Mark Allen’s Trials as a Professional Footballer Before Choosing Snooker

Mark Allen, the snooker sensation, has revealed a surprising twist in his sporting journey. The Northern Irishman disclosed that he had trials to become a professional footballer before ultimately choosing snooker as his path to success.

In an interview on TalkSPORT’s Sunday edition, Allen shared that he had trials at prestigious clubs such as Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday. Reflecting on his football aspirations, he admitted, “I love my football and I did okay at the time. Everyone wanted to be a professional footballer growing up.”

Despite his love for football, Allen acknowledged the challenges of making it from Northern Ireland and the tough competition he faced. He humorously mentioned that none of his former teammates from the Northern Ireland Milk Cup team went on to become professional footballers, jokingly suggesting he might have been the best of the bunch.

Allen credited his father for introducing him to snooker, a decision that ultimately led him to a successful career in the sport. He reminisced about his early days in snooker, recalling how he quickly excelled in the game and had to make a tough decision between football and snooker at a young age.

Looking ahead to the World Championships, Allen expressed confidence in his abilities, stating, “I definitely feel like I’m one that goes there with a big chance.” With his talent and determination, Allen is poised to make a mark in the snooker world and continue his impressive career trajectory.