Allister Carter, or Ali as he prefers to be known, has boyish looks which conceal a grim determination which has, in just a few short seasons, made him a regular in the televised stages of major events.

He joined the professional ranks as a 17-year-old in 1996 but made very little impression during his first season. He finished down in 286th place and did not qualify for a place the following year although he did play in the world championships and progressed through several qualifying rounds. He was however back on the tour for the 1998/99 season and, although he only reached the last 64 in one event, he did enough to retain his place for another season.

He made a poor start to the 1999/2000 season losing his opening match in the British Open but it was the next event, the Grand Prix at Preston, which was to bring Ali's name to the attention of all. Having got to the televised stage he then beat Stephen Hendry on the way to the semi-final where John Higgins proved too good for him. He followed this with victory in the Benson & Hedges Championship which gave him a place in the Masters event itself at Wembley. There he proved that what happened at Preston was no fluke as he disposed of Steve Davis before losing to Ken Doherty in the second round. He only had one other appearance in the final stages of a ranking event but still moved into the top 100 for the first time. He was, as a result of his performances during the season, selected as one of the WSA's first Young Players of Distinction.

He reached the last 16 of the 2001 Regal Scottish Open beating, on the way, Stephen Hendry again and in the 2001/02 season he got to the last 48, at least, in six events including the quarter-final of the British Open and ensured a top 32 place. In the following campaign he again reached the British Open quarter-final and the same stage of the Scottish Open. Even though he reached the Crucible for the first time he just failed to make the top 16 by less than 100 points but has a good platform from which to make a strong challenge over the next season.
 

Achievements:

2005 Masters Qualifier runner-up

2005 World Championship Last 16

2004 UK Championship quarter-finalist

2003 LG Cup quarter-finalist

2003 UK Championship Last 16

2003 Scottish Open quarter-finalist
2002 British Open quarter-finalist

2001 British Open quarter-finalist
1999 Grand Prix semi-finalist
1999 Benson & Hedges Championship winner