Snooker
Welcome to Live View – Take the tour to learn more
Start Tour
There is currently 1 person viewing this thread.
16 Mar 12
02:24
Joined:
Date Joined:
07 Aug 06
Just started reading this.
Same bloke who wrote "Alex through the looking glass".
Well worth a read.
Same bloke who wrote "Alex through the looking glass".
Well worth a read.
Show More
Through the looking glass was a good read and it reminds me my copy is still doing the rounds, typical of mates!
Its difficult to imagine snooker without Alex Higgins even today without his ghost.
Alex was not the best player you ever saw and probably ranked no better than 5th in his day but he was certainly the most exciting snooker has ever had before or since.
Alex did so much for snooker but so much damage to himself, even Jimmy got damaged along the way.
I have often wondered how far he and Jimmy would have gone without booze, nobody can answer that except to say it would certainly have been much further than they did, both under achieved bigtime.
Certainly these guys and their opponents were as good as any today but thats another story.
There are a lot of myths in snooker and a notable one was that Alex fans were the noisiest in snooker, they were not, it was Steve's Romford mob and when Alex and Steve met it was like the rest of the world against Romford but fantastic matches and fantastic memories.
I think the story that sums Aex up for me was when the police received a telephone call from a woman who said Alex Higgins had just passed her window.
The bemused copper said he could do nothing about that until the woman explained, she lived on third floor and Alex had been rowing with his then girl friend.
Alex was taken to hospital but duly played his next match with his arm in a sling and a black eye.
Its difficult to imagine snooker without Alex Higgins even today without his ghost.
Alex was not the best player you ever saw and probably ranked no better than 5th in his day but he was certainly the most exciting snooker has ever had before or since.
Alex did so much for snooker but so much damage to himself, even Jimmy got damaged along the way.
I have often wondered how far he and Jimmy would have gone without booze, nobody can answer that except to say it would certainly have been much further than they did, both under achieved bigtime.
Certainly these guys and their opponents were as good as any today but thats another story.
There are a lot of myths in snooker and a notable one was that Alex fans were the noisiest in snooker, they were not, it was Steve's Romford mob and when Alex and Steve met it was like the rest of the world against Romford but fantastic matches and fantastic memories.
I think the story that sums Aex up for me was when the police received a telephone call from a woman who said Alex Higgins had just passed her window.
The bemused copper said he could do nothing about that until the woman explained, she lived on third floor and Alex had been rowing with his then girl friend.
Alex was taken to hospital but duly played his next match with his arm in a sling and a black eye.
what so some scum bag can get rich on the back of his name no thanks!!!!
There'a great utube clip of him making a ton,in a workingmans club head down on every shot.Its worth watching as there would be very few players that could make it look that easy on those cloths and pockets,alex was a genius but also a battler which made him somethng special.A huge hole in the modern game is a player that has charisma,will to win even when looking beat and no doubt he was agenius,there hasn;t been another player like him and i doubt there ever will be again.
Hi,
Let me just say this as a very close friend of Jimmy's. You would never have the genius without the misdemeanors, so it is very difficult to say 'I wonder how far the would have gone' etc etc.
Just look and admire them both, Alex had a great career and lots of fun, brought joy to millions and entertained himself also. Jimmy still practices hard and has qualified for next weeks China Open. He loves to compete still and had the most brilliant career. He is so determined to get to the crucible this year in memory of Alex, he is only 2 games away.
They are two outstanding characters.
Let me just say this as a very close friend of Jimmy's. You would never have the genius without the misdemeanors, so it is very difficult to say 'I wonder how far the would have gone' etc etc.
Just look and admire them both, Alex had a great career and lots of fun, brought joy to millions and entertained himself also. Jimmy still practices hard and has qualified for next weeks China Open. He loves to compete still and had the most brilliant career. He is so determined to get to the crucible this year in memory of Alex, he is only 2 games away.
They are two outstanding characters.
onefourseven147.
I cant say I disagree with what you say but Alex was quite different in the beginning and the early seventies was where he really was at his best as a player.
Not being able to drive did have a huge effect on him, mainly because the countless lonely hours in hotel rooms and bars was a seduction into drink that saw him become harder to handle as his career progressed.
Of course its all part of the legend but there is no doubt whatsoever he should have taken more titles as should have Jimmy.
Anyway snooker could do with their likes again and both would still be in the top 5 had they been born a little later, it was in their heads and hands. So many players today seem so brittle but again that could just be because the speed of cloth is a huge factor.
I cant say I disagree with what you say but Alex was quite different in the beginning and the early seventies was where he really was at his best as a player.
Not being able to drive did have a huge effect on him, mainly because the countless lonely hours in hotel rooms and bars was a seduction into drink that saw him become harder to handle as his career progressed.
Of course its all part of the legend but there is no doubt whatsoever he should have taken more titles as should have Jimmy.
Anyway snooker could do with their likes again and both would still be in the top 5 had they been born a little later, it was in their heads and hands. So many players today seem so brittle but again that could just be because the speed of cloth is a huge factor.
moondan
some points well made
I just spoke to Jimmy and he is striking it well, if you guys remember the last time he played Judd he should have won, he has teh game still so if a fancy price i will be on.
The 4 I have backed are
Stephen Lee (backed him last two tournaments, just moved home, very settled and happy and secure in top 16 so really is in good frame of mind) a good price around 25/1
Neil Robertson
Ronnie O Sullivan
Shaun Murphy
Good Luck !
some points well made
I just spoke to Jimmy and he is striking it well, if you guys remember the last time he played Judd he should have won, he has teh game still so if a fancy price i will be on.
The 4 I have backed are
Stephen Lee (backed him last two tournaments, just moved home, very settled and happy and secure in top 16 so really is in good frame of mind) a good price around 25/1
Neil Robertson
Ronnie O Sullivan
Shaun Murphy
Good Luck !
0nefourseven147.
I am going for another northern Ireland player Mark Allen for china and Sheffield at 16s for either I think he is value and not without a bit of attitude like Alex.
Its incredible to think this year is the 30th anniversary of Alex's clearance to snatch the worlds from Jimmy.
That clearance had a huge impact on snooker history I am sure as Jimmy would have added a couple more at least.
Jimmy and Alex gave me so much pleasure through those years and although Hendry is the best I have seen those 2 were my favorites and that will never change.
Good luck with Steven Lee, nobody has hit a ball as sweetly as him, I have ripped out my hair over some of his shot selections at times in a match but he is on a high at present.
I am going for another northern Ireland player Mark Allen for china and Sheffield at 16s for either I think he is value and not without a bit of attitude like Alex.
Its incredible to think this year is the 30th anniversary of Alex's clearance to snatch the worlds from Jimmy.
That clearance had a huge impact on snooker history I am sure as Jimmy would have added a couple more at least.
Jimmy and Alex gave me so much pleasure through those years and although Hendry is the best I have seen those 2 were my favorites and that will never change.
Good luck with Steven Lee, nobody has hit a ball as sweetly as him, I have ripped out my hair over some of his shot selections at times in a match but he is on a high at present.
jimmy has been striking it well for years but by his own standards his game is shot and the results prove it shame as one of the best but that was a long time ago best thing for him and davis to do is retire and play the seniors game good money can be won
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vCYf_ZCWZM&feature=related
Still a genious unreal,beest one i've ever seen
Still a genious unreal,beest one i've ever seen
moondan
when i ask jimmy about opponents he always says
1, Davis is the best player he has ever played
2, O Sullivan is the most naturally gifted player he has ever seen
when i ask jimmy about opponents he always says
1, Davis is the best player he has ever played
2, O Sullivan is the most naturally gifted player he has ever seen
0nefourseven147.
A few years ago Jimmy and Ronnie were being interviewed together on a sports program and of course the final question was who was the best.
Jimmy said Alex and Ronnie said Stephen, we know they were all great players but Stephen destroyed Davis and he also stopped Ronnie from winning 3 world titles.
I think as the years drift by opinions change and the safest bet is to say thw one that won the most important titles will be considered the best, especially if you habe the meat and the bones.
Jimmy has had a nice run out this morning but a proper examination tomorrow, love him to do it though.
A few years ago Jimmy and Ronnie were being interviewed together on a sports program and of course the final question was who was the best.
Jimmy said Alex and Ronnie said Stephen, we know they were all great players but Stephen destroyed Davis and he also stopped Ronnie from winning 3 world titles.
I think as the years drift by opinions change and the safest bet is to say thw one that won the most important titles will be considered the best, especially if you habe the meat and the bones.
Jimmy has had a nice run out this morning but a proper examination tomorrow, love him to do it though.
yeah fair enough, Jimmy always states that Davis was his toughest opponent.
Very hard to compare IMO.
Anyway i look fwd to his match with Trump, he will need to get in forst and cut out the loose ones, i was looking for 6/1 and i would bet, shorther though.
Glad to see Robbo scrambled home ;-)
Very hard to compare IMO.
Anyway i look fwd to his match with Trump, he will need to get in forst and cut out the loose ones, i was looking for 6/1 and i would bet, shorther though.
Glad to see Robbo scrambled home ;-)
Have yet to get Tony Francis book but will do soon, have heard good reports. Half way through John Virgos Let Me Tell You About Alex & am enjoying it. Not that well written, but always liked virgo & he's a pretty adept story-teller & its all here, the good & bad of higgins.
One story that stands out which I didnt know. In 1980 higgins is playing thorburn in the world championship final when the bbc interrupt the coverage to bring news of a hostage crisis at the iranian embassy in london. Within minutes the switchboard is jammed with complaints, & 10 minutes later they're forced to go back to the snooker. No other snooker player ever had that appeal. No other player even came close.
One story that stands out which I didnt know. In 1980 higgins is playing thorburn in the world championship final when the bbc interrupt the coverage to bring news of a hostage crisis at the iranian embassy in london. Within minutes the switchboard is jammed with complaints, & 10 minutes later they're forced to go back to the snooker. No other snooker player ever had that appeal. No other player even came close.
He threw that final away as well totally ouyplayed thorburn,was far to ****ure and ended up losing thorburn shouldn;t have even won 10 frames!!
That 147 posted above is unreal,the best i've ever seen absolute monster dish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That 147 posted above is unreal,the best i've ever seen absolute monster dish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Heres a story fer you:
Jimmy always says that the best exhibitions were obviously always with Alex, if the venue held 600 there would be 800 crammed inside 800 outside screaming to get in.
One night they are playing in Newcastle (in the 80's) and they stop off for a few pints of guiness so are late, when they pull up in the car park the organiser comes running over grateful they are there but very flustered. Anyway as they are walking into the venue the organiser turns to Jimmy and says 'Where is the table?' he thought they bought it with em !!!!
They did a few question and answers , autographs and got out quick. TRUE STORY
Jimmy always says that the best exhibitions were obviously always with Alex, if the venue held 600 there would be 800 crammed inside 800 outside screaming to get in.
One night they are playing in Newcastle (in the 80's) and they stop off for a few pints of guiness so are late, when they pull up in the car park the organiser comes running over grateful they are there but very flustered. Anyway as they are walking into the venue the organiser turns to Jimmy and says 'Where is the table?' he thought they bought it with em !!!!
They did a few question and answers , autographs and got out quick. TRUE STORY
In view of Jimmy's record against Hendry, he must have an incredibly high opinion of Davis. It's a very hard thing to understand really.
organiser turns to Jimmy and says 'Where is the table?' he thought they bought it with em !!!!
Howellsy
I think Hendrys record against both Jimmy and Steve has an aweful lot to do with how they rate him, Stephen gave both many sleepless nights and lots of nightmares.
Head to head results for both against Stephen, suggest Stephen slept quite soundly for the much greater part.
Jimmy has always said Hendry is just snookers greatest winner not player.
Ronnie who is snookers greatest talent says he would swop all his talent for a few of Stephens titles. Makes you think doesn't???
I think its fair to say Stephen has nothing to prove and says very little on the subject.
Perhaps he just feels the record book is far more conclusive than opinion.
I think Hendrys record against both Jimmy and Steve has an aweful lot to do with how they rate him, Stephen gave both many sleepless nights and lots of nightmares.
Head to head results for both against Stephen, suggest Stephen slept quite soundly for the much greater part.
Jimmy has always said Hendry is just snookers greatest winner not player.
Ronnie who is snookers greatest talent says he would swop all his talent for a few of Stephens titles. Makes you think doesn't???
I think its fair to say Stephen has nothing to prove and says very little on the subject.
Perhaps he just feels the record book is far more conclusive than opinion.
yeah fer me a close call Davis/Hendry i guess if i had a gun to my head Hendry too
Post Your Reply
Please login to post a reply.
Wonder
Instance ID: 13539