Name - Matthew Gleaves

Nickname - The Mole 

Born - 1969

Years Playing - This is my 3rd year on the BWPPA Tour.

Home Club - Riley's Darlington (A BIG thanks to Phil the manager and his crew for looking after me)

Favourite Club in the UK - Riley’s Darlington and Stafford

Playing cue(s) - Playing and Break/Jump cues by Wayne Holmes Custom Cues. Talisman Cue Case.

BWPPA Highest Ranking - No2

Sponsors - Look at my WEBSITE to see them.

Favourite World Players - Ralf Souquet, Efren Reyes and Jonny Archer.

Why I started playing 9-Ball - Sick of UK 8 ball, got a 9 ball cue when on holiday in the states and never looked back ;-)

How often do I practice – As much as my job and family allow.

How do I practice - Playing from a seated position I find set routines very hard because of my limited reach so I usually work on individual types of shots and my break but I do have some routines.

The biggest thing I have learned in pool - Always stay down on your shot and when playing in a event play within your own ability and don't stretch your game as that is when the rot sets in.  Remember not to be bullied and distracted by other players in a match, just let them distract themselves with their own antics.

My 2007 9-Ball Ambition - To win more tour events and a medal in the Euro Champs.

My Career 9-Ball Ambition - To always give my best and the rest will fall into place.

My biggest 9-Ball Achievement - GB Team member European Championships 2005, 2006 & 2007

Best tournament I've played in - European Championships 2005

Best 9-Ball Moment - Playing Jimmy White in a 1 rack Challenge Match.  A childhood dream come true and he was a total gentleman as well.

Hobbies - 9 Ball What else is there?  Spending time with my little girl and keeping this site up to date.

Superstitions - I clean my cues before an event, if I don't the world will end???

What motivates me -  Motivation, Focus and Concentration are never hard if you love your sport.   I always want to pot the next ball, run that rack or win the match.