CHRIS Norbury is ready to come in from the snooker wilderness and join the big time once again.

The Accrington potter has been playing on the fringes of the game since dropping out of the world’s top 96 players two seasons ago.

But having tasted life on the main tour, the 22-year-old — who rose as high as 64 in the world — is confident he can still be a force to be reckoned with.

“I have never once doubted my ability and I still think I am good enough to get back on the main tour,” said the former Moorhead High School pupil. “I was on the tour for a couple of years and loved it. It didn’t quite go to plan but I think I was a bit unlucky because I lost quite a few last frame matches which ultimately cost me my place.”

Norbury, who trains at Shokat Ali’s Elite Snooker Club in Lostock Hall, is currently ranked one on the Snooker Pro Ticket Tour and is well placed on the Challenge Tour.

The top ranked player on the Pro Ticket and the first eight on the Challenge Tour all earn automatic places on next year’s main tour — incentive enough for Norbury to continue his current good form.

Norbury, who was based out of Potters Snooker Club in Great Harwood until it closed, won event one of six on the Snooker Pro Ticket in Woking and is hoping for more joy in the second event which takes place in Leeds.

And while he has plenty of work to do on the Challenge Tour — he is currently ranked 37th after four rounds — Norbury believes he can climb the rankings in that event too.

“Obviously I am delighted to have won the opening even in the Snooker Pro Ticket and it is my intention to stay in top spot. I’ve had a couple of last 16 places on the Challenge Tour but if I can progress a bit further in the next few events then I think I could climb in to the top 10.”

When Norbury was on the main tour, he competed in all of the top competitions including the World and UK Championships but his best performance was reaching the last 32 of the Grand Prix in Preston where he beat James Wattana.

Now he is hoping to rediscover the form that took him to the brink of the game’s elite.

“In this game, the difference between success and failure is very small. I’ve had a bit of bad luck now I just need a bit of a break.”

And that break appears to have come from his reserve cue.

“I was thinking about changing my cue but because I had it for so long it was difficult for me to replace it,” added Norbury. “As it is, it needed repairing so I used a replica I had made up, played well with it and have used it ever since.”

While Norbury has slipped out of the limelight, he has still been able to continue to play as a professional thanks to his earnings and sponsorship.

And he has received a huge boost as main sponsor North Lancs Training Group Ltd, extending their sponsorship and support for the fourth successive year.

NLTG’s Managing Director, Jim Harkness, said, “We support many charities within the area and also support young people in their quest for sporting success. Chris has been an exemplary ambassador for the Group over the past three years and we feel sure he will continue to do so during the forthcoming season.”

“I can’t thank my sponsors enough,” added Norbury who is also supported by Soverign Leisure and Accolade Logistics from Clayton. “They have enabled me to stay as a professional and with their help I am certain I can get back on the main tour.”