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Barry Hearn has put himself forward as a candidate to replace Sir Rodney Walker as chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, saying he would “relish the challenge” of breathing new life into the sport.

Walker has offered himself for re-election at the organisation’s AGM on December 2 – a year earlier than he needed to – in what is being seen as a vote of confidence.

Hearn, who promotes Premier League snooker and also chairs the Professional Darts Council, said of his willingness to stand: “I would, of course, only consider this with the backing of the players.

“If the players decide they are happy with the way things are at present and they re-elect Sir Rodney I would of course respect that decision and continue to do all I can to create playing opportunities through existing channels.

“I am not currently looking for, neither do I need to take, this step. However, I do believe that there has never been a better time for expansion of the game and it would be a challenge I would relish.”

Hearn has the backing of the Snooker Players Association, a new union that WPBSA refuses to recognise.

Its spokesman, Pat Mooney, manager of world champion John Higgins, said: “The SPA has over the past months used all routes available to present the wishes of the membership with little success. We believe there must therefore be either a change of thinking or a change of personnel within the [WPBSA] board to ensure the development of the game is in the proper hands.”