Interview | Luke Drennan

Luke Drennan made history last month by becoming one of the first ever World Disability Billiards & Snooker (WDBS) European champions and reached the summit of the Group 8 world rankings as a result.

The 25-year-old from England is a four-time ranking event winner and his success at the European Disability Snooker Championship in Albufeira, Portugal saw him become the fourth player to sit at the top of the deaf classification world ranking list after Shabir Ahmed, Gary Taylor and Lewis Knowles.

We caught up with Luke after his title-winning performance in Portugal to learn more about how he became interested in snooker, his experiences on the WDBS tour and his goals for the future:

Tell us about how you found the experience of competing in the European Disability Snooker Championship and what it meant to get over the line and win the title?

I feel like I played solid snooker all week – I didn’t lose a game, which is difficult with the standard on tour only getting better. The venue itself in Portugal was unreal and the tables were great, plus it was nice to get some sunshine in October!

I wasn’t expecting much after a tough few weeks off the table but that may have helped me in the long run as it took the pressure off. It was nice to have all my family and friends watching via the EBSA stream and it was a very emotional win for me – a win that I dedicated to my late Nan.

Your semi-final win against Ronnie Allen saw you become the world number one for the first time – how did that feel?

I had a feeling beforehand that there was a chance to go to world number one but I just tried to put it to the back of my mind as I didn’t want it to affect the way that I played. Ronnie Allen is a class act so beating him the way that I did was nice as I played pretty well.

Being told that I was the world number one was something that I had wanted for a while and I am buzzing to be the top ranking player in Group 8.

How did you first become interested in snooker and when did you begin playing?

I started playing when I was around 15-years-old. I had broken my leg quite badly and I had to find something to do that wasn’t football so I went to my local working men’s club, the Thornhill Briggs – who now sponsor me, and started playing. I still play there now, practicing around three times a week.

I made a 50 break within a few months of first picking up a cue, so I got the bug for the game almost instantly!

What is your highest break both competitively and in practice?

Funnily enough, my first century break was in a tournament! It came in a North of England regional event where I made a 113. My highest break in practice is 128.

Can you tell us about your disability and how it affects your snooker?

I have a bone condition called Osteogenesis Imperfecta – my Mum has it too and I was diagnosed when I was six-years-old. . It basically means my bones are weaker than most and it affects my hearing as the bones in my ears don’t conduct sound very well. This means I compete in the Group 8 classification group on the WDBS tour.

You made your debut at the 2021 Hull Open, what are your memories of this event?

I remember being quite nervous and didn’t really know what to expect. However, I remember being welcomed with open arms and that made me feel comfortable straight away. I played some decent snooker that weekend, eventually losing in the semi-finals, so it definitely made me want to come back for more.

Your first ranking event title came two years later, also at the Hull Open, what are your memories of this event and how did it feel to win the title?

My first title in Hull was probably my proudest moment on tour.

I had struggled in the group stages and so I was just happy to be through to the knockout rounds. I had a tough draw, but I won my quarter-final match and then beat Shabir Ahmed in the semi-finals who I had not previously beaten at the time – so that was a big moment for me.

In the final I played Gary Taylor, who is my roommate on the tour so we spend a lot of time together. I made a half-century break to get 2-1 up and then he made a 59 to a force a decider, missing the black to nick the high break off me. In the decider, I made probably the best 53 break of my life to get over the line which was a relief after losing in a couple of finals previously.

I was buzzing! It was nice to have my Mum and Dad there to see me get my first ranking event win after they have supported me and driven me all over to play in snooker tournaments.

How do you feel about the tour becoming more global and featuring events all over the world?

I think it is great that we are extending the tour around the world. It gives us opportunities to play the game we love all over the globe and long may it continue!

What are your aims for the rest of the season and what are your long-term goals in snooker?

My aim for the season is to try and maintain world number one position. I have a lot of points to defend so it won’t be easy, but it is a challenge for me.

Long term, I just want to enjoy playing snooker, see more places and try make a century on the tour – that would be nice!

What advice would you give to somebody considering joining the WDBS tour for the first time?

Just do it, it really doesn’t matter how good you are or how long you have been playing. Come to an event or an open day and give it a go, it is the best thing I ever did regarding my snooker.