Paul Scholes has gushed about a £450 trip to watch Ronnie O'Sullivan at the World Championship last week. The Manchester United legend is not renowned for his enthusiasm but spoke glowingly about his experience in Sheffield at the Crucible.
A Dream Come True at the Crucible
O'Sullivan, who has now been eliminated by John Higgins, was in action against He Guogiang when Scholes watched him in action, right behind the legendary snooker player. Speaking to co-hosts Nicky Butt and Paddy McGuinness on The Good, the Bad and the Football podcast, Scholes said: 'I've been telling you how I've wanted to do it for years, go and watch Ronnie O'Sullivan at the Crucible.'
'On my phone I had a look to see if you could buy a ticket, there was one ticket left in the whole theatre – it was three seats away from Ronnie. I clicked on it, it was £450, and I just thought 'f*** it I'm doing it.' It's something I've always wanted to do.'
'I don't really get excited by much, but this was f**king unbelievable!'
A VIP Experience
Scholes added: 'I got there, I didn't really know where to go, so then this woman came over and she was an events manager. I get a guided tour everywhere, she shows me where they all walk out, takes me to the table, sit in Ronnie's chair, have a picture.'
'You know me, I don't really get excited by much stuff do I? But this was f***ing unbelievable, it was one of the best things I've ever done.'
'They took me down to my seat, three seats away from him… honestly, the peace and quiet, I could've sat in that chair for two weeks.'
'I didn't know if he knew who I was, but he did let on to me at the end of it when he was packing his cue away, so I thought 'Oh f***ing hell he knows who I am.''
O'Sullivan's Reaction
O'Sullivan told press after the game: 'It was good to see him. I went: "That's Paul Scholes here". He looks really well, fit, healthy, so good to see him come to the snooker.'
O'Sullivan's journey at the tournament ended at the hands of old rival Higgins in an epic match that ended 13-11. O'Sullivan reached the round of 16 where he was knocked out by John Higgins.
Other Football Faces at the Snooker
Another familiar face from the football world was in attendance as Liverpool defender Milos Kerkez dropped in to watch the action alongside UFC star Paddy 'The Baddy' Pimblett.
The World Championship has reached the quarter-final stage, with Higgins taking on Neil Robertson for a place in the last four. Shaun Murphy and Mark Allen have already secured their progress, while Wu Yize is currently on track to join them, leading Hossein Vafaei at the time of writing.
