COLIN MORTON was often painted as one of snooker's black sheep during the Nineties.

It was all a bit harsh; a mucky mid-grey would have been nearer the mark.

He liked a pint. Perhaps he didn't practise as hard as he should have done since turning professional and he also lacked the mega-bucks financial backing that other more fortunate, but perhaps not more skilful, players enjoyed.

And he did like a pint.

After a few years struggling in the lower reaches of the game he threw in the towel, got a job as a postman in his home town of Accrington and began to relax and enjoy himself.

Twelve months ago he was thrilled to be invited by the English Amateur Snooker Board to play again for England in the home internationals.

The last time had been 10 years earlier when he starred alongside such players as Dave Harold, Anthony Hamilton and Peter Ebdon who all went on to make big names for themselves.

And now he has been given the ultimate accolade -- an invitation to captain England in this year's internationals against the best players in Europe.

Says Colin: "I still get a buzz out of the game. I want to pot every ball and win every match. Nobody's as keen as I am and it was a big thrill to get into the England squad last year, especially as I'd had a few disappointing years.

"Now, to be given the captaincy of your country! Well, there's no higher honour and I'm going to give it my best shot. Nobody will be trying any harder."

Morton, barely tall enough to reach half the letterboxes in Accrington, will be easily the oldest player in the England team. He's 40 now and at the age when most top snooker players are reaching for their glasses and slippers. The rest of the squad are nearly all in their 20s.

Fortunately for Colin he looks even younger than most of 'em and has more experience of snooker --and life -- than the rest of them put together.

It's going to be a hectic week -- September 14-21 -- with the Pontin's Open running alongside the internationals at Prestatyn. Last year Colin picked up £2,000 when he finished runner-up to Leeds-based Indian star Kul Kuldesh.

Colin recalled: "I was 3-2 up in the final when my ferrule came off. I won't say I'd have gone on to win but it didn't help."

Won't it be a bit of a problem captaining England and playing in the Open?

"Not really," he says confidently. "On one day last September I played two international matches and three matches in the Open; about 17 frame in all. It won't bother me."

Back in 1987 he was also beaten in the Pontin's final -- 7-5 by Ken Doherty who went on to win the Embassy World Championship. He is hoping that 2001 might be third time lucky.

Colin has been playing some of the best snooker of his career and last season he won both the Poplar Classic and, for the third time in a row, the North West championship.

And he still likes a pint.