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Snooker saved this country. Al Murray: The Pub Landlord: My Gaff, My Rules, London’s Playhouse Theatre
Alex Higgins was the best player drunk that I ever saw. Clive Everton
The 1972 world final was about as different from what we’d expect at the Crucible as it is possible to imagine. It took place in a down-at-heel British Legion now demolished on the outskirts of Birmingham. The only lighting was the upturned trough-type shade over the table. The tiered seating was on beer crates. Clive Everton
There was almost a sense of threat in the air when we were in Alex’s company. And particularly when he lost. Clive Everton
The public decides who its heroes are going to be. And Alex was one of them. Clive Everton
That’s why he [Alex Higgins] was the jewel in the crown for so long. He was the sort of guy that everyone wanted to watch. Barry McGuigan
He [Alex Higgins] loved his gambling. He loved his smoking. He loved his drinking. He loved everything. He loved everything. He must have worn out two bodies. Easy. He will be missed. Ray Reardon
You can shove your snooker up your jacksie. Alex Higgins
I like all things that a fellow at twenty-five likes including my wine, women and song. And I don’t think I should be deprived of that sort of thing just because I play snooker. Alex Higgins
This time I’m in the top two. After next week in Birmingham I think I’ll be the top one. Alex Higgins, interview Nationwide, BBC 1972
Alex In Headbutt Fury. News sports article
They call him Hurricane. Hurricane Higgins. A quiet man. A confident man. You’d never notice him in a crowd. But in his own twilight world Hurricane Higgins is almost a god. Commentary c.1970s cited Alex Higgins: The People’s Champion, BBC 2010
It was his first year as a professional, his first world championship, and here he was in the final. Alex Higgins: The People’s Champion, BBC 2010
8The prize money for the world championship of 1972: £400. And this was the only tournament in town. ibid.
Snooker was about to be re-launched in a brand new vehicle: colour television. ibid.
In the new age of snooker there would soon be a fresh crop of outrageous talents. Cue Jimmy White and the semi-final of the world championship of 1982 when the Whirlwind met the Hurricane. ibid.
Matchroom was clean-cut corporate-friendly snooker and no player was better at it than Steve Davis. ibid.
The fire still burned but consistency was the new mantra. The champion of inconsistency [Higgins] lost more frequently. His frustrations grew and so did his addictions to gambling and drinking. ibid.
He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1998 ... ibid.
Can Bill Werbenuik be the second Canadian to rewrite the history books? Ted Lowe
This young man Jimmy White celebrated his 22nd birthday literally four days ago. Ted Lowe
And Griffiths has looked at that blue four times now, and it still hasn’t moved. Ted Lowe
That’s inches away from being millimetre perfect. Ted Lowe
Steve, with his sip of water, part of his make-up. Ted Lowe
He’s completely disappeared. He’s gone back to his dressing room; nobody knows where he has gone. Ted Lowe
99 times out of a 1000 he would have potted that ball. Ted Lowe
And it is my guess that Steve Davis will try to score as many points as he can this frame. Ted Lowe
All square all the way round. Ted Lowe
Jimmy White has that wonderful gift of being able to point his cue where his is looking. Ted Lowe
The match has gradually and suddenly come to a climax. David Vine
Suddenly Alex Higgins was 7-0 down. David Vine
Ray Reardon, one of the great Crucible champions, won it five times, when the championship was played away from the Crucible. David Vine
10-4, and it could mean exactly what it means. David Vine
No-one came closer to winning the title last year than the runner-up Dennis Taylor. David Vine
When you start off it’s nil-nil. Steve Davis
I’ve always said the difference between winning and losing is nothing at all. Terry Griffiths
And now snooker, and Steve Davis has crashed out of the UK Billiards Championship. Allan Taylor
I am an entertainer. The Rack Pack, Alex, BBC 2016
I’m a snooker player. In the end you’re on your own. ibid. him to her
Bigger even than wrestling. ibid. Hearn to Davis
It’s magic innit. ibid. White with Hearn & Davis et al, re Alex
We need to create an aura of invisibility about you. ibid. Hearn to Davis
They’ll think you’re a total asshole. And that is what we want. ibid.
But at least I miss with style. ibid. Alex to Hearn
You know what the people want? Me. ibid.
Before me it was just old farts taking it in turns to miss. ibid. Alex
‘The snooker players became pop stars.’ Sporting Greats: Steve Davis, Sky Sports 2017
Dominating the sport of snooker Steve Davis would rise to fame in the 1980s. ibid.
‘Almost unbeatable.’ ibid. Barry Hearn
In 1989 Davis claimed his sixth and final world championship. ibid.