Shane Thompson enjoyed an incredible campaign on the inaugural Ultimate Pool Professional Series – from the eight events held, he won three and was a runner-up in another. The Englishman ended the season as the number one ranked professional, a position he will maintain throughout the 2022 term.

Having lost to Jake McCartney in the final of Event 2, Thompson returned the following month to achieve a remarkable double, claiming both Pro Series events in the same weekend, defeating all-time greats Chris Melling (Event 3) and Phil Harrison (Event 4) in the finals.

‘The Safecracker’ continued his dominance in Event 6, securing the title with a final victory over reigning six-time world champion Michael Hill. At one point during this extraordinary purple patch Thompson racked up a 14-match winning streak on the Series.

Thompson also reached the semi-finals of the Champion of Champions Shootout, and alongside playing partner Tom Cousins, won an opening phase group in the Eative Pairs Cup and eventually finished joint fifth overall.

Thompson was named the 2021 Ultimate Pool Players' Player of the Year and the Fans' Player of the Year.

From the 8-ball pool hotbed of Bristol, Thompson started playing the sport at his father’s pub when he was 11-years-old. He began to take it more seriously when he played for the county youth side and by 17, he was selected for the senior county outfit.

He is in a unique band of players who have represented their country in more than one ruleset, and since 2015, Thompson has been an ever-present member of the England set-up, helping them win four World Team Championships in Blackpool and two European Team Championships.

Thompson's first big win as an individual came in 2011 as a 21-year-old when he secured the BAPTO Singles title in Rhyl.

One of the busiest players on the tournament scene, Thompson has won five UK Tour Challenge titles and several big regional events such as the South West Pool Masters and the Forest of Dean Open.

On the international stage he has been a runner-up in the World Masters (2014), Home Internationals (2018) and a semi-finalist in the European Championship (2019).

Shane 'Safecracker' Thompson Facebook Page

Best UPG Tournament Results

Professional Series: 3x Event Winner (2021 Events 3, 4, 6)
Professional Cup: Last 16 (2021)
Champions League: Last 16 (Still competing in 2022 event)
Professional Grand Slam: Last 16 (2022)
Masters: Last 32 (2021)
Champion of Champions: Semi-Finalist (2021)
Pairs Cup: Joint 5th (2021/22)

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