World Snooker Championship 2026: David Gilbert Praises Stan Moody but Delivers Brutal Verdict on British Snooker Youth

While his 12th visit to the Crucible for the 2026 World Snooker Championship ended in disappointment following a 10-5 first-round defeat to Ding Junhui, David Gilbert ensured he still made headlines with his outspoken views.

Competing during the same session as teenage prospect Stan Moody, who had raced into a 6-3 lead over former world champion Kyren Wilson, Gilbert was asked about the 19-year-old’s potential impact on youth participation in the sport.

Gilbert didn’t hold back, offering glowing praise for Moody while delivering a blunt critique of the current generation of British youngsters, and outlining why he believes so few others are taking up snooker.

“I've practised a few times with Stan at my club and have seen how attacking he is. I was shocked when I first played him. He's brilliant for the game and I knew he'd go out there and put frames on the board and the crowd would love him,” Gilbert began, giving a stunning assessment of Moody.

Echoes of Judd Trump in Moody’s Fearless Style

Despite his bright start, Moody was eventually reeled in by Wilson, who used his experience to secure a 10-7 victory in the evening session.

Still, the teenager from Halifax made a strong impression and became the first British teenager to appear at the Crucible since Judd Trump in 2007.

Gilbert even likened Moody’s fearless approach to that of the current world number one.

“He wants to be a part of the big time; he's not scared of it. How he plays is just completely all-out attack. Probably a bit like Judd [Trump], when he made the final when he was a kid and he weren't supposed to. He reminds me exactly of that.”

“He doesn't want to leave the table, he wants to pot every ball, and that's what people want to watch.”

‘Kids Don’t Want to Play Snooker’ – Gilbert’s Blunt Assessment

This marked the point where his tone turned sharply critical. 

As a snooker club owner himself, Gilbert was asked whether a breakout star like Moody could inspire more young players to get involved, but he remains unconvinced. He then delivered a damning assessment of today’s youth.

“Sadly, this day and age, the kids don't want to play snooker, you know, it's too hard and everybody wants to be a social Instagram, a vlogger, whatever you call them, you know what I mean? They want to make money on their phone.”

“Nobody wants to graft or anything anymore. So that's quite sad because it is a shame that there's no British talent anymore. The Chinese guys are taking over, they work hard and they deserve all, all they get for it.”

“It's a tough game and you’ve got to put the time in, that's the problem.”

‘The Game Is Just Too Hard’ for Modern Youth

When asked whether snooker’s governing bodies could do more to attract young British players, the 44-year-old’s response was characteristically direct.

“I think he's just too hard, mate. I think the British, the kids are just all so lazy now and just want to hold a phone and make money. That’s it, you know,” he told SportsBoom.co.uk. 

“When I was a kid, you went to work and earned some money. I worked on the farm for eight pound an hour and worked as hard as anybody for it. You won't get a kid to do that now.”

No ‘Luke Littler Effect’ for Snooker?

What about a best-case scenario, where Moody could spark the same kind of impact in snooker as back-to-back darts world champion Luke Littler has had in his sport? 

Since bursting onto the scene in 2024, Littler has propelled darts’ popularity to new heights.

“Possibly but I don't see it,” Gilbert answered. 

Pool Over Snooker: A Changing Trend

Nicknamed the ‘Angry Farmer’, Gilbert believes cue sports may still attract younger audiences, but not necessarily snooker.

“Kids they want to play pool. It's quick, easy, fast, have a beer and get out of there, you know what I mean?”

“I'd love a young lad to have been local to try and nurture him, sponsor him, bring him up. We've ended up sponsoring pool players. It’s a shame. I'd love the growth to be there, you know? But it isn’t,” he concluded.