A Storied Career and Unmatched Influence
Six-time international snooker champion Ray Reardon has handed away at the age of ninety one. The liked Welshman, nicknamed “Dracula” due to his widow’s height coiffure, died on Friday night after a conflict with cancer, his wife Carol showed.
Early Life and Career
Reardon, a former coal miner and police officer, become instrumental in the rise of snooker as a televised recreation during the Nineteen Seventies. Born in Tredegar in 1932, Reardon began gambling snooker and billiards as a teen. He followed his father into the coal mines at Ty Trist Colliery and received the Welsh Amateur Championship every yr from 1950 to 1955.
Transition to Professional Snooker
Reardon later transitioned to a career in the police force but became professional on the age of 35 after triumphing the English Amateur title in 1964 through defeating John Spencer. His first international championship campaign in 1969 ended in a slim 25-24 quarter-final defeat via Fred Davis. However, he claimed his first international identify in 1970 and went directly to win in 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, and 1978. His final victory, in 1978, made him the oldest international champion at 45, a file later damaged by Ronnie O’Sullivan in 2022.
Influence on the Sport
Reardon’s have an effect on on snooker is simple. He stimulated a technology of gamers, together with compatriot Mark Williams, a three-time global champion. Williams remarked on the World Snooker Tour’s legit internet site: “Ray is one of the first-rate sports activities people ever from Wales and the first-class snooker participant. He’s one of the motives why plenty of us started gambling. He put snooker on the map, alongside Alex Higgins, Jimmy White, and Steve Davis. Anyone playing now owes them plenty because they brought reputation to the sport. He is a real notion.”
Tributes from the Snooker Community
Jimmy White also paid tribute on X, pointing out: “Gutted to listen my superb pal Ray Reardon has handed away. A overall class act and very type to me after I become making my manner in the game. A large of the sport. Rest in Peace, mate.” Neal Foulds, a former participant and modern TV presenter, posted: “Awfully sad information that Ray Reardon has surpassed away. A massive of our sport. Thanks for the reminiscences Ray. Rest in peace.”
Legacy and Retirement
In 1982, Reardon reached some other world final but became defeated via Alex Higgins. Throughout his profession, he gained sixteen expert tournaments and have become the game’s first number one whilst scores have been delivered in 1975. Reardon retired in 1991 but continued to play into his nineties, compiling a century break as currently as November final year.
A Beloved Figure
Reardon’s warmth and humor made him a liked discern each within and out of doors the snooker network. Dennis Taylor, the 1985 world champion, expressed his condolences on X: “So unhappy to listen of the passing of the first rate Ray Reardon. Would usually be in my pinnacle eight of all time. Had the pleasure of touring around the world with a real gentleman. Condolences to all his family. RIP Ray.”
Shaun Murphy, the 2005 international champion, wrote on X: “What a man you have been Ray. An absolute animal on the desk, and a complete gentleman off it. It was an honour to spend time with you whether we performed snooker or golf – I’ll treasure each minute. Rest in peace.”
A Lasting Impact
TV persona Piers Morgan also shared his mind: “Sad information. Brilliant player, and this kind of classy gentleman. RIP.” Reardon’s contributions to the sport and his have an impact on on destiny generations of players could be remembered and celebrated for years to come. His legacy as one of the best snooker players and a true gentleman of the sport stays intact.
