was signed in March.

and Mark Allen are among those to have publicly criticised the arena for its modest facilities.

But Hearn, who years ago said that leaving the Crucible would be “unthinkable”, admitted he let his “heart rule his head” by approving the new agreement.