Former World Snooker Champion John Parrott appears to be on the brink of calling time on his 27 year snooker career after he lost to Chinese teenager Anda Zhang in the World Championship qualifiers yesterday.

The 10-6 defeat leaves Parrott in the precarious position of 65th in the world, one place away from a spot on the tour next season and the 1991 Crucible winner was resigned in chances of competing again in the future.

“If I’m off the tour, it’s fairly certain that I’ll retire. I certainly won’t be playing any lower down. I still have the utmost respect for the game. I’ve just lost in the world championships and I’m not going to stand here and spit the dummy out. But playing-wise, I don’t enjoy the hours of practice any more” said Parrott.

“My children got all my old trophies out downstairs and put them on the cabinet. I can look back and say I was UK, European and world champion all at the same time, so if you can find anywhere else to be a champion then let me know.”

An official announcement on his retirement is now expected if Parrott does not climb back into the top 64 in the world rankings.