The Sportsman
World Champion
From childhood passion to champion, Carl's life at the pool table is a unique sporting tale of triumph over adversity
The 'Houdini' Story
From falling in love with pool as a child to winning the world title in 1998 and his triumphant return to the sport - including the iconic shot that went viral - pool has shaped Carl's life on and away from the table. Nicknamed 'Houdini' for his escapes from seemingly impossible situations, it's a moniker which can be applied to Carl's constant ability to turn difficult circumstances into personal triumphs.
Growing up deaf, Carl was attracted to pool by the fact that - unlike team sports - it didn't require communication. As a child who felt isolated, pool was the one solitary activity which could bring him joy. Naturally curious and eager to learn, Carl also used the elements of pool - the mathematics of angles, the physics of movement, the psychology of outsmarting an opponent - to both develop his game and to understand more about the world around him. As a player, Carl's patience, knowledge of the game and tremendous technique quickly marked him as a rising star. Within four years of first picking up a cue, he became Kent's youngest men's county 'A' player in 1990. Eight short years later, he became the youngest ever Pool World 8-Ball Champion and the world's number No. 1 ranked player, a record that stands to this day.
From 1998-2012, Carl never dropped out of the top eight in the world rankings and reached another world final in 2000. After retiring from the game in 2012 to focus on family life, Carl returned in dramatic fashion a decade later. Within a year of his return in 2022, Carl reached #6 in the world rankings and in 2024, the man known to fans as 'Houdini' produced a sensational 'massé escape' which went viral worldwide, and ended with Carl replicating the incredible shot for BBC's Look North. As well as still competing professionally, Carl is also involved in coaching pool hopefuls of every age and ability.
Building a legacy
As one of the most successful and prominent players in pool over the past 35 years (and counting), Carl's record speaks for itself. But his career in the game is as much about representation and support as rankings and titles. Carl's expertise and peerless knowledge of pool have made him one of the most in-demand coaches in the sport. 'Houdini' helped develop two future pros who went on to win world titles, as well as coaching countless amateur players. Carl's passion for pool has proved infectious to those around him, and his brother lifted the World Junior Title in 1998, just days before Carl's triumph in the senior tournament.
As a deaf sportsman, accessibility and inclusion are integral to Carl's approach to life. This was encapsulated by his decision to forgo playing with a fellow pro in the 36Vegas Pairs Cup on TNT Sport, instead pairing up with Richie 'Amazing Feet' Bates, a highly-talented amateur without arms, who grips the cue with his neck. Carl's mantra of "Pool is for everyone" represents a belief that anyone can play and enjoy the game, and his passion remains as strong as when he first picked up a cue forty years ago.
Book Carl for a pool exhibition or coaching on his pool website.
