Jimmy Robertson admits he had to conquer panic and dread at the table to turn his snooker career around, writes Hector Nunns.

The 32-year-old from Bexhill claimed an emotional first ranking title at the European Masters in Belgium at the weekend with a 9-6 win over Joe Perry.

But Robertson used to be viewed as a softer touch by the big guns – struggling with pressure and nerves against top players on TV.

However having seen how sports psychiatrist Steve Peters helped Ronnie O’Sullivan the owner of O'Sullivans club turned to ‘head coach’ Martin Perry 18 months ago.

And with a new calmness to go with all the ability a player who used to be dogged by fears of embarrassing himself secured a biggest payday of £75,000.

Robertson, who hopes this can be a springboard to make up for the under-achieving years, said: “I have been working with Martin for about 18 months now, and it has done wonders for me.

“Even before this I had my best ever season last year, and despite a poor start this time I relied on so many of the things we have worked on in the final.

“I call him a head coach – but the reason I was driven to approach him in the first place was that something had to change.

“Every time I got on a big stage or on TV up against big-name players and the pressure was high, I wasn’t doing myself justice. And in this sport, you can’t achieve anything like that.

“I was actually panicking out there, it was actually creating feelings in my body that were stopping me playing properly and letting me down.

“I had confidence in him from the other sportspeople he had worked with, and especially Ricky Walden in snooker who had won titles.

“He gave me tools for controlling that, and without giving away all the details of course you want to do like that cliché – play like it means nothing when it means everything. And it did on Sunday.

“I actually used to dread walking out for a big match against a high-profile opponent, when that is what you should live for as a snooker player.

“All these thoughts came through my head that I would embarrass myself and those who were supporting me.

“And now it is almost a complete turnaround, I really look forward to the big occasions as you should and that helped me in Belgium.

“I am not getting too carried away the day after – but I always hoped and wondered if I could win the first title and get that weight off my shoulders if I could kick on from there.

“Now it has happened, you know inside you are a winner, and I want to make the most of my career from here on.”