The GBSA is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Ian Platt on Monday 26 October 2026, following a short illness.
Ian was one of Guernsey’s top players during the 1990s and much of the 2000s, winning numerous individual and team honours. Norman Wale Handicap titles in 1997 and 2002 sandwiched Ian’s finest individual achievement as he became the last Island Champion of the millennium, defeating Paul Le Sauvage 4-1 in the 1999 final. Prior to these titles, Ian also claimed two Quickfire Snooker titles, his 1994 victory followed by a successful defence the following year.
Ian joined the sport relatively late in the late 1980s but a solid, repeatable cue action saw him take to snooker like a duck to water and he soon found himself competing at the top level. He was a key member of the exciting young Guernsey Snooker Centre (GSC) B team that consistently challenged for the Premier League crowns in the late 80s and early 90s alongside Adrian Trustum, Paul Hillion, Gary Le Noury and Dean Loaring, helping the side to back-to-back Premier Division crowns in 1991-2 in a highly competitive top-flight era. GSC B also ruled the Team Straight roost in a four-year title-winning sequence spanning 1989-92, with a Team Handicap title making it a team knockout double in 1989.
As well as the GSC B, Ian also starred for the Ex-Service A team alongside Tony Loaring, Charlie Browning and Paul Le Sauvage in a prolific period in the first half of the 2000’s. Of particular note was the team’s ’grand slam’ season of 2001-02 when the side captured the Premier League title, both team knockouts and the Upton Trophy. A further league title followed in 2004, with the team also capturing four team knockout titles in 2000-2 and 2004 plus team handicap titles in 2001-02. The 2004 Upton title was the final act of success in this golden period for the Ex-Service side.
A solid technique - Ian was unique as a top player who rarely played a shot using sidespin - and a dogged competitive spirit served Ian well during his period of sustained success, earning him multiple inter-insular ‘caps’ alongside the titles mentioned above. Ian was an expert exponent of the play-off frame, with an enviable record of success when called upon to play a team knockout decider. The GSC ran weekly Saturday competitions during the late 80s and early 90s, and Ian also enjoyed considerable success in this regard, scooping many victories and a few quid in the process.
Our sincerest condolences go out to Ian’s wife and daughter, the rest of his close family and friends at this sad time.
Honours
Island Champion 1999
Norman Wale Handicap 1997 and 2002
Quick fire 1994-5
Billiards Handicap 1993
GSC B 1989-92 league
Ex-Service A grand slam 2001/02
League 2002 and 2004
Team KO 2000-02 and 2004
Team Handicap KO 2001-02
Upton 2002 and 2004
Multiple Island team appearances