Dead Alex Higgins (And Snooker)

[millwall32 114]

I was looking at some older snooker players for the main list.

My pick would be Rex Williams (b.1933)

I didn't realise he had some Father Ted style "financial irregularities" later in life.

Rex Williams - Wikipedia

[En Passant 3,731]

47 minutes ago, millwall32 said:

60% "He was a genius" and 40% "I've met him and I hated him."

 

Of course the two aren't mutually exclusive.

I've always considered him one of the most gifted natural players but never bought into the 'peoples champion' bullshit, I always thought he was a selfish arsehole - at least as much as one can tell from what's available publicly.

[time 8,575]

1 hour ago, En Passant said:

 

Of course the two aren't mutually exclusive.

I've always considered him one of the most gifted natural players but never bought into the 'peoples champion' bullshit, I always thought he was a selfish arsehole - at least as much as one can tell from what's available publicly.

That'd be the booze & drugs.

[En Passant 3,731]

1 hour ago, time said:

That'd be the booze & drugs. 

 

Entirely possible, though again, I've known a bunch of people did too much of both and were perfectly pleasant throughout.

Still I guess it doesn't help if you have a mean streak underneath that shines* through.

 

 

 

*Yeah, I know, I chose the word anyway.

[Arsewipe 202]

4 hours ago, millwall32 said:

I was scrolling through Twitter earlier and there was a lot of stuff about how Alex Higgins would've been 75 today.

Interestingly, the comments were about 60% "He was a genius" and 40% "I've met him and I hated him."

 

 

I'd imagine the 60% never met him.

 

My Dad went to see him play an exhibition game against Tony Knowles at a club in the 80s at the height of his fame. He turned up two hours late and on arrival and obviously pissed he then went to the toilet to powder his nose for half an hour before the organisers managed to get him out to play. He barely potted a ball and then fucked off without signing any autographs or even attempting to engage with the punters.

[millwall32 114]

On 05/05/2019 at 00:33, Deathray said:

So tomorrow and Monday the snooker World Championship will be between a man who did nothing wrong and certainly never tried to throw matches (4:41)

 

 

 

or a man who thinks he's god gift to mankind, but is just a tool.

 

 

Yep, I agree, From 4:41 on it certainly looks like he's trying to throw that frame.

[millwall32 114]

1 hour ago, Arsewipe said:

I'd imagine the 60% never met him.

 

My Dad went to see him play an exhibition game against Tony Knowles at a club in the 80s at the height of his fame. He turned up two hours late and on arrival and obviously pissed he then went to the toilet to powder his nose for half an hour before the organisers managed to get him out to play. He barely potted a ball and then fucked off without signing any autographs or even attempting to engage with the punters.

Yep, that's the gist of a lot of the stories against.

Not a nice man.

[HDS 234]

Jeanette Lee shares some photos on social media and reports she is in ICU after a heart attack. She describes herself as “weak”, but seemingly on the mend.

[drol 11,797]

She was doing well recently. Still think she has some more years to live.

[HDS 234]

1 hour ago, drol said:

She was doing well recently. Still think she has some more years to live.

While a heart attack is serious for anyone, perhaps more so for a cancer patient, I tend to agree with you.

[Sly Ronnie 870]

Not health related but worth noting that 2010 World Champion Neil Robertson has failed to qualify for The Crucible for the first time in 20 years.

[Comped 521]

7 hours ago, Sly Ronnie said:

Not health related but worth noting that 2010 World Champion Neil Robertson has failed to qualify for The Crucible for the first time in 20 years.

It got mentioned on Sportsday this evening, didn't get a full segment but did get a mention.

[harrymcnallysblueandwhitearmy 1,683]

On 14/01/2024 at 13:17, Bated Death said:

Watching Masters Snooker on a lazy Sunday and saddened to see the obvious deterioration in John Virgo’s health.

Sounded okay on commentary today and didn’t look at death’s left middle pocket on Countdown either (though perhaps that was filmed a while ago?).

[Ulitzer95 12,431]

Dene O'Kane (wiki) dead at 61 after fall at home.

[Sly Ronnie 870]

On 15/05/2024 at 04:43, Ulitzer95 said:

Dene O'Kane (wiki) dead at 61 after fall at home.

 

That is sad news. Decent player in his day. RIP.

[Octopus of Odstock 2,180]

I haven't seen any notice of it here, but sadly, Terry Griffiths has been diagnosed with dementia - there is a link to a snooker magazine where the news was announced on Wiki, but also this post on X - 

 

1.  Stead, Marcus (April 2024). "Terry Griffiths – some sad news". Snooker Scene. p. 4.

 

[YoungWillz 20,918]

Rumour that Ray Reardon may have been potted, but unsure of the uncorroborated source: 

Awaiting the usual

[Spade_Cooley 9,474]

That same guy was talking about Reardon's illness last month, and he had the right location for where Reardon currently lives (or not as the case may be) in Torquay. Leaning towards legit.

[YoungWillz 20,918]

John Virgo seems to confirm: 

 

[Master Obit 822]

Ray Reardone

[DCI Frank Burnside 3,870]

20 minutes ago, YoungWillz said:

Rumour that Ray Reardon may have been potted, but unsure of the uncorroborated source: 

Awaiting the usual

John Virgo reporting it so presume it's definitely legit

 

 

 

 

Edit: @YoungWillzgets there himself just before me.

[YoungWillz 20,918]

Just now, Master Obit said:

Ray Reardone

He had a big cue and a winning smile.

[Master Obit 822]

Just now, YoungWillz said:

He had a big cue and a winning smile.

So do I, but I've yet to receive international acclaim for it.

[YoungWillz 20,918]

Just now, Master Obit said:

So do I, but I've yet to receive international acclaim for it.

Maybe you're not arranging your balls right. 

[DCI Frank Burnside 3,870]

Confirmed by World Snooker