I started as a junior at a time when the likes of
John Higgins was just about to turn professional. My trips to the Master's in Glasgow , Kirkaldy and Stirling gave me the experience as an Amateur to have what it takes to compete in what at that time was a very competitive Junior and Amateur Circuit. I won most of the Junior and Amateur titles culminating in the Scottish National Title, which gave me my automatic pro ticket. That same year I won the Pontin's under 19 title in Hemsby for the second time and the began on the long qualifying road in Blackpool.