Barry Stark on coaching 'son he never had' Kyren Wilson, training Reggie Kray and taking on The 900 at 80 years old

30/10/2023 18:12

Barry Stark is not certain his two new knees will allow him to keep up with the fast-paced action of The 900 this week, but he is not using that as an excuse as he has a crack at the event at 80 years old.

Stark is best known as the long-time coach of world number eight Kyren Wilson, and a star of YouTube, with his coaching channel boasting 200,000 subscribers.

He has also long been a player himself, though, spending time as a professional in the 1990s and he’ll chance his arm at the one-frame event live on television this week.

On whether he’ll be comfortable with the 20 second shot clock, Barry told : ‘I’ve got two new knees, so I’ll withhold judgement on that one. I’ve had two replacements, but I’m alright, I’m not listing it as an excuse.

‘I’ve been a PE instructor for lots of years, sport has been my life so it’s just wear and tear. Too much football.

‘But snooker has been a passion of mine for a long time and to get these innovations can only add to the entertainment value. It suits some players better than others, but it all promotes snooker, that’s my view, it’s great stuff.’

Stark’s knee problems are partly down to a remarkable 35 years spent in the prison service teaching physical education.

That kind of experience sounds like a rich vein of anecdotes, and one very notable one sprung to mind.

‘I suppose the most famous one would be Reggie Kray,’ said Stark. ‘He’d come in my gym and work out and then come in the office and say: “will you check my pulse boss?” I had a good working relationship with Reggie Kray, shall we say.

‘I had some hairy moments in there, but some very, very good times as well.

‘I used to be an instructor of control and restraint of violent prisoners, instructing the staff on how to deal with the inmates. I’ve had a few injuries over the years doing that. There’s a certain amount of judo holds that you learn. Physically restraining people without doing any damage, there’s a knack to it.’

After playing snooker in his youth, Stark took the game back up later in life as a very decent club player who was sponsored by a local businessman to have a go at the pro game in 1992, but it was coaching he was really passionate about.

Barry explained: ‘He’d seen me play locally and said he’d sponsor me to go pro. I said, “woah, woah, woah, I know what’s out there!”