BRADFORD legend Joe Johnson is planning to carry on playing snooker despite going out in the final 16 of the World Seniors Championship.

Johnson, who lives in Queensbury, was the oldest player at the World Seniors Championship but at age 69 the Bradford player was "quite happy" with his performance and he described the atmosphere at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield as "electrifying".

"We played on the same table at the Crucible where World Championship final played," said Johnson. "It's the best place in the world to play snooker. The crowds were pretty good for a seniors event. It was electrifying."

Johnson, who is known for winning the 1986 World Championship final against Steve Davis, missed at the recent World Seniors event, when he was beaten 3-1 in the last 16 by Jamaica's Rory McLeod, who Johnson said is much younger and plays on the main tour.

"I'm quite happy with the way I played," said Johnson. "He's a good player and is a guy who plays on the main tour.

"He won the first two frames with breaks of 50 and 86. Then I won the third with a break of 50 but then missed the pink to level it at 2-2. So that final frame could have gone either way.

"I was pleased with how I played, but I had to put a lot of practice work in.

"Because I did two weeks of commentary for Eurosport during the World Championship, I only had four days to practice beforehand, so it was pretty intense for a man of my age."

Johnson said the eventual winner, Lee Walker, was much younger than fellow finalist, the legendary Jimmy White.

"It's almost unfair as he plays on the main tour with all the younger players."

Johnson said that some players like the great class of 1992, featuring the Ronnie O'Sullivan, John Higgins and Mark Williams, are all still playing well.

But he said once players start losing their "near vision" the game becomes much harder.

Just two after beating Steve Davis 18-12 in the 1986 World Championship final, Johnson's eyesight started to go.

However, he still has good memories of that historic final.

"I'd been playing on the tour for about six years, and although I was in the top 16 at the time, I was an outsider to win it.

"But I hit form at just the right time," said Johnson. "I wasn't as good as Steve Davis but I was better over those weeks.

"I wasn't expected to win at all. He was the king at the time."

The 69-year-old Johnson has had success in recent years, winning two seniors titles; the 1997 Seniors Pot Black and the 2019 Seniors Masters.

And Johnson said the because of Covid, he has not had a chance to defend his Senior Masters title.

"I'm still the Masters champion as I haven't defended that title yet. I fully expect it will go ahead later this year."

"I still make the odd maximum break, so I be playing all right. As long as I'm in good health I'll be around for as long as I'm alive."

Johnson used to coach seven to 17 year olds in Bradford prior to the Covid pandemic.

"I brought a lot of decent players who have done well at their clubs and for the county."

After taking a well-earned rest, Johnson said: "I will concentrate on teaching young pros and amateurs.

"I'll mentor them on the intricate shots."