White Excited By World Seniors Event

Jimmy White hopes he can go all the way to the title at snooker's Wyldecrest Park Homes World Seniors Championship this weekend - but believes it will be a highly competitive tournament.

The three-day event at the Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford, which starts on Friday and finishes on Sunday, promises to be a fantastic celebration of snooker, with legends of the 1980s in action as well as stars aged over 40 still competing on the professional circuit.

Seven former World Champions are in the line-up - Steve Davis, Dennis Taylor, Joe Johnson, Cliff Thorburn, John Parrott, Ken Doherty and Peter Ebdon - plus crowd favourite White and qualifier Nigel Bond.

White lost six times in the world final at the Crucible but hopes he can lift the trophy this time. He'll find out who he plays in Saturday's quarter-finals when the random draw takes place on Friday.

"It's going to be a great tournament and I'm really looking forward to it," said the 48-year-old. "It doesn't matter who I draw in the first match because there are no easy games. Joe Johnson has been practising non stop for this - every time I ring him he's on the table. I'm sure all of the others who aren't on the pro tour any more have also been putting the hours in.

"The opening games are only best of three so anyone can get through. I've been practising a lot myself, I feel ready for it and I would love to win it."

White, a former Masters and UK Champion, hopes that this new event will become a permanent fixture on the snooker calendar. "I know the players and fans will be really well looked after at the venue. It would be brilliant to see it grow and become a regular tournament," he added.

Sky Sports will show highlights of the event over the Christmas period.

There are a few tickets remaining for Friday's Sportsman's Dinner, which includes:

The chance to dine with the snooker heroes and take photos!

Tickets for the opening match of the tournament, Peter Ebdon v Nigel Bond!

A fantastic dinner!

A charity auction hosted by Willie Thorne!

Superb entertainment from singer and comedian Steve Womack!

IT'S AN EVENING NOT TO BE MISSED! Tickets cost £65 each or £585 for a table of ten. For details visit http://www.worldsnooker.com/tickets.