I was a bus driver but will referee World Championship final before retiring

BRENDAN MOORE reaches the end of the line tomorrow, capping his journey from Sheffield bus driver to world snooker final ref.

The 51-year-old official will take charge of the two-day Crucible final before hanging up his white gloves following a 19-year career.

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This will complete a hat-trick of world championship finals as two stars battle each other over 35 frames.

Moore refeered the 2014 final when Mark Selby sensationally came from behind to beat Ronnie O’Sullivan.

He was there five years ago when Mark Williams overcame John Higgins and then the Welshman conducted his press conference in the NUDE.

Moore, who is moving on to nine-ball pool officiating duties, used to drive a bus directly past the famous South Yorkshire theatre in the 1990s.

There could be tears in his eyes come the end as he thinks of his father Derek, who passed away a few years ago.

He said: “I’d say the Sheffield bus driver has done alright.

“I love being stood backstage, being announced as ‘Sheffield’s very own.’

“It makes me feel great, proud, walking out in your home city. I’m going to miss that.

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“100 per cent it’s going to be emotional. I’m quite an emotional person anyway.

“That very first walkout on Sunday afternoon could be tough. That coupled with the fact my dad won’t be there. That will add to the emotion.

“Hopefully during the match, it just goes into game-mode and I do the job.

“But on Monday night as it gets closer to the 18th-winning frame that will be the point when I think: ‘Oh hang on, I’m finished.’

“My dad was always there watching at the Crucible. He loved sport. He was a Sheffield United fan but also loved Sheffield Wednesday – so would come to the matches with me and my mates.

“I miss him every day. I’m always thinking about him. Every time I walk out at the Crucible, I always have a glance up at the area where he normally sat.”