BoxRec

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Higgins was his own worst enemy. It's not for no reason he basically has no friends. Everyone who has ever had dealings with Higgins has testified to his unpredictable, erratic and violent behaviour. My dad had a mate who used to play pool with him, and he said that Alex was a compelte and utter liability, starting fights with people constantly and usually getting beaten up. He said that one minute Alex would be quietly drinking his pint, and the next minute he'd be up stubbing a fag out on someone's head with no good explanation as to why. The picture painted was of a completely reprehensible character who people initially gravitated towards because of his reputation, but who in the end ended up reviling the man.

Higgins was like a god to me as a kid, I idolised the man, and he was a real showman, the like of which Snooker has never seen before or since, but he was an absolute nutter, and he alienated himself from the game by behaving like a complete and utter twat.

He tried to chat up Dennis Taylor's daughter, and when Dennis expressed his (entirely justified) dissaproval, Higgins said something along the lines of "I'll have you fcuking shot you feiniann bastard." Or so the story goes.

Even his harshest critics, admitted that Alex Higgins revolutionised the game, and that in terms of pure talent, he was possibly the greatest player that ever lived, but he just could not live within the boundaries of any kind of norm, and thus, went the way of the dodo....

How the fekker is still alive is beyond me, it's quite incredible. Still drinking like a fish and smoking like a chimney by all accounts, even after almost being claimed by throat cancer.

I think its a bit harsh to say Alex has no friends, he's still friendly with Jimmy White I hear and they still play exhibitions together.... whether Higgins has been a good influence on Whites career is another thing though....

james i have just read through your very exhuberant posts and you have claimed 3 different players are "..the best snooker player the world has ever seen."
1 ronnie
2 stephen hendry
3 alex higgins

this thread is only 2 pages long so far, i reckon if it goes a couple more cliff thorburn, patsy fagen and big bill werbenuik might sneak in too.

about the yawning hendry, i saw him do that just after his prime and it was clear the guy was bored with the game. if he'd kept on he would have won at least two more world titles IMO

Stephen Hendry is the most accomplished player in the world, his record is second to none in almost every single area.

However, on best form, I would say O'Sullivan in his stride is pretty much unbeatable.

And finally, for me anyway, Alex is higgins is the most naturally talented player to have graced the game, with Ronnie and Jimmy in second and third.

c'mon, bill wasnt that bad

When on song Ronnie is the best player I've ever seen but for the all round package it's Hendry for me, the cool icy way he used to close out world championship finals was awesome.

Ebdon is actually a very naturally talented player too, I used to play with him a bit before he turned pro (and a couple of times after) and he was a sight to behold. Did turn in to a bit of a twat when he became a face though.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:

DavidPayne wrote:I still rate Davis as the finest player I've seen. It's the consistency that strikes me.

And at 49 he's still a top ten player.

Staggering fact last night - he's reached 17 UK Quarter Finals in 22 years.

Hendry is head and shoulders above Davis, and Davis is a collossus of the game. Look at their records, Hendry's career is just full of records. Most titles in a season, longest unbeaten run, longest spell as world number one, most centuries, most 147's in competition, most televised 147's. You name the record, Hendry has it.

He took Davis' basic game, astute tactics, breakbuilding, long potting, excellent safety, and added an element of fearlessness that wasn't fashionable in Davis' era. People forget now, but when Hendry first came along, he was potting long balls midtable, with the cue ball tucked tight on the baulk cushion, and he was also playing fast too. Hendry's all around game is just incredible, and it was alloyed to an absolutely steely determination, which is best illustrated by his remarkable comeback in the world championships against Jimmy White. Although White choked a bit to come back from 14-8 down to win 16-14 is testament to his mental toughness.

Reardon was poting long balls from tight on the cushion in the 70's. Watch his 1973 World final with Eddie Charlton. Reardon was awesome.

5 centuries on the final weekend, from 30-23 down Reardon won 31-30. His best break was a 91 on the start of the final day, I watch it now and some of the balls potted are incredible. Nobody talks about it now as all they are intereted in are failed boy band members with poofy haircuts.

Same with Davis, 3 centuries on the final evening against Griffiths in the 88 final and an 18 - 3 yes a 14 frame margin victory against Parrott in 89, which was preceded by a 16-9 semi final win over hendry after Davis was 9-7 down.

In the early 90's the balls were changed and the cloths made superfine. It made the tactical game harder to play because the balls split up earlier.

There is no way Hendry was "head and shoulders above Davis" No one has ever got to that level. Granted, Hendry is a better breakbuilder but Davis tactical play is better and so will his longevity prove to be better. Also Davis long potting in the early to mid 80's was awesome.

silkov wrote:

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Higgins was his own worst enemy. It's not for no reason he basically has no friends. Everyone who has ever had dealings with Higgins has testified to his unpredictable, erratic and violent behaviour. My dad had a mate who used to play pool with him, and he said that Alex was a compelte and utter liability, starting fights with people constantly and usually getting beaten up. He said that one minute Alex would be quietly drinking his pint, and the next minute he'd be up stubbing a fag out on someone's head with no good explanation as to why. The picture painted was of a completely reprehensible character who people initially gravitated towards because of his reputation, but who in the end ended up reviling the man.

Higgins was like a god to me as a kid, I idolised the man, and he was a real showman, the like of which Snooker has never seen before or since, but he was an absolute nutter, and he alienated himself from the game by behaving like a complete and utter twat.

He tried to chat up Dennis Taylor's daughter, and when Dennis expressed his (entirely justified) dissaproval, Higgins said something along the lines of "I'll have you fcuking shot you feiniann bastard." Or so the story goes.

Even his harshest critics, admitted that Alex Higgins revolutionised the game, and that in terms of pure talent, he was possibly the greatest player that ever lived, but he just could not live within the boundaries of any kind of norm, and thus, went the way of the dodo....

How the fekker is still alive is beyond me, it's quite incredible. Still drinking like a fish and smoking like a chimney by all accounts, even after almost being claimed by throat cancer.

I think its a bit harsh to say Alex has no friends, he's still friendly with Jimmy White I hear and they still play exhibitions together.... whether Higgins has been a good influence on Whites career is another thing though....

Alex wa a great talent and the best name the game has had. But he was a complete pain in the ass. Kids of nine would ask for his autograph and he would tell them to fornicate off. He used to turn up at exhibitions with Davis and sell signed posters of himself for a pound. If the kid had a poster of Davis he would refuse to sign it.

He responded to Cliff Thorburns wife offer of a drink after the 1980 final with "f uck off you canadian c unt"

He turned up at a disciplinary hearing in 1982 with his pet cat under his arm and told the comittee that he hated them, and that they should not speak to him, his wife or his cat again.

Higgins was a very intelligent man and supremely gifted . He was capable of acts of kindness, but ultimatley he was aloner who though it was him against the world.

Above al coke completely fucked his brain up.

Higgins could start a full scale riot in a phone box in the Gobie desert.

But I love him

KO Artist wrote:

silkov wrote:

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Higgins was his own worst enemy. It's not for no reason he basically has no friends. Everyone who has ever had dealings with Higgins has testified to his unpredictable, erratic and violent behaviour. My dad had a mate who used to play pool with him, and he said that Alex was a compelte and utter liability, starting fights with people constantly and usually getting beaten up. He said that one minute Alex would be quietly drinking his pint, and the next minute he'd be up stubbing a fag out on someone's head with no good explanation as to why. The picture painted was of a completely reprehensible character who people initially gravitated towards because of his reputation, but who in the end ended up reviling the man.

Higgins was like a god to me as a kid, I idolised the man, and he was a real showman, the like of which Snooker has never seen before or since, but he was an absolute nutter, and he alienated himself from the game by behaving like a complete and utter twat.

He tried to chat up Dennis Taylor's daughter, and when Dennis expressed his (entirely justified) dissaproval, Higgins said something along the lines of "I'll have you fcuking shot you feiniann bastard." Or so the story goes.

Even his harshest critics, admitted that Alex Higgins revolutionised the game, and that in terms of pure talent, he was possibly the greatest player that ever lived, but he just could not live within the boundaries of any kind of norm, and thus, went the way of the dodo....

How the fekker is still alive is beyond me, it's quite incredible. Still drinking like a fish and smoking like a chimney by all accounts, even after almost being claimed by throat cancer.

I think its a bit harsh to say Alex has no friends, he's still friendly with Jimmy White I hear and they still play exhibitions together.... whether Higgins has been a good influence on Whites career is another thing though....

Alex wa a great talent and the best name the game has had. But he was a complete pain in the ass. Kids of nine would ask for his autograph and he would tell them to eff off. He used to turn up at exhibitions with Davis and sell signed posters of himself for a pound. If the kid had a poster of Davis he would refuse to sign it.

He responded to Cliff Thorburns wife offer of a drink after the 1980 final with "f uck off you canadian c unt"

He turned up at a disciplinary hearing in 1982 with his pet cat under his arm and told the comittee that he hated them, and that they should not speak to him, his wife or his cat again.

Higgins was a very intelligent man and supremely gifted . He was capable of acts of kindness, but ultimatley he was aloner who though it was him against the world.

Above al coke completely fucked his brain up.

Higgins could start a full scale riot in a phone box in the Gobie desert.

But I love him

Hell, you've got to love a guy who turns up to a disciplinary hearing with his pet cat!. .. can't be all bad!... 8)

yep, the pet cat seals it, higgins was the greatest ever

Yep!... have to say that I think his reposite to an offer of a drink from Thorburns wife was hilarious as well... 8)

KO Artist wrote:

jamesmcdonnell wrote:

DavidPayne wrote:I still rate Davis as the finest player I've seen. It's the consistency that strikes me.

And at 49 he's still a top ten player.

Staggering fact last night - he's reached 17 UK Quarter Finals in 22 years.

Hendry is head and shoulders above Davis, and Davis is a collossus of the game. Look at their records, Hendry's career is just full of records. Most titles in a season, longest unbeaten run, longest spell as world number one, most centuries, most 147's in competition, most televised 147's. You name the record, Hendry has it.

He took Davis' basic game, astute tactics, breakbuilding, long potting, excellent safety, and added an element of fearlessness that wasn't fashionable in Davis' era. People forget now, but when Hendry first came along, he was potting long balls midtable, with the cue ball tucked tight on the baulk cushion, and he was also playing fast too. Hendry's all around game is just incredible, and it was alloyed to an absolutely steely determination, which is best illustrated by his remarkable comeback in the world championships against Jimmy White. Although White choked a bit to come back from 14-8 down to win 16-14 is testament to his mental toughness.

Reardon was poting long balls from tight on the cushion in the 70's. Watch his 1973 World final with Eddie Charlton. Reardon was awesome.

5 centuries on the final weekend, from 30-23 down Reardon won 31-30. His best break was a 91 on the start of the final day, I watch it now and some of the balls potted are incredible. Nobody talks about it now as all they are intereted in are failed boy band members with poofy haircuts.

Same with Davis, 3 centuries on the final evening against Griffiths in the 88 final and an 18 - 3 yes a 14 frame margin victory against Parrott in 89, which was preceded by a 16-9 semi final win over hendry after Davis was 9-7 down.

In the early 90's the balls were changed and the cloths made superfine. It made the tactical game harder to play because the balls split up earlier.

There is no way Hendry was "head and shoulders above Davis" No one has ever got to that level. Granted, Hendry is a better breakbuilder but Davis tactical play is better and so will his longevity prove to be better. Also Davis long potting in the early to mid 80's was awesome.

Longevity prove to be better???! Hendry is world #1 at the moment in case you didn't notice.

Another change you haven't mentioned, is that the pockets are actually tighter now than they were in Reardon's and even Davis' day, the corner pockets are cut further back into the cushions now, than they were then.

Ok, perhaps head and shoulders is the wrong choice of phrase, but I think it's impossible to deny

Sure, Reardon was a fine fine player, and perhaps he would have done as well in the modern game, but you have to take into account that there were far less professional players around in Reardon's time, less tournaments and less competition overall.

When Davis was in his pomp, I thought it was impossible that anyone could ever better his standard, he seemed utterly unassailable, except for the odd blip against Parrot, Higgins and Taylor, he just seemed to win everything. However, Hendry has gone on to match and exceed Davis' achievements in most quarters, and I'm not sure he's done yet, had he played to his ability the other night, he would have beaten Ebdon, but something went badly wrong, probably because it's a while since Hendry has won a ranking event he fell apart in there. I'm sure he will be back though, and on his best day, only Ronnie can really take him down.

Let's face it, Davis and Hendry are both incredible players, who utterly dominated their eras, Hendry's era may or may not be over yet, but he has already bucked the trend by regaining the #1 spot, something I don't think Davis ever did once he slid out of the top two.

That Higgins quote is hilarious.

Apparently, Higgins never recovered after the death of his mother, who he absolutely idolised, those who have known him since childhood said it was a trauma that he never got over. Seem to recall that he had a horrible abusive father and his mother was the one who brought him up. As much of a cuntok as Higgins is, he's had a pretty sad pathetic life all told.

TTT for Paula Radcliffe

Most amazing frame of snooker I ever saw was that absolutely mad Higgins clearance against...Jimmy White was it? Or Davis?

He's looking at an impossible mess on the table, balls all off their spots and not an easy shot in sight. He then takes a swig of vodka and proceeds to make one impossible shot after another...and cleans up.

It was an incredible clearance - anyone recall that one?

harrygreb wrote:james i have just read through your very exhuberant posts and you have claimed 3 different players are "..the best snooker player the world has ever seen."
1 ronnie
2 stephen hendry
3 alex higgins

this thread is only 2 pages long so far, i reckon if it goes a couple more cliff thorburn, patsy fagen and big bill werbenuik might sneak in too.

about the yawning hendry, i saw him do that just after his prime and it was clear the guy was bored with the game. if he'd kept on he would have won at least two more world titles IMO

1. Fred Davis
2. Perry Mans
3. Higgins' cat

1 - Bill Werbenick
2 - Kirk Stevens
3 - Rex Williams

MightyWarrior wrote:Most amazing frame of snooker I ever saw was that absolutely mad Higgins clearance against...Jimmy White was it? Or Davis?

He's looking at an impossible mess on the table, balls all off their spots and not an easy shot in sight. He then takes a swig of vodka and proceeds to make one impossible shot after another...and cleans up.

It was an incredible clearance - anyone recall that one?

Yes, Rob it was a 69 in the 31st frame against White in he 82 semi final at sheffield. Every shot a pint of blood and the worst posititional play in history, but the best clearance in terms of bottle ever.

Watch it on U tube

KO Artist wrote:

MightyWarrior wrote:Most amazing frame of snooker I ever saw was that absolutely mad Higgins clearance against...Jimmy White was it? Or Davis?

He's looking at an impossible mess on the table, balls all off their spots and not an easy shot in sight. He then takes a swig of vodka and proceeds to make one impossible shot after another...and cleans up.

It was an incredible clearance - anyone recall that one?

Yes, Rob it was a 69 in the 31st frame against White in he 82 semi final at sheffield. Every shot a pint of blood and the worst posititional play in history, but the best clearance in terms of bottle ever.

Watch it on U tube

Thanks John, I'll take a look at that, only ever saw it the once. The wonders of youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dViH2UERKBs

KO Artist wrote:

MightyWarrior wrote:Most amazing frame of snooker I ever saw was that absolutely mad Higgins clearance against...Jimmy White was it? Or Davis?

He's looking at an impossible mess on the table, balls all off their spots and not an easy shot in sight. He then takes a swig of vodka and proceeds to make one impossible shot after another...and cleans up.

It was an incredible clearance - anyone recall that one?

Yes, Rob it was a 69 in the 31st frame against White in he 82 semi final at sheffield. Every shot a pint of blood and the worst posititional play in history, but the best clearance in terms of bottle ever.

Watch it on U tube

Yes, that was incredible break building, terrible in one sense, amazing in another, most players would have played safe at one of several points during that break, but not alex, those pots he took on were just suicidal some of them.

Good break, I enjoyed watching that.

Higgins & White had some classic benders as well, enjoyed reading about them in White's autobiography a few years back.

never seen that higgins break before.

outrageous talent.

that blue was a genius shot.

It is just incredible how outrageously good a potter higgins was, especially given that he was half cut through much of his career. He always had a vodka and orange beside him as I remember it.

brilliant break, i remember a shot by alex where the ball bounced on top of the side of the table and rolled along the wood and ended up in the pocket.

harrygreb wrote:brilliant break, i remember a shot by alex where the ball bounced on top of the side of the table and rolled along the wood and ended up in the pocket.

i did one of those once.

took on a long pot and i really blasted it. it rolled along the cushion and went straight in the pocket.

My best ever break was eerily similar to that Higgins break. But only because my positional play has always been shite, not because it involved length of the table shots and a huge audience. I'll say this though: I was fornicating knackered after making that 53. More mentally draining than you may imagine is snooker. Christ, I'm happy when I clear a pool table in one visit. Knocking in a clearance on a snooker table is so far beyond me it's untrue.