We are excited to announce that Home Leisure Direct are now the official sponsor of Gareth Potts; The 3 times world champion and world number 1 pool player. The UK's Number 1 Pool Table Retailer sponsors the World and UK's Number 1 Pool Player, what a fantastic partnership!
Gareth has had an unprecedented career since becoming the youngest ever professional in 2000. He has won a record four world 8 ball Pool tittles, the first as a junior in 2000 then the main senior world championships in 2005, 2007 and 2008.Gareth is the only player to have won the world title 3 times but Potts also holds another exclusive record when in 2008 in became the first person in the history of the sport to successfully defend his world title. A record said by many experts that will never be broken.
He also holds the record for the most major ranking events ever won in 1 season which was no less than 7.
Gareth started playing pool in his mum and dads pub ‘The Winchester’ standing on a beer crate to reach the table at the age of 7. Gareth’s life off the table has been far from easy, in 1997 aged just 13, lost his mum ‘Sandra’ to a long term illness. This in turn brought him and Dad ‘Dave’ even closer by this time all the hours of practise in the pub were starting to show and it became obvious that Potts had a unique talent on the baize. At such a difficult time he began to dedicate his life to his chosen sport and travel to tournaments with his dad. Three years later by the age of 16 Gareth was the most successful junior player in the world winning all 4 major titles in the year 2000? The world, European, British and English championships, as well as numerous team titles with the England team where he was captain for 3 years.
In March 2005 Gareth farther passed away suddenly which turned Gareth’s world upside down. Dave’s wish was for his son to win the world title, ironically and a credit to Gareth mental strength, he went on to win the first of his 3 world titles 3 months later in which he dedicated to his father and will always remain the most special tournament win of them all… “His father is his motivation and idol.”
Gareth’s number 1 fans, as quoted when he won his second world title, are his grandparents. He lived with 'Beaty and Arthur' for a while as a teenager and his grandma is like a mother figure in his life and have both seen him win all of his world titles. Gareth now lives with girlfriend Angie Layton and have been together for 7 years who he describes as his inspiration.
Gareth is talented at most sports he plays, he had trials for Crewe Alexandra at football as a teenager and plays golf to a good standard. From an early age he as liked to keep fit so even now going to the gym is never a chore. Gareth sticks to a strict regime and often trains 3-4 times a week which he believes improves mental fitness as well as physical fitness.
We are proud to have such a positive ambassador for Home Leisure Direct and are looking forward to a long relationship with Gareth and supporting him towards his next World Title.
When speaking with Gareth about his new lead sponsor he says
“I am very excited to be supported and sponsored by the UK’s Number 1 Pool Table Retailer. They have an excellent range of products and I would always recommend that pool players go to Home Leisure Direct for their tables as they are great guys and know what they are talking about!”
We will be have some very exciting news shortly that is top secret at the moment but will be announced next year so watch this space!
Written By: Michelle Beresford