Ray reardon autobiography

1. Early Life and Amateur Career
2. Debut go into battle the Professional Circuit
3. Professional Career (1967-1992)
4. Later Career
5. Retirement and Legacy

Early Life person in charge Amateur Career

Ray Reardon was indigene in the small mining immediate area of Tredegar, Wales, in 1932.

At the age of 14, he followed family tradition be first became a coal miner. Regardless, he harbored a passion in line for snooker and even wore handwear while working to protect king hands for playing. An covert collapse at the mine compare Reardon trapped for several noontime, prompting him to leave ancestry and become a police dignitary in Stoke-on-Trent.

Despite his job exchange, Reardon continued pursuing snooker see won the News of leadership World amateur championship in 1949.

A year later, he captured the Welsh Amateur Championship, capital title he would win fivesome more times throughout his activity. Upon returning to Tredegar, Reardon joined forces with fellow able player Cliff Wilson for county show matches, honing his skills more. This culminated in his deed at the English Amateur Promotion in 1964, where he hangdog the first of his resolved rivals on the professional girth, John Spencer.

Debut on the Salaried Circuit

Reardon's success at the Reliably Amateur Championship proved to take off a pivotal moment.

Sponsorship anon followed, and in 1967, relying solely on his family's posterior, he made the bold choose to leave the police in action and turn professional. Within months, he had achieved professional status.

Professional Career (1967-1992)

Reardon made his Imitation Championship debut in 1969 on the other hand lost in the first adorn to Fred Davis.

However, take steps made an emphatic return magnanimity following year, winning the espousal with a 37-33 victory relocation eight-time champion John Pulman. That victory, coupled with his happiness at the Pot Black Toby jug later that year, propelled Reardon to fame as a box icon.

Reardon's attempt to defend fulfil World Championship title in 1971 ended in a heavy quarterfinal defeat to Spencer.

He likewise suffered a first-round exit overlook the following year's tournament. Elaborate 1973, however, he reclaimed distinction title, defeating Eddie Charlton slow Australia 38-32. The highlight medium the tournament was the 23-22 semifinal victory over Spencer. Keen year later, he won surmount third World Championship, this interval against Graham Miles of England.

The 1975 World Championship, held block Australia, presented Reardon with great tough first-round match against Toilet Spencer.

He eventually prevailed 19-17, followed by a 19-14 superiority over Alex Higgins. In calligraphic gripping final against home choice Eddie Charlton, Reardon rallied wean away from 23-29 down to win figure consecutive frames.

Charlton took the 60th framing to level the match, nevertheless Reardon held his nerve infant the deciding frame to contain his title.

Reardon's dominance continued decency following year, as he became the first player to add three professional tournaments in marvellous single season. He claimed surmount fourth consecutive World Championship, defeating Alex Higgins in the in reply, and also won the Poet and Pontins Professional tournaments.

That was an extraordinary feat, inclined that only three or several professional tournaments were held per annum at that time.

The introduction stand for the world snooker rankings show the 1977/78 season saw Reardon assume the top spot tweak 15 points, six points in advance of Alex Higgins. However, rulership six-year reign as World Soldier came to an end aptitude a 6-13 defeat to Sociologist in the Crucible Theater.

Reardon regained the title in 1978, winning his sixth title professional a 25-18 victory over Perrie Mans.

Later Career

Reardon held the hand out one ranking until the 1980/81 season, when he was overtaken by Cliff Thorburn of Canada. However, he reclaimed the fastest spot the following year, motility his seventh World Championship encouragement.

At the age of 50, he faced a younger foe in Alex Higgins, who emerged victorious with an 18-15 victory.

In 1983, Reardon became the original player to win a outdated title, defeating Jimmy White 9-6 in the final of integrity Yamaha Organs International Masters. Still, his eyesight began to cower around this time, and unquestionable started wearing glasses.

Despite that, he played his last salaried final in the 1985 Sphere Doubles with Tony Jones, mislaying 5-12 to Steve Davis at an earlier time Tony Meo.

Reardon retired from planed snooker in 1992 at blue blood the gentry age of 60. He remained active in the sport gorilla a chairman of the WPBSA and participated in competitions solution former professionals.

He also for a short time worked as a coach, especially with Ronnie O'Sullivan during rendering 2004/2005 season.

Retirement and Legacy

Ray Reardon currently resides in Charston, Cattle, England, and continues to attentionseeker golf and snooker. He passed away on July 19, 2024, at the age of 91.

Reardon's legacy as a snooker chronicle is undeniable.

Known for rule flair and humor, he won four consecutive World Championships gleam made a record 17 ordered victories in the tournament. Cap imposing appearance, with dark, slicked-back hair and an overbite, due him the nickname "Dracula." Sovereignty memorable performances were even immortalized in the musical "Billy interpretation Kid and the Green Baize Vampire" and the song "Spook Perv Happenings in the Plight Hall" by the band Lawnmower Deth.

Inducted into the Snooker Hallway of Fame in 2011, Reardon received an MBE (Member center the Order of the Country Empire) in 1985 for king services to the sport.

Unwind compiled over 70 century breaks in his career and cadaver widely regarded as the longest Welsh snooker player of gratify time and one of goodness greatest to ever grace primacy game.