EmailI was training at the weekend. Nothing to do with snooker, mind. It's the end of the snooker season and I'm still recovering from losing in the semis of the Worlds earlier this month. I knew I wasn't playing so well, but because I was just about edging games, I really thought I was going to nick my third world championship. It wasn't to be, though - a bit of a sickener.
So, for now, I'm concentrating on football. I'm playing in a charity match for Unicef at Old Trafford next Saturday - it's an England 11, made up of footballing legends and celebrities, against a World 11. And I tell you what, we're taking it quite seriously: we've got a proper manager - Terry Venables - proper positions and proper routines.
I always fancied myself as a bit of a footballer when I was a kid. I even got myself (with the help of my dad) a trial at Spurs - I did all right, but then didn't turn up for three weeks because I was playing snooker, so I blew it really with the Spurs. Still, I was an Arsenal fan and I loved my snooker.
On Saturday morning, the car picked me up at 7.30am and took me to the hotel in Chelsea where we were meeting up to get to know each other and have a training session. Gazza, John Barnes, Jamie Redknapp, Tony Adams, David Seaman, Les Ferdinand: they all looked tasty, despite the years. The celebrities included Robbie Williams, Jamie Theakston, Angus Deayton, Damien Lewis and David Gray.
As a player, I'm like Maradona crossed with Pele with a bit of Franz Beckenbauer chucked in. But seriously, I was a bit naff - I'mon the right wing, and I'm OK when I've got the ball, but I don't go looking for it or like tackling.
We watched the Cup Final in the afternoon - fantastic. I fancied West Ham for an upset, but was glad Liverpool pulled through in the end. I like winners winning. I'ma winning man.
On Sunday we were allowed a sleep-in - the car didn't pick me up until 8.30am. At the training ground, we had a massage (not the Kevin Costner type), and there was good banter, with Gazza making everyone laugh. Terry took us through our drills, we had lunch and I got back to Lil for the afternoon. I like being a dad - the more time I spend with her, the more I want to spend with her. In the evening, I went to a mate's house for a game of poker.
Next week, I'm training for the big match every day. I'm already nervous: with snooker, I know roughly what to expect; here, I'm just hoping something goes right.
Ronnie O'Sullivan is a snooker player.
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