"It'll be special" - Halifax snooker star Stan Moody on his upcoming World Championship debut

Moody, from Sowerby Bridge, will make his World Championship debut on Monday morning, fulfilling a childhood dream of playing at the home of snooker.

And while he is excited at the prospect, he says he is not just there for the occasion. "I'm looking forward to it," he told the Courier. "I beat Kyren last time I played him, in the British Open earlier this year, so anything can happen.

"I'm not scared of anyone and I believe if I play my game and I play well, I can beat anyone so we'll see what happens."

"It'll feel different, my first game at that venue.

"I've been there to watch but I've never been on the arena floor, which will be a bit weird, but I'm sure I'll be alright and once I get going I'll enjoy it and try my best to win.

"I'll be excited and nervous but to me it's just another game of snooker, regardless of where I'm playing.

"It'll be special walking down those stairs for the first time, one of my dreams growing up.

"I just can't wait."

Moody beat Jiang Jun 10-8 in a nail-biting final round qualifier on Tuesday to book his place in the World Championships for the first time.

"I went 8-6 up and he came back to 8-8, and that's when the pressure hit, but I tried to stay as calm as possible," the 19-year-old reflected.

"I had a chance to win 10-8 but didn't take it, missed a tricky black, but to win it one visit in the decider was amazing."

Asked when it sunk in that he had reached the World Championships, Moody said: ""Probably the day after. I woke up and thought 'did that actually happen?' and then sat and thought about it and thought 'yeah, I've done it, one of my dreams'."

Moody's win was made all the more remarkable when he revealed he had been in hospital the day before with tonsillitis.

"They said 'we know you're going to say no but we want you to stay in' and I said 'I've got a match to play'.

"I had some IV and anibiotics and felt a bit better, I was able to eat and drink.

"I don't know how I won the match to be honest!

"It's improving day-by-day. I'm still in pain with it but it's not as bad as it was, I've got more energy and I feel better now. Hopefully I'm on the mend."

Moddy will have friends and family watching on at the Crucible on Monday, but says he doesn't want to fall at the first hurdle.

"My dad's there, my coach. You only get a limited amount of tickets but I've got a lot of friends coming, one of my best snooker mates.

"I just can't wait, it'll be a great day.

"It's the pinnacle, playing at the Crucible, but I don't want it to end here, I want to carry on the run and cause a few upsets."