Chris Small was a Scottish professional snooker player whose career peaked in the early 2000s, highlighted by a ranking event victory and a sustained run of World Championship appearances before his career was cut short by illness.
Chris Small – Career Snapshot
| Date of birth: | 26 December 1973 |
| From: | Scotland |
| Turned professional: | 1991 |
| Highest world ranking: | No. 12 |
| Ranking titles: | 1 |
| World Championship titles: | 0 |
| Triple Crown titles: | 0 |
| Masters appearances: | 2 |
| Maximum 147 breaks: | 0 |
Chris Small’s Snooker Career
Chris Small turned professional in 1991 and quickly established himself as one of Scotland’s most reliable competitors of the 1990s. Early in his career, he won the Benson & Hedges Championship in 1992, a success that secured him qualification for the Masters and signalled his potential at the highest level.
Small became a regular presence on the professional tour throughout the 1990s, building a reputation as a solid all-round player capable of competing consistently in various events. He reached the finals of both the Australian Masters and the Australian Open in 1995, narrowly missing out on silverware to Anthony Hamilton on each occasion.
His career reached its peak in the early 2000s. In 2002, Small claimed his sole ranking title at the LG Cup, defeating Alan McManus in an all-Scottish final. The victory helped to lift him into the world’s top 16 and confirmed his status as one of the leading players of his generation outside the sport’s elite.
Small was also a regular at the Crucible Theatre, qualifying for the World Snooker Championship on seven consecutive occasions between 1999 and 2005. Although he never progressed beyond the early rounds, the consistency of those appearances underlined his reliability and competitive strength during that period.
His professional career was ultimately cut short when he was forced to retire due to a spinal condition. Following his retirement, Small remained involved in the sport by moving into coaching, bringing to an end a career defined by perseverance, consistency, and a level of achievement that might have been higher had circumstances allowed.
Chris Small’s Ranking Titles
Chris Small won 1 ranking title during his professional career.
| Year | Tournament |
|---|---|
| 2002 | LG Cup |
Other Major Titles and Notable Wins
- Benson & Hedges Championship (1992)
Chris Small and the Triple Crown
Chris Small won 0 Triple Crown titles during his professional career.
- World Championship: 0 titles
- UK Championship: 0 titles
- Masters: 0 titles
SHQ Star Rating: ★★★
SnookerHQ uses a seven-point star scale based on the scoring values of snooker balls, with a black (7) representing the highest career classification. Ratings are assigned using career achievements, longevity, and historical impact.
Chris Small: ★★★
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