Yorkshire heritage brand and renowned British manufacturer of premium leisure cloth, Hainsworth Cue Sports Fabrics, has welcomed former 1997 world snooker champion and BBC broadcast commentator Ken Doherty as its first-ever ambassador.

The Irish snooker icon will step into a 12-month ambassador role, with his appointment marking a strategic partnership forged to help grow brand awareness and reinforce Hainsworth’s dedication to quality, precision, and the heritage of cue sports.

The alliance will see him representing the brand at major events, supporting product innovation, and promoting Hainsworth Cue Sports Fabrics commitment to players of all levels.

A celebrated figure in the world of professional snooker, Ken Doherty's career spans over three decades, marked by his World Championship title, six winning ranking event titles, a 12-year run ranking inside the top eight, and building a respected presence as a commentator and ambassador of the sport. To this day, Doherty is still the only professional player to win the treble, which includes the World Juniors, the World Amateur, and the World Professional Championships.

Doherty explains:

“I’m a traditionalist. I love the history and heritage of the game. Hainsworth Cue Sports Fabrics shares those same values. It’s a company built on tradition and quality, so it’s a great fit for me."

“You can see the detail, hard work and technicality that goes into making the cloth, and it’s improved immensely over the years. That’s the great thing about what’s happening in cue sports around the world – everybody has really upped their game."

“Hainsworth produces three different types of cloth, but the quality across the board is superb. The speed is fantastic. Professionals love a fast cloth because it allows you to manoeuvre the cue ball without forcing the shot. It’s one of the fastest cloths I’ve ever played on.”

Hainsworth has been a trusted name in cue sports fabrics for generations, supplying championship-grade, premium woollen fabrics to some of the most prestigious tournaments, venues, and manufacturers worldwide. The British textile manufacturer weaves its high-quality snooker and pool table cloths at AW Hainsworth’s 243-year-old woollen mill in Stanningley, West Yorkshire, combining tradition with innovation to deliver world-class playing surfaces.

The manufacturer creates and supplies a range of graded pool and snooker fabrics to international customers, including professional players, world-leading tournaments and independent fitters.

Amanda McLaren, Managing Director of AW Hainsworth said:

“Ken Doherty is a true champion and legend of the sport. His integrity and love for the game perfectly align with our values. We are thrilled to welcome him to the AW Hainsworth family and look forward to working together to elevate the game even further.”

Photo: Andy Laycock, Phil Atherton, Ken Doherty and Nigel Birch in Hainsworth Mill