Snooker legend and reigning world number one, Ronnie O’Sullivan, has said that he “lost himself” for more than seven years as a result of drugs and excessive alcohol intake earlier in his career.
O’Sullivan has long been considered one of if not the greatest to have ever graced the game and still holds the joint record for most world titles in the modern era — second only to Joe Davis, who won 15 back to back from 1927 to 1946 — but it’s never quite been plain sailing for the 47-year-old.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4 on Thursday, 11, the Wordsley-born snooker star admitted, “there are massive gaps [in his memory], adding, “I lost myself for six, seven years and then I had to kind of put myself back together”.
O’Sullivan, who turned pro all the way back in 1992 when he was just 16, had an incredible start to his career but confessed that he struggled to retain significant chunks of it and was “not in the best spirits” during his early to mid-20s, famously checking himself into rehab in 2000.
"I think going to rehab taught me that happiness is an inside job"
Snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan @ronnieo147 tells @AmolRajan about having to carve out a different life for himself after 'becoming clean' from his addiction to drink and drugs.
Ronnie O’Sullivan opens up about his struggles with drugs and alcohol.
As acknowledged by presenter Amol Rajan, his alcohol and drug addiction has been well-publicised over the years, but the record 21-time Triple Crown winner insists that going to rehab is the “best thing” he’s ever done.
Noting some of his low points as his fluctuation in weight, dependence on “drinking and wacky baccy just to get through the day” and, obviously, being stripped of his Irish Masters title in 1998 after testing positive for cannabis, he said: “I lost my personality and confidence and needed to take substances just to feel like I could socialise”.
At his worst, Ronnie sadly experienced suicidal thoughts and recently said he never thought he’d make it to the age he is now; it was at that point in 2000 that he admitted himself into The Priory addiction and mental health facility. Thankfully, for the most part, he has remained sober and healthy ever since.
However, as explained in his new book, Unbreakable (released on Thursday too), the challenge was not only overcoming his “addictive nature” but even just readjusting to social situations, admitting that he “had to learn to do all that stuff again” and now lives a quieter lifestyle.
“Anxiety started to affect me in certain ways, so it was like ‘how do I live clean?’, said O’Sullivan. “It took time but once I got there, I realised you have to carve out a different life for yourself. Maybe I’m not suited for X, Y and Z.
“My happy place is going running in the morning and I go out with my running friends, and I’m cool with that. Put me in an environment where there’s lots of people and I run for the corner.”
He closed out the interview by stating that “rehab taught [him] happiness is an inside job” and he has truly believed in that ethos ever since and that he can now once again enjoy snooker as a form of “great escapism” where he can “feel relaxed and calm”.
Manchester City set to re-sign former youth keeper James Trafford
Danny Jones
Manchester City look set to re-sign their former academy goalkeeper, James Trafford, just over two years after he left the club.
The Burnley shot-stopper was signed by the Lancashire side back in June 2023 after he impressed in two consecutive seasons on loan at Bolton Wanderers.
Now, just a few transfer windows later, it looks like Man City are set to fend off interest from other Premier League outfits for the chance to bring him back to the Etihad Stadium.
As per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, an agreement is already in place for him to return to Manchester in the next few days.
🚨🔵 EXCLUSIVE: Manchester City agree deal to sign James Trafford as new goalkeeper, here we go!
Deal in place with Burnley under value of £40m buy back clause. Trafford said yes to Man City as Pep Guardiola wanted him.
According to Romano, the Cockermouth-born and Carlisle-blooded keeper, who joined the City youth setup at the age of 12, will be signed once again for a fee below the previously reported £40m price tag.
Although the details of the contract are yet to be fully confirmed, it is said that City maintained the option to match the bid of any other team that came in within three days as part of the stipulation.
Backed up by The Athletic‘s David Ornstein, it seems the club have done just that, entering a matched price of £27m (before add-ons) after an offer was made by Newcastle United.
Once again, the wages he will earn upon returning to the Etihad remain undisclosed, but you can assume they have promised a more attractive package than Newcastle; you would expect some assurances surrounding playing time, too.
Although Ederson is the first-choice goalkeeper on paper, he and backup keeper Stefan Ortega have been increasingly rotated across multiple competitions, and the 22-year-old said in an interview back in 2021 that he believes he has the potential and talent to become “Manchester City’s number one.”
Here are some of the highlights from the previous term.
Having impressed at youth level for England and most notably keeping 29 clean sheets – conceding just 16 goals in all 45 league fixtures in 24/25 – with Burnley securing automatic promotion as one of the best defences in the EFL, he’s not just a young prospect any more: he’s a sought-after shot-stopper.
It seems only a matter of time before his comeback is officially announced by the clubs, with Trafford preparing to sign a five-year contract with his old employers and where the bulk of his youth development took place.
The question is, Man City fans: can you see him pushing Ederson and Ortega, who have both been linked with moves away themselves, for the starting gloves?
Meanwhile, although Pep might be looking to phase in a new go-to between the sticks, another member of his senior squad who has struggled to nail down a consistent spot in the first XI could, conversely, be on his way out the exit door.
Jack Grealish linked with Serie A switch as Manchester City star reportedly wants a move away
Danny Jones
Manchester City star and England international, Jack Grealish, has been linked with leaving for a possible Serie A switch as the midfielder is reportedly eyeing an exit from the Etihad Stadium.
The 29-year-old is already being monitored by a number of clubs here in England and in mainland Europe, but it appears that Italian champions Napoli have emerged as the latest and seemingly strongest suitors looking to add Jack Grealish to their growing roster.
A number of outlets are reporting interest from the ‘Gli Azzurri’, who have already signed former Man City talisman Kevin De Bruyne this summer, and look to be continuing with a productive period of recruitment ahead of defending their fourth league title – the second in the space of three seasons.
It wouldn’t be a change in colour or even in position, apparently, as they have identified him as a number of left-sided targets this summer, according to the likes of Corriere dello Sport.
🚨 Jack Grealish remains on a list of wingers still being considered by Napoli, @CorSport claim 👀🩵
The former Aston Villa favourite was left out of the FIFA Club World Cup after Pep Guardiola revealed the pair had shared “honest” discussions regarding his future in Manchester, but did reassure that it was the “best” decision for him and is not ruling out a resolution before the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
The Telegraph‘s Matt Law states that Grealish has returned to City but only to train alone and will remain apart from the rest of the team until an outcome has been decided.
Other clubs that are said to be keen on tapping up the dynamic winger and attacking midfielder include Spurs, West Ham, Newcastle and even Everton are thought to be exploring a potential approach.
Guardiola‘s squad are expected to resume training on 28 July following a much-needed break post-tournament, which they crashed out of in the round of 16 following a shock defeat to Saudi side Al-Hilal.
Meanwhile, it is claimed that the England star has already flown to Naples.
As per Manchester Evening News (MEN), Grealish’s driver, Salvatore, told the ‘Radio Goal’ show on native station Kiss Kiss Napoli that the footballer is already training privately on the Amalfi Coast.
The outlet also recently wrote that the 29-year-old would be available if the right offer came in, with Man City supposedly wanting around £40 million for his prospective sale.
Jack Grealish is now considered well within his traditional ‘prime years’, and arguably soon to exit this crucial period for any athlete, so he will no doubt be pushing hard for a move this summer if his place with the sky blues is still undecided.
Despite being a well-regarded talent and regularly picked for his national team, the Brummy-born footballer has struggled to cement a spot in the starting XI under Pep, so perhaps leaving City might be the best for both Grealish and City, who are continuing to rebuild with new personnel.
He’s not the only Manchester-based star looking to the continent for a new lease on life.
Danny Jones -
12th May 2023 
