Bad Boy Snooker Player Known As ‘Angry Farmer’ Storms Out Of German Masters Match – Snooker Freaks

David Gilbert faces disciplinary action after walking out of his German Masters qualifier against Andy Hicks on Wednesday.

The 41-year-old from Tamworth is known as ‘The Angry Farmer’ on tour for his volatile temperament and having periodically spent time working in the family farming and forestry business. And after missing a simple black while trailing 3-2 in frames and 56 points to 1 the world No17 saw red.

Despite being behind there was still a possible 75 on the table and lots to play in the best of nine-frame match when Gilbert gave his opponent the match and place into the next round.

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In despair and exasperation after missing the black Gilbert walked up to Hicks, conceded the match by shaking his hand, picked up the rest of his equipment and walked out as referee Mark King awarded the match 5-2 to Hicks.

The incident at the Morningside Arena in Leicester, with players bidding to get to the main event in Berlin in February, will now almost certainly be referred to the disciplinary arm of the WPBSA where Gilbert could well face a significant fine.

Fans were concerned about the mental welfare of Gilbert following the defeat and commented with their support on social media. One fan said: “Dave is obviously struggling I hope he talks to someone.” Gilbert also received some criticism for not seeing out the match to its conclusion.

However, another fan came to his defence and added: “Hope the guy gets help if he’s struggling. Problem here is people not thinking that he is obviously going through a hard time. Give the guy a break for goodness sake.”

The most famous similar situation occurred when Ronnie O’Sullivan walked out of a UK Championship quarter-final against fierce rival Stephen Hendry in 2006. On that occasion the Rocket, trailing 4-1 in a best of 17 frame contest, was furious at himself after playing a poor positional shot off the black.

And when he missed the next red O’Sullivan stunned both Hendry and the audience by walking up to the Scot, shaking hands and conceding the match. O’Sullivan was fined £20,800 over the admittedly more high-profile incident.

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