New snooker king quick to thank father

SHOCK winner Shaun Murphy dedicated his Embassy World Championship title success to his father Tony and claimed: "Without his help, I would not be in this position."

Murphy, a 150-1 outsider at the beginning of the tournament, came from 10-6 down overnight to defeat Matthew Stevens 18-16 in a gripping final at The Crucible.

The born-again Christian, 22, who plans to buy a new Mercedes with part of his £250,000 first prize, produced a tremendous display of potting power to kill off the challenge of his Welsh opponent.

But he was quick to recognise the part played in the early part of his career by his father Tony, as he starts to contemplate life as the king of snooker. Murphy said: "My father sacrificed a great deal and did so much for me. He would take me everywhere to play and also coach me after school.

"On top of that, he and my mum were paying for it all. I owe everything to them."