3.11.10

JOHNSON'S SENIOR SERVICE

The World Seniors Championship has been revived after 19 years thanks largely to the efforts of Joe Johnson.

This unassuming Yorkshireman’s life changed forever on May Day bank holiday in 1986 when he completed a fairytale run in the World Championship by beating Steve Davis 18-12 to win the title.

He had turned professional after reaching the 1978 world amateur final and being inspired by Terry Griffiths, who won the 1979 world professional title at his first attempt.

It ushered in a new era, a new feeling that the younger players could sweep aside the old guard.

Davis was at the forefront of this and though Johnson ticked along nicely on the pro circuit, he had done nothing to suggest he could seriously challenge at the Crucible.

Indeed, trailing Griffiths 12-9 in the quarter-finals it looked like his championship was over but Johnson put together one of the best four frame spells seen in Sheffield, including two centuries, to win 13-12.

He swept past Tony Knowles and was through to a two-day final against Davis, the undisputed top dog of the 1980s.

The way Johnson saw it, he could just go out and enjoy himself. He was guaranteed £40,000 – more money than he had ever seen – and was on home turf. All the pressure was on Davis, whose aura of invincibility had cracked the previous year against Dennis Taylor.

Johnson’s relaxed demeanour carried him into a 13-11 lead going into the final session and he never wavered in crossing the winning line.

An audience of around 16m watched him do it. There was no better time to be world champion.

Winning the title transformed his life in many welcome ways: his earnings rocketed, he was invited to all manner of TV shows, parties and personal appearances and, most important to him, he had his name inscribed on the most important trophy in snooker.

But there were downsides too: newspapers rifling through his business, increased expectation and the sudden reality of living life in the spotlight.

Johnson did little of note in his season as champion until the 1987 World Championship, when he came close to completing a remarkable double triumph.

He lost 18-14 to Davis but this is still the closest any first time champion has come to defending the title.

Johnson won the 1987 Scottish Masters but he had won the world title at 33, an advanced age for a professional, and he began to slide down the rankings after suffering from ill health, eventually retiring from the circuit in 2004.

He won Seniors Pot Black in 1997 and enjoyed the experience so much that he was determined to stage a World Seniors Championship, the first since 1991.

The dream becomes a reality in Bradford this weekend when he is joined by his fellow former world champions Davis, Taylor, Cliff Thorburn, John Parrott, Ken Doherty and Peter Ebdon, as well as Jimmy White and qualifier Nigel Bond.

The tournament, sponsored by Wyldecrest Park Homes, runs from Friday evening to Sunday at Cedar Court Hotel.

I know Joe well and I know how much he loves snooker. He coaches regularly in Bradford and loves watching the game, loves still being part of it.

He knew a life before snooker, when he worked for the gas board – long hours for little pay.

It meant he had a sense of perspective about the sport and his gratitude for the life it has given him remains to this day.

Snooker’s elder statesmen deserve respect for the parts they’ve played in shaping the game’s fortunes.

I’m sure the weekend will be a lot of fun but these guys haven’t lost all of their competitive steel and, with £20,000 to the winner, may well provide a few glimpses of former glories.

25 comments:

jamie brannon said...

I thought Doherty made the final as a first-time champion, I guess he didn't win as many frames in defeat, so you are right really.

I don't get why a few more were not invited and have a sixteen man knockout, should be a good laugh and like you say, the old competitive juices will come to the fore!

Betty Logan said...

I'm looking forward to it but wished it was limited to players no longer on the tour - it will inevitably be won by Ebdon or Doherty! We want to see the likes of Thorburn and Johnson go up against each other, not get trounced by pros near the top of the world rankings.

Anonymous said...

yes its Ridiculous inviting Ebdon who is the 11th Rank player in the world.

Kirk Stevens
Tony Knowles
Darren Morgan
Steve James
Alain Robidoux
Mike Hallett
Tony Meo

use some imagination next time.

Sparky said...

Agreed, Betty, but we all know that Jimmy White must be in it, so it should be limited to over-45, rather than over-40.

Personally I'd like to see the likes of Terry Griffiths, Willie Thorne, Kirk Stevens or Tony Meo in this one.

Great to see Mike Hallett, Tony Knowles and Darren Morgan taking part in the qualifiers.

Colin M said...

I'm looking forward to it, Dave. I hope we get a Joe vs. Steve match-up.

Anonymous said...

They had a qualifying event earlier in the year with a few others in it, Peter Lines (!) Joe Swail and Tony Drago. Bond won through to this event.

Snookerbacker

Dave H said...

All living world champions over 40 were invited. Ray Reardon and Stephen Hendry elected not to play.

The matches are short because Sky's programme are an hour long and they don't want them to be disjointed.

The event has the potential to grow, indeed a seniors circuit does, but you have to start somewhere.

Anonymous said...

Kirk Stevens
Tony Knowles
Darren Morgan
Steve James
Alain Robidoux
Mike Hallett
Tony Meo

An interesting line-up but add to that Dean Reynolds, Dennis Taylor, Neil Foulds, Dean O'Kane and Martin Clark.
That would take me back a few years to the golden age.

Anonymous said...

http://www.snookerbacker.com/2010/05/11/the-old-codgers-take-to-the-baize-the-world-seniors-championship-2010/

This was the bit on my blog about the original event is anyone is interested. Knowles was in it but Morgan ended up pulling out.

Bryn said...

This should have been done years ago and maintained, thanks Joe for all your efforts here.
However, why not do a handicap system? After all why should Peter Ebdon, enjoying a good season play level with someone retired for years.
Those inside top 16 give 21, those still ranked give 14.
Why not throw the doors open to any former professional who was in the top 16 now over 40? Not such a new innovation!
Be nice to see Graham Miles, Perrie Mans, Doug Mountjoy, etc back in the pot (in addition to those mentioned).
Good luck with it all!

Dave H said...

The handicap is an interesting idea. You could start each frame with points matching your age - though this may give Steve Davis something of an advantage.

Anonymous said...

Gary wilkinson and David Roe were both top 16 and must both be over 40 by now.

Anonymous said...

Who invited Ebdon? I want to see the great characters from yesteryear, not the boring automatons who 'grace' the tables today.

Anonymous said...

After reading about his behaviour, while working for the WPBSA a few years ago, Joe does not seem like the good bloke we all thought he was. Or is this conveniently airbrushed out of snooker history?

Bobby said...

Great to have Nigel Bond in the tournament.

One of the few 'real' characters still in the sport.

Can anyone remember that classic Bond Vs Higgins match in the early 80's. Some of the best safety play I've ever witnessed. IIRC, the highest break was less than 50 in the match, but that didn't deflect from the quality of the match.

Might have been the Lada Classic.

Dave H said...

Nigel turned pro in 1989 so you may be thinking of someone else

Anonymous said...

Is this different to the tournament Hendry won this time last year? If so what was that tournament in Scotland?

Dave H said...

That was a 'Legends' event run by 110sport

Anonymous said...

and dave shouted comments from a little box at that event

Anonymous said...

Is it still being run? Was that the same as the one in Sheffield where Higgins appeared? I just think this might have slightly more substance to it, although I really cannot see where Ebdon fits in to things.

Dave H said...

Alex played on the Snooker Legends tour, which was a series of exhibitions. It's returning next year and will feature, among others, Kirk Stevens.

Sparky said...

If all living world champions over 40 were invited, and Ray Reardon and Stephen Hendry elected not to play, then how come Terry Griffiths isn't taking part?

I'd sure like to see him in this event, it hasn't been too long since he played on a top-class level!

Anonymous said...

In the broader picture it's great that the WS Tour is expanding and
could be further complimented by such things as Power Snooker and Seniors events having their own circuits in future not to mention the 6 Reds aswell.
Afew people are awkward with all these alterations to the basic snooker game but the sport as a whole must be flexible to continue to grow.
The main tour players alternating between certain formats and tours is welcome and progressive.

jamie brannon said...

Bruce Millington in the Racing Post today, praises the power snooker innovation, he also calls for a shot clock in the regular game.

Ebdon is not even forty, so his inclusion is a touch baffling. Can't see why Hendry wouldn't play, he would have a chance of winning here.

Dave H said...

Peter Ebdon is 40.

Terry Griffiths doesn't play any more.