The qualifiers take place at the South West Snooker Academy in Gloucester this Monday (October 11). Click here for the draw and format. To buy tickets, which cost just £5 for the whole day, call 01452 223214 or buy them on the day. There are 28 players taking part, with the four quarter-final winners to go through to the finals in Peterborough, which will be televised live on Sky Sports.
Wilkinson, from Nottingham, was on the pro tour from 1987 to 2006 and climbed as high as No 5 in the world rankings. He won the World Matchplay title in 1992, beating Steve Davis 18-11 in the final. He has barely touched a cue in recent years but was tempted into entering the Senior qualifiers by the chance to play on Sky.
"It would just be great to have one more taste of playing on TV," said the 45-year-old, who now works for World Snooker as an assistant in the tournament office and media centre at events. "I think all the others who have played on TV and won big tournaments will feel the same. And for those who have never played on TV before, this is their best chance of getting that buzz.
"I do miss playing, especially when I go to the big venues. Plus the money in the seniors is very good - it was only £50 to enter and there's £750 if you lose in the final qualifying round. Mind you it's cost me a few quid because I've had to buy a new waistcoat. I could just about get the old one on but I couldn't bend forward otherwise the buttons would have all flown off and killed someone.
"When I heard that the age limit had been raised to 45 I decided to give it a go. I'll be treating it as a bit of fun, as I'm sure all the players will, but once we get on the table then the enormity of it will hit home. And a few of us will be thinking 'what have I done!' There will be a few stiff joints so we might need an osteopath on hand.
"I haven't played at all in the past five years, but I had a game against Lee Spick yesterday and I'll be playing a bit with David Singh over the next few days. I'll probably do an hour a day. After I retired I couldn't see the point of going for a game with a my mates and bashing balls around. I've always wanted to do things properly.
"I'm not sure what my chances are of getting through, and the matches are only best of three. If I win my first game I'll play Doug Mountjoy and he can still play the game, plus he's been practising with Mark Williams who will have given him some guidance."
Asked to name one moment that stands out as the best in his career, Wilkinson surprisingly does not pick his World Matchplay triumph. "That was obviously fantastic, but the biggest thing for me was the day I turned professional by coming through the pro ticket system. It had always been my dream to turn pro and the thought of having the chance to play the likes of Steve Davis was unbelievable."
The final stages are on November 5 and 6 at the East of England Showground. For more details click here.
