Mark Allen provides encouraging update after concerning interview at Northern Ireland Open: ‘I see the light now’

Mark Allen says he can “see the light” in an update after admitting in a concerning interview, following his loss to Jordan Brown at the Norther Ireland Open, that he was “in a bad place”.

Allen, who had not played a professional match since a semi-final defeat at the World Championship in May, lost 4-2 in the first round to Brown and spoke afterwards. He gave an honest and revealing interview where he admitted to not feeling good and to being “really overwhelmed” while hinting that the match could be his last one.

“I just don’t see a future of us sticking in it, if I’m honest,” he said. “It’s sad to say because it’s all I’ve loved to do since I was 12, but the last few months have been really difficult, and it sort of put snooker into perspective for me. But tonight, I’m just trying to survive.”

Following the interview support came flooding in for Allen across social media and the 40-year-old issued an encouraging update on Wednesday morning which further explained his current state of mind.

He admitted that he is still ‘not okay’ but that he is better than he has been over the last few months and having come through some “really dark days” can “see the light now that I couldn’t before”.

He wrote: “I’m not ok, but I’m ok in that itself. I’ve been much worse in the last few months than you saw yesterday. I literally didn’t see a future in anything…..

“My daughter kept me going, the therapists, staff and all the other patients were amazing and helped me through some really dark days.

“I see the light now that I couldn’t see before but I do now. I also know it won’t happen overnight. I’m a work in progress!!!

“My fight and determination on the table has always been there for ones to see. I need to show those same fighting qualities off it now for a while.”

Also included in his statement were thanks supporters for the messages they sent and Allen explained how they “helped me a lot but I’m not going anywhere just yet”. He also revealed that he has been in a mental health clinic for 10 weeks and was discharged so that he could play in Belfast at his home event.

“I have been in a mental health clinic for the last 10 weeks, finally discharging so I could attempt to play in Belfast,” Allen wrote.

“I owed that to my family, in particular my daughter to see me play for what could be the last time….. I also owed it to the fans who have supported me throughout my 21 years on tour.”

Allen’s words also left the door open to a possible return to snooker though his current priority is to continue bettering his mental health.

“I will continue my treatments going forward and then see what’s ahead,” he added.

“I have so much to live for and this is only the beginning of my new journey.”