1980s favourite to make latest bid to return to World Snooker Tour at 70, while Robert Milkins discovers opening Q School opponent
By Desmond Kane
Updated 12/05/2026 at 16:37 GMT+1
React to this story
Tony Knowles was once ranked the second-best player in the world during snooker's 1980s golden era, but the veteran cueman has not given up hope of returning to the main professional circuit five decades on.
'Big stepping stone in my career' - Whirlwind looks back on 40th anniversary of first ranking title
Video credit: TNT Sports
Knowles, who turned 70 last year, spent 20 years on tour between 1980 and 2001, a period in which he reached the semi-finals of the World Championship three times, in 1983, 1985 and 1986.
The Bolton favourite, a regular participant at Q School in recent years, has been drawn against Sean O'Sullivan in the second round on Friday, May 22 at 13:00.
Knowles is perhaps most famously remembered for thumping defending champion Steve Davis 10-1 in the first round of the World Championship in 1982, and is aiming to recapture his glory days.
The two-time ranking event winner will need to win five matches from the round of 128 at Q School event 1, starting with a contest against Londoner O'Sullivan.
But the former world No. 2 will get a second chance with a match against Haydon Pinhey pencilled in at Q School event 2 on Wednesday, May 27 at 11:00.
Ronnie O'Sullivan has previously picked out a match between Knowles and John Parrott at the 1992 World Championship as his funniest memory of watching the sport's greatest tournament as a fan.
The defending world champion Parrott benefited from a blunder by legendary referee Len Ganley on his way to a 13-4 win in the last 16.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/04/22/image-fbf4c4cd-10bb-47a2-9ba1-4631f1e4b277-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Two 'Class of 92' icons at the Crucible! Scholes takes front-row seat for O'Sullivan clash
Video credit: TNT Sports
"One of my favourite moments was a match between John Parrott and Tony Knowles. I remember watching it on the box," said O'Sullivan, speaking to TNT Sports.
"John Parrott was in a snooker on the brown. He missed it, and the referee said: 'foul four, and a miss'.
"Tony Knowles has said to the referee: 'Yeah, put the white back'.
"Parrott suddenly gets down to pot the brown, blue, pink and black to clear up. Knowlsey is going mad. He is saying to the referee: 'He couldn't see that brown.'
"Poor Knowlsey. He was getting out of his chair, and was fuming. But it was funny to watch."
- Why O'Sullivan's senior moment provided 'great' surprise
- 'Dawn of our era' - How Lanzhou Lion Wu tamed snooker's grand masters with spirit of Hurricane
- How slow can you go? 10 epic moments faster than Crucible's longest frame
All matches are the best of seven frames, with eight tour cards up for grabs at both events, which run between Wednesday, May 20 until Sunday, May 31 at Leicester's Mattioli Arena.
Meanwhile, 2023 Welsh Open champion Robert Milkins has been forced to return to Q School after finishing outside of the top 64 in the world rankings last season.
'The Milkman' will face either James Silverwood or Christian Richter in the round of 128 on Friday, May 22 at 19:00 as he bids to reclaim a tour card he first earned back in 1995.
Milkins is scheduled to take on Sybren Sokolowski on Thursday, May 28 at 17:00 in Q School 2 if he fails to pick up one of the four tour cards on offer from Q School 1.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/04/26/3955775-80329208-2560-1440.jpg)
Watch shocking moment Milkins throws cue on floor in anger after miss
Video credit: TNT Sports
Other players competing at Q School this year include Mark Davis, Allan Taylor, Sanderson Lam, Mitchell Mann, Barry Pinches, Mark Joyce, Andrew Higginson and Peter Lines.
Meanwhile, another four tour spots are available from the Asian & Oceania leg of Q School, with four tour cards up for grabs between May 13-24 in Bangkok.
The field includes Thai potter Sunny Akani, who has earned praise from Ronnie O'Sullivan for his work in designing cues for fellow professionals.
Add TNT Sports as a preferred source here to enjoy more content like this.
The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is HBO Max, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports and entertainment in one destination.
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement