Player Information

Nickname/Web username: The Baby Maker (ask Lindsay about a song that goes with it!)
Year of birth: 1980
Year started playing pool: 2003
Current team: The Murray

Background

John Martin is one of the backbone members of the latest incarnation of the Murray pool team. Since their reformation, John has captained them in a number of campaigns and is consistently one of their top performers. John is a regular at Super League events, most recently (March 2012) coming back the top performer for EK at the B event. He is always a tough opponent for anyone in league and tournaments, and has shown his mettle qualifying for IM events and reaching the later stages of local tournaments.

Singles Information

Greatest pool achievement in singles:
Probably winning a tournamentat Club 2K, also qualifying for an IM and playing Antz Morrisson.

Honours in singles competition

Tournament win at Club 2K

Team Information

Aspirations for the current season:
To try and get a top 5 finish.

Greatest pool achievement with a team:
Getting to the League cup final last year, but we were beaten by the Entertainers. Also won the Silver cup.

Honours in team competition

Silver cup.

Cue

Make: Andy Gibb
Acquired: Lee Miller
Cost: £60
Tip size: 9.5mm
Who retips it? Mark O’Brien

General Questions

Who, or what, inspired you to play?
Myself! Just really a notice up in the pub to join the team, and a thought I would give it a go.

Favourite EK team you have played in?
The Murray, the only team I’ve played for.

Favourite EK team you haven’t played in?
Entertainers to learn a bit from some of their players. Also, for a good bunch of guys and a laugh, I would go for Club 2000.

Best player you have ever played against?
In EK, I would say Colin Philip and Oby, but overall, Antz Morrisson. The time I played him in the IM, I think he was in the top 3 in Scotland (he beat me 6-3).

Favourite pro players (Pool or Snooker):

• Stephen Hendry
• Effen Reyes
• Mark Selby

Who is your bogey player?
Too many of them to mention!

What’s the one match that sticks in your memory
We played the Flukesters in the cup in the Murray and beat them 7-1. For me, that was our best game.

What’s would you say your best pool attribute is?
Digging frames out when not looking favourite.

How would you rate the current standard of pool in EK?
I think the standard’s getting better, you just have to look outside the top 2, and for me, there’s not a lot between th next 6 or 7 teams.

What do you think we could do to raise the standard?
Get other Super League teams to use other ends of their cues! No, I think more tourneys in EK or against other areas, and practice!

Anything else you would like to say?
That’ s the Murray darts!