Cued up! Stourbridge youngster set to take on the snooker world championships
A Stourbridge youngster who has snookered Kyren Wilson and met the likes of Ronnie O'Sullivan, Ken Doherty, Stephen Hendry and Steve Davies is blazing a trail on the green baize.
Snooker prodigy Tommy 'The Tornado' Fallon is off to Bulgaria on January 17 to take part in the World Snooker Federation Junior Championships.
The nine-year-old, who attends The Ridge Primary School, first picked up a cue at the age of six when his grandmother Glynis Palmer took him to a snooker club.
He is backed by the National Autism Association and ADHD UK, living with both conditions, but his father James says he 'comes alive' when taking his place on the green baize.
Last year he took part in the same championships in Morocco and a crowd-funding campaign this year has raised almost £1,000 to help with his expenses at the tournament in Bulgaria, which starts a week today. He has already been sponsored by Stourbridge estate agents RE/MAX Prime Estates.
Staff at The Ridge have also helped him by bringing in a snooker table so he can practise, and will be following his progress closely.
James said: "Tommy has just taken to snooker and is a changed person almost when he gets his waistcoat on and gets around the table.
"He has met a lot of famous players and took on Kyren Wilson who he got in a snooker that was almost impossible to get out of.
"All the players who have seen him play have been very complimentary and encouraging and have seen he has a real talent.
"It has really helped him in terms of giving him focus and concentration which he hasn't always shown in everyday life due to the autism and ADHD.
"The tournament in Bulgaria will be tough, he will be playing older kids but it will be great experience for him as it was last year when he came away with a medal for being the youngest player and for all his efforts.
"Everybody has been fantastic in the backing and support they have shown him, not least the school so we thank them all."
PE teacher Ryan Lamb said: "We always support pupils here in whatever sports they pursue or excel in and when Tommy's dad sent a video in of his exhibitions and games we could see how good he was, so we got a table in so he and his fellow pupils could play in break times and after school.
"We are backing him all the way to Bulgaria and we are sure he will do very well because he has shown such talent for snooker at such a young age."
The fundraiser is still open and people can add to it here. Follow Tommy on TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@tornado.tommy.fal.
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