Zachary Richardson wins 2025 English Amateur Snooker Championship and adds name to illustrious roll of honour

Snooker's longest-running tournament - which outdates the World Professional Championship by over a decade - was celebrating its 104th edition, and 38-year-old Richardson claims the biggest title of his career, to date.

Richardson was one of 16 players who made it through to the competition's Finals Weekend held at the Landywood Snooker Club; the high-quality venue also sponsored the prestigious tournament.

He qualified for the last 16 earlier in the season when he came through the southern area section held at Frames Sports Bar in Coulsdon, London.

At Landywood, Richardson defeated Jay Bullen 4-1 before compiling breaks of 82, 59 and 72 during a 5-3 quarter-final victory over Jack Harris.

Returning the next day, Richardson registered runs of 52, 50, 87 and 52 as he dethroned defending champion Steven Hallworth 5-2 in the semi-finals.

Hallworth - who is set for a return to the professional circuit next season - was aiming to become the first player since Terry Griffiths in 1978 to win back-to-back English Amateur Snooker Championships.

Emerging through the other side of the draw was 46-year-old Parsons who was back in the final having been runner-up in 2014.

Winner of the one-frame 900 competition in Reading in 2022, Parsons booked his Finals Weekend berth after qualifying through the northern area event which was held at the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds. En route, he ended the campaign of former world number two Tony Knowles.

Parsons ran a very difficult gauntlet in Landywood, eliminating three very recent main tour players.

The route began with a 4-1 win over newly-minted European Amateur Snooker Champion Liam Highfield (who will be back on the pro tour soon) before 5-4 victories over Peter Devlin and Craig Steadman in the quarter and semi-finals respectively.

In the best of 11 frames final, Parsons deposited the opening frame with the help of a 58 break, but Richardson responded with a 108 to level up.

Parsons (58 break) went back in front, but Richardson (74) squared proceedings up again heading into the mid-session interval.

On resumption, Richardson - aided by efforts of 63, 89 and 74 - strung together four consecutive frames for glory.

Richardson’s name will be etched on to the iconic trophy, as he joins a long list of champions that includes John Pulman, Ray Reardon, John Spencer, Terry Griffiths, Jimmy White and Stuart Bingham.

Along with a £2,000 first prize, Richardson also secures a place at next year's European Amateur Snooker Championship.

For results from the Finals Weekend, please visit here.