Snooker: Former world champion Joe Johnson is returning to Bradford after an absence of 13 years.

Johnson, who was last based in his home-town when he won the world title in 1986, is to become the resident professional at The Clubhouse In Cue Gardens at Odsal Top.

The 46-year-old, who has retained his place in the world's top 64 for next season, said: "I was living at Bradford Moor when I won at The Crucible, and I was practising then at Cuedos in Allerton and at Morley Snooker centre.

"Then I was offered shares at Morley and it became the Joe Johnson Snooker Lodge, and after that I moved to The manor at Yeadon from where I am moving now.

"After winning the world title I went to live at Calverley, which is in Leeds, but I am only 150 yards away from the Bradford boundary, and have always considered myself a Bradford lad. Now I plan to live in Bradford again as well as practise there."

There is going to be little or no close season this time in Bradford as the Tetley's Summer League is to resume.

Organiser Eric Hodgkinson is again hoping for an entry of 32 teams, which will be split into four groups of eight prior to play-offs.

The seven group matches will be played over June, July and August, with the finals in September.

The closing date for entries is June 6, and the entry fee is £10. Entry forms are now being distributed to all local clubs.

Richard Lodge (Lidget Green WMC) has won the Yorkshire Billiards Championship - at the fifth time of asking.

He defeated Burley-in-Wharfedale's Steve Crosland 600-559 in the final at the Northern Snooker centre in Leeds.

Lodge is also through to the Bradford final, having beaten Alan Firth 500-287.

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