Key Points

• Greg Gamlin, a player born in Bedminster, Bristol, is among the members of the Scottish Men’s national pool team that achieved an extraordinary success in World Championships in Marrakech, Morocco.
• Scotland won 8-3 in the final game, thus winning the world title for the first time ever in a specific shootout format.
• Greg Gamlin dedicated his incredible win to the memory of his deceased mother who was born in Uddingston, Glasgow and died in 1996.
• He started playing the game at the age of eight in the The Fox pub in Windmill Hill, Bedminster, which was owned by his parents.
• His talents were noticed by the professional player Tony “The Basher” Holgate at the age of 12 when he managed to defeat him twice in a demonstration match.
• In 2022, Greg Gamlin decided to stop playing because of political reasons and returned back to the game in 2025.
• He stressed the tremendous financial costs of playing the game as this year he paid £6,000 for traveling, accommodation, and entry fee.
• In the future, he hopes to achieve a European title in February.

Bristol (Bristol Express News) October 15, 2026 – Bristol-raised cueist Greg Gamlin helped guide the Scottish Men’s national pool team to a historic World Championship victory in Marrakech, Morocco, overcoming personal obstacles, financial burdens, and a brief hiatus from the sport to claim ultimate international glory.

How Did Greg Gamlin Help Scotland Make Pool History in Marrakech?

As reported by Freddie Everson of Bristol Live, Greg Gamlin was an integral member of the Scottish Men’s national pool team that clinched the World Championships in Marrakech, Morocco. The landmark victory marked the first time that the nation has ever claimed the world title in the specific shootout format, with Scotland securing a resounding 8-3 victory on the night.

Reflecting on the euphoric winning moment, Greg Gamlin explained to Freddie Everson of Bristol Live that he “turned to my mate and said, ‘mate we are world champions!’” The pool player further stated that “winning it was beyond our dreams,” adding that

“even just saying it, I never thought I’d be able to do it”.

The achievement holds profound emotional significance for Gamlin, whose mother was born in Uddingston, Glasgow, and passed away in 1996.

“Representing Scotland for me is huge. I am doing it in memory of my mum,”

Greg explained to Bristol Live. He further elucidated,

“All of my family above me have gone. So, they never got to see me achieve that”.

What Were the Early Beginnings of Greg Gamlin’s Pool Career in Bristol?

Although his recent international success has been achieved under the banner of Scotland, Gamlin’s foundational journey in the sport began locally in Windmill Hill, Bedminster, Bristol, where his parents owned The Fox pub. As documented by Freddie Everson of Bristol Live, Gamlin joined his father’s pool team at the tender age of just eight.

Recalling those early days, Gamlin noted how his dad was “ringing around the pubs when we were playing to see if I was allowed in to play”. The young player persisted before a pivotal turning point at the age of 12 solidified his ambition to pursue the game seriously.

Gamlin’s family had arranged an exhibition at their pub featuring professional player Tony “The Basher” Holgate. Greg recollected beating the pool legend twice during the event, which prompted Holgate to urge his father to nurture his natural talent. As Gamlin told Bristol Live,

“At the end of the exhibition, he turned around to my dad and said, ‘Get that boy playing. He is a good player.’”

Remarkably, three decades later, their paths crossed again when Holgate commentated on Gamlin playing at the World Championships in Ireland.

Why Did the World Champion Briefly Step Away From Pool?

Despite his lifelong dedication, the journey has not been without interruption. Gamlin stepped away from the sport in 2022 following a “political issue” after an event in Scotland, before eventually staging a comeback in 2025.

Recounting his return to the competitive arena, Gamlin elucidated to Bristol Live:

“My old manager rang me up and said, ‘We want you to come back. Would you consider it?’”

He added,

“I had missed it, and I thought, yes, why not give it a go. See if I can still play.”

What Are the Financial Realities and Future Goals Facing the Champion?

Even at the pinnacle of international competition, Gamlin acknowledges the stark economic challenges embedded within professional pool, particularly when compared to sports like snooker that enjoy higher levels of publicity and sponsorship.

“This year alone, it’s cost me £6,000 to play pool,” the international competitor revealed to Freddie Everson of Bristol Live, detailing how travel, accommodation, and tournament entry fees continuously accumulate. For anyone interested in assisting his ongoing career, Gamlin noted that potential sponsors can reach out to him via Instagram and Facebook.

Looking ahead, the newly crowned world champion has already shifted his focus to the next competitive horizon. When asked what comes next for the Scotland international, Gamlin confirmed that he has cast his eyes toward more silverware, stating,

“Hopefully, we can seek a European title as well. Now that we are world champions, why not?”

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Background of the Particular Development

The growth of competitive cue sports, specifically blackball and international pool formats, relies heavily on regional club structures and international federations. Players often qualify to represent countries based on ancestral ties, which allows competitors like Gamlin—born and raised in England with Scottish familial heritage—to represent Scotland on the global stage. International tournaments organized in regions like Marrakech bring together top-tier talent under strict shootout rules that test high-pressure decision-making and rapid execution. Over the decades, grassroots venues such as traditional British pubs have served as the historical incubator for professional cue sports talent across the United Kingdom, though rising travel and participation costs have placed an increasing financial burden on independent athletes operating outside heavily commercialized mainstream circuits.

This milestone development serves as a major inspiration for grassroots sports communities in Bristol, particularly within neighborhoods like Bedminster and Windmill Hill where local talent is nurtured in community venues. For Greg Gamlin personally, achieving a world title and setting his sights on the European championship in February could elevate his profile, potentially attracting vital corporate sponsorships to mitigate the £6,000 annual out-of-pocket expenses highlighted in his interview. Regionally, stories of local figures achieving international acclaim help drive youth participation in cue sports, encouraging local pubs and community clubs to invest more heavily in youth team structures despite the broader economic hurdles facing minor sports disciplines.