Neal Foulds
English snooker player
Neal Foulds (born 13 July 1963) is an English former professional snooker player and six-time tournament winner, including the 1986 International Open, the 1988 Dubai Masters and the 1992 Scottish Masters,[3] as well as the invitational Pot Black in 1992. He was runner-up at the 1986 UK Championship and the 1987 British Open, and reached the semi-finals of three Masters tournaments and the 1987 World Championship.[3] After his retirement, Foulds became a commentator for the BBC and is currently part of the presenting team for ITV and Eurosport.[2]
Career
The son of snooker professional Geoff Foulds, he began playing the game at the age of 11 and by the early 1980s was already one of the strongest players in his area. Following victory in the national under-19's Championship beating John Parrott in the final, Foulds then turned professional in 1983.
At the end of the season he qualified for the final stages of the World Championship at his first attempt. Even more impressively however, he then defeated twice-champion Alex Higgins 10–9 in the first round before going down 13–9 to Doug Mountjoy in the last 16, a run that saw him enter the rankings at number 30.
Foulds quickly climbed the rankings in the seasons that followed reaching no. 3 within four years. He won his first ranking tournament in 1986, the BCE International, beating Cliff Thorburn 12–9 in the final. In the same season he was runner-up to Steve Davis in the UK Championship, and he also reached the semi-finals of the 1987 World Championship, losing 16–9 to Joe Johnson.[4] Starting the following season in a career high position of number three, 1987/88 was not to be quite as successful, though another strong run to the quarter-finals in the 1988 World Snooker Championship before losing to Terry Griffiths ensured that he would retain his spot at third in the rankings. Foulds also won the 1988 Dubai Masters, beating Steve Davis in the final, though this event would not hold any ranking points until the following year.
From here however he started to struggle, dropping 17 places to 20th in the rankings and finding himself having to qualify for events the following season. Still, 1989/90 was to see a revival and despite a round one exit at the World Championship to Wayne Jones, he did enough to regain a place in the top 16 before moving up to number seven at the end of 1990/1.[5]
In 1992, Foulds was crowned the Scottish Masters champion and also won the 1992 edition of Pot Black, beating Nigel Bond, Jimmy White, and Gary Wilkinson en route to the final, where he beat James Wattana 252–176 on a points based final.
Though he was able to maintain a top 16 place until the end of the 1993/4 season, and a place on the tour until 2003, he played his final match as a Main Tour player on 13 January 2003 before retiring from competitive play aged 39.
Foulds made a brief reappearance as a player in November 2011 in the World Seniors (aged 48) before eventually losing to Dene O'Kane.
Foulds made 88 competitive century breaks in his career.
Commentary career
Since his retirement, Foulds has moved up to the commentary box for Eurosport, BBC, Sky Sports and he also co-hosts all ITV4 tournament coverage, interviewing players as well as commentating. In 2014, Foulds made a cameo as himself commentating on a fictional match at the climax of the snooker short film drama "Extended Rest".
Personal life
Foulds is married and has a son and a daughter.[6] He supports Queens Park Rangers.
Performance and rankings timeline
| Tournament | 1983/ 84 | 1984/ 85 | 1985/ 86 | 1986/ 87 | 1987/ 88 | 1988/ 89 | 1989/ 90 | 1990/ 91 | 1991/ 92 | 1992/ 93 | 1993/ 94 | 1994/ 95 | 1995/ 96 | 1996/ 97 | 1997/ 98 | 1998/ 99 | 1999/ 00 | 2000/ 01 | 2001/ 02 | 2002/ 03 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking[7] | [nb 1] | 30 | 23 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 20 | 13 | 6 | 4 | 14 | 25 | 28 | 21 | 30 | 34 | 40 | 73 | 71 | 78 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ranking tournaments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LG Cup[nb 2] | LQ | SF | 2R | SF | 1R | 3R | 2R | QF | 3R | QF | 3R | 1R | 2R | 2R | 1R | LQ | 1R | LQ | LQ | LQ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| British Open | NR | 2R | 2R | F | 3R | 3R | QF | 2R | 3R | 1R | 1R | 3R | 2R | 1R | QF | LQ | LQ | LQ | 1R | LQ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| UK Championship | NR | LQ | 3R | F | 1R | 2R | 2R | 3R | QF | 1R | 1R | 1R | 2R | 1R | 3R | 1R | LQ | 1R | LQ | LQ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Welsh Open | Tournament Not held | 3R | 3R | 1R | 2R | 2R | 1R | 1R | 1R | LQ | LQ | LQ | LQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| European Open[nb 3] | Tournament Not held | 1R | QF | QF | 3R | 1R | 1R | 1R | 1R | LQ | NH | LQ | Not held | LQ | LQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Irish Masters | Non-Ranking Event | LQ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Scottish Open[nb 4] | A | 1R | SF | W | 2R | 2R | 3R | Not held | 1R | QF | 2R | 3R | 1R | 2R | LQ | LQ | LQ | LQ | LQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| World Championship | 2R | 1R | 1R | SF | QF | 1R | QF | 2R | 2R | QF | 2R | LQ | 1R | LQ | LQ | LQ | LQ | LQ | LQ | LQ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-ranking tournaments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Scottish Masters | A | A | A | A | QF | NH | A | A | QF | W | QF | A | LQ | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Masters | A | A | A | 1R | 1R | SF | A | QF | SF | 1R | SF | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premier League[nb 5] | A | Not Held | F | RR | RR | RR | RR | RR | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Former ranking tournaments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Canadian Masters | Not Held | Non-Ranking | LQ | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hong Kong Open[nb 6] | Non-Ranking Event | NH | QF | Tournament Not held | NR | NR | Tournament Not held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classic | LQ | LQ | QF | 1R | 2R | 2R | 1R | SF | 2R | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Strachan Open | Tournament NH | 1R | MR | NR | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dubai Classic[nb 7] | Tournament Not Held | NR | A | 3R | 3R | 1R | 1R | LQ | LQ | 1R | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| German Open | Tournament Not held | 1R | LQ | LQ | NR | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Malta Grand Prix | Tournament Not Held | Non-Ranking Event | LQ | NR | Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| China Open[nb 8] | Tournament Not Held | NR | LQ | LQ | LQ | LQ | NH | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Thailand Masters[nb 9] | Non-Ranking Event | Not Held | 2R | QF | 2R | 1R | 2R | LQ | 1R | 1R | 1R | LQ | LQ | LQ | LQ | NR | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Former non-ranking tournaments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| UK Championship | 1R | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International Masters | RR | Ranking Tournament | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Malaysian Masters | NH | A | NH | QF | Tournament Not Held | A | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carling Challenge | NH | A | A | A | SF | A | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tokyo Masters | Not Held | QF | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Canadian Masters | Not Held | A | A | SF | R | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dubai Masters | Tournament Not Held | W | Ranking Event | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Matchroom Professional Championship | Not Held | 1R | SF | SF | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Norwich Union Grand Prix | Tournament Not Held | RR | A | A | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| English Professional Championship | NH | 2R | F | 1R | F | SF | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| London Masters | Tournament Not Held | QF | A | A | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shoot-Out | Tournament Not Held | 4R | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| World Masters | Tournament Not Held | 2R | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Thailand Masters | A | A | A | A | Not Held | Ranking | SF | Ranking Event | NR | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hong Kong Challenge[nb 10] | A | A | A | QF | QF | F | NH | A | 1R | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Indian Challenge | Tournament Not Held | QF | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| World Matchplay | Tournament Not Held | A | A | 1R | 1R | A | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Belgian Challenge | Tournament Not Held | 1R | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kent Classic[nb 11] | Not Held | QF | A | A | A | A | NH | 1R | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| European Challenge | Tournament Not Held | QF | A | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Belgian Masters | Tournament Not Held | A | F | QF | Not Held | A | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Irish Masters | A | A | A | A | F | QF | A | A | 1R | 1R | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | R | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pot Black | A | QF | A | Tournament Not Held | QF | W | 1R | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pontins Professional | A | QF | QF | W | QF | A | A | W | F | QF | QF | QF | QF | SF | QF | A | A | Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Performance Table Legend | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LQ | lost in the qualifying draw | #R | lost in the early rounds of the tournament (WR = Wildcard round, RR = Round robin) | QF | lost in the quarter-finals |
| SF | lost in the semi–finals | F | lost in the final | W | won the tournament |
| DNQ | did not qualify for the tournament | A | did not participate in the tournament | WD | withdrew from the tournament |
| NH / Not Held | means an event was not held. | |||
| NR / Non-Ranking Event | means an event is/was no longer a ranking event. | |||
| R / Ranking Event | means an event is/was a ranking event. | |||
| MR / Minor-Ranking Event | means an event is/was a minor-ranking event. | |||
- ^ New players on the Main Tour do not have a ranking.
- ^ The event ran under different names such as Professional Players Tournament (1983/1984) and Grand Prix (1984/1985 to 2000/2001).
- ^ The event ran under different names such as European Open (1988/1989 to 1996/1997 and 2001/2002 to 2003/2004) and Irish Open (1998/1999).
- ^ The event ran under different names such as International Open (1983/1984 to 1984/1985, 1986/1987 to 1996/1997), Goya Matchroom Trophy (1985/1986) and Players Championship (2003/2004).
- ^ The event was also called the Professional Snooker League (1983/1984), the Matchroom League (1986/1987–1991/1992) and the European League (1992/1993–1996/1997)
- ^ The event ran under different names such as the Australian Masters (1983/1984 to 1987/1988 and 1995/1996) and Australian Open (1994/1995).
- ^ The event run under different names as Dubai Masters (1988/1989), Thailand Classic (1995/1996) and Asian Classic (1996/1997)
- ^ The event ran under a different name as the China International (1997/1998 and 1998/1999)
- ^ The event ran under different names such as Asian Open (1989/1990 to 1992/1993) and Thailand Open (1993/1994 to 1996/1997).
- ^ The event was also called the Hong Kong Masters (1983/1984–1988/1989)
- ^ The event was also called the Kent Cup (1986/1987–1987/1988 & 1989/1990–1990/1991)
Career finals
Ranking finals: 3 (1 title)
| Legend |
| UK Championship (0–1) |
| Other (1–1) |
| Outcome | No. | Year | Championship | Opponent in the final | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | 1. | 1986 | International Open |  Cliff Thorburn | 12–9 |
| Runner-up | 1. | 1986 | UK Championship |  Steve Davis | 7–16 |
| Runner-up | 2. | 1987 | British Open | Jimmy White | 9–13 |
Non-ranking finals: 12 (5 titles)
| Outcome | No. | Year | Championship | Opponent in the final | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Runner-up | 1. | 1986 | English Professional Championship | Tony Meo | 7–9 |
| Winner | 1. | 1987 | Pontins Professional | Willie Thorne | 9–8 |
| Runner-up | 2. | 1987 | Matchroom League | Steve Davis | Round-Robin |
| Runner-up | 3. | 1988 | English Professional Championship (2) | Dean Reynolds | 5–9 |
| Runner-up | 4. | 1988 | Irish Masters | Steve Davis | 4–9 |
| Runner-up | 5. | 1988 | Hong Kong Masters | Jimmy White | 3–6 |
| Winner | 2. | 1988 | Dubai Masters | Steve Davis | 5–4 |
| Winner | 3. | 1991 | Pontins Professional (2) | Mike Hallett | 9–6 |
| Runner-up | 6. | 1991 | Belgian Masters | Mike Hallett | 7–9 |
| Runner-up | 7. | 1992 | Pontins Professional | Steve James | 8–9 |
| Winner | 4. | 1992 | Scottish Masters | Gary Wilkinson | 10–8 |
| Winner | 5. | 1992 | Pot Black |  James Wattana | 252–176 points |
Pro-am finals: 3 (2 titles)
| Outcome | No. | Year | Championship | Opponent in the final | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | 1. | 1983 | Warners Open | Danny Fowler | 4–0[8] |
| Winner | 2. | 1984 | Pontins Spring Open |  Doug Mountjoy | 7–4[9][10] |
| Runner-up | 1. | 1998 | Pontins Spring Open |  James McGouran | 0–7[9][10] |
Team finals: 2 (2 titles)
| Outcome | No. | Year | Championship | Team/partner | Opponent(s) in the final | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | 1. | 1988 | World Cup | England |  Australia | 9–7 |
| Winner | 2. | 1989 | World Cup (2) | England | Rest of the World | 9–8 |
Amateur finals: 1 (1 title)
| Outcome | No. | Year | Championship | Opponent in the final | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | 1. | 1982 | British Under-19 Championship | John Parrott | 3–2[11] |
See also
Biography portal
Cue sports portal
References
- ^ Gibbons, Mike (29 January 2023). "Snooker Shoot Out 2023". Eurosport. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
- ^ a b "Then and Now: Neal Foulds". Eurosport.com. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Neal Foulds Player Profile". Snookerdatabase.co.uk. Archived from the original on 15 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
- ^ "Clive Everton's Crucible History – 1987 World Championship". BBC Sport. 2001. Archived from the original on 1 May 2010. Retrieved 3 April 2008.
- ^ "Neal Foulds - The Big Interview". Wpbsa.com. 16 October 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ "Neal Foulds: Army Saved Me From Floods". Inside Snooker. 25 February 2014. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
- ^ "Ranking History". Snooker.org. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
- ^ Morrison, Ian (1986). The Hamlyn Encyclopedia of Snooker. Twickenham: Hamlyn Publishing Group. p. 147. ISBN 0600501922.
- ^ a b "Pontin's Snooker". 19 December 2008. Archived from the original on 19 December 2008. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
- ^ a b "pontins". 28 February 2012. Archived from the original on 28 February 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
- ^ "Sport in brief: snooker". The Guardian. London. 7 June 1982. p. 21.
External links
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