Player Information
Nickname/Web username: McLean
Year of birth: 1976
Year started playing pool: 2001
Current team: The Murray Misfits
Background
Ian McLean has been a big figure and personality in East Kilbride pool since he joined the league over ten years ago. His captaincy of, then bottom of the league, Flukesters saw the team have a meteoric rise in the next few seasons, culminating in winning the League Cup in 2006, and the Robert Black Cup two seasons later.
Until the teams unfortunate disbanding in 2010, the Flukesters were widely recognised as serious title challengers and one of the “big three”, alongside the Hustlers and the Entertainers. Ian also secured and had the pleasure of captaining some of EK pool’s top players in Colin Philip, Arthur Russo, John Muir and Iain MacMillan.
These days Ian has a new team, the Murray Misfits, which have risen from the ashes of the Flukesters. Ian has worked his transfer magic again bringing in some of Scotland’s best players in Scott Gillespie, Pat Holtz, Jamie Burnett, and Stephen Maxwell.
Singles Information
Aspirations for the current season:
To do well in there EK singles (chance will be a fine thing).
Greatest pool achievement in singles:
Won a Greenhills singles tournament once.
Honours in singles competition
Greenhills tournament, 2009 possibly.
Team Information
Aspirations for the current season:
Top 5.
Greatest pool achievement with a team:
Won the League cup and Robert Black cup with the Flukesters.
Honours in team competition
One League cup, one Robert Black cup and three runner ups in league, all with the Flukesters.
Cue
Make: Cue Craft
Acquired: Tommy at the Westwood snooker hall.
Cost: £75
Tip size: 8 1/4mm
Who retips it? Oby, or get it done at Super League if not at same event as Oby.
General Questions
Who, or what, inspired you to play?
Fell into it by luck.
Favourite EK team you have played in?
The Flukesters.
Favourite EK team you haven’t played in?
Top Guns.
Best player you have ever played against?
Pat Holtz, just different class.
Best player you have played alongside?
Colin Phillip, on form he just made the game look too easy!
Favourite pro players (Pool or Snooker):
- Pat Holtz
- Scott Gillespie
- Ronnie O’Sullivan
Who is your bogey player?
Have too many to list!
What’s the one match that sticks in your memory
League cup final verses the Entertainers in 2006. It was our first title with The Flukesters so made it all the more memorable.
What’s would you say your best pool attribute is?
Don’t know, but definitely a bad loser! Does that count?
How would you rate the current standard of pool in EK?
Okish.
What do you think we could do to raise the standard?
Now that the rules have changed (players from outside EK are not tied to our area for IMs/Super League), I think if better players out with EK are playing, then the standard will gradually improve.