The world of snooker has been left with a significant void following the demise of six-time champion, Ray Reardon, at 91 years of age. The widely admired Welsh legend, often referred to as “Dracula” for his unique widow’s peak hair style, passed away on a Friday evening after battling with cancer, confirmed by his wife Carol.
Before becoming a renowned figure in snooker, Reardon worked as a coal miner and a policeman. He played a crucial rule in elevating the game’s profile during the 1970s, when it started to gain broad attention as a televised sport, his impact on future generations of snooker prodigies is undeniably profound.
The three-time world champion Mark Williams, who also hails from Wales, praised Ray on the World Snooker Tour’s official site. Williams noted that Reardon wasn’t only one of the most extraordinary athletes from Wales but also an amazing snooker player. His performances inspired many players to start playing snooker.
Reardon’s contribution to snooker, along with Alex Higgins, Jimmy White and Steve Davis, has set a benchmark in the sport. Any player today owes them an enormous deal of gratitude for their immense contribution to popularise snooker. They continue to inspire players even now.
In a post, White shared his deep condolences stating how sorrowful he was to learn about the passing of his close ally, Ray Reardon. He praised Reardon for being a remarkably humble personality and for the significant impact he had on the sport. He wished his good friend peace in his final resting place.
Ray Reardon was born in the year 1932 in Tredegar. He took a keen interest in snooker and billiards as a young boy and astonishingly won the Welsh Amateur Championship consecutively from 1950 to 1955. Following his father’s footsteps, he worked in the Ty Trist Colliery mines, before he opted for a career in the police force. At the age of 35, after beating John Spencer and lifting the English Amateur title in 1964, he chose to turn his snooker passion into a professional career.
Reardon embarked on his inaugural global championship journey, which concluded during the quarter-finals in a 25-24 loss to Fred Davis in 1969. Despite this, he clinched his first championship a year later, replicating his victory several times in 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, and finally 1978; his last victory was at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, a year after the event was moved there.
Besting South Africa’s Perrie Mans, a 45-year-old Reardon claimed the world crown, becoming the oldest individual to do so. However, this record was later outdone by Ronnie O’Sullivan in 2022. 1982 saw another final for Reardon, where he was defeated by Higgins, having previously won 16 other professional competitions throughout his career. This pioneer of snooker was named the first number one of the sport when rankings were introduced in 1975.
Reardon hung up his professional snooker cue in 1991. However, even in his nineties, he continued to enjoy the game, even scoring a century break in November of the previous year. His sad demise precipitated a wave of public sentiment, with many remembering him for his charming demeanour and comedic wit.
2005 world champion, Shaun Murphy, eulogised Reardon on one social platform, saying: “To Ray, you were truly one of a kind. A formidable adversary on the snooker table, off of it you were nothing short of a gentleman. It was a privilege to spend time with you, irrespective of whether we were playing snooker or golf – those are moments I will always cherish. May you rest in peace.”
Neal Foulds, a former snooker player and now TV presenter, reflected: “Hearing about Ray Reardon’s passing is deeply saddening. A true titan of our sport, we owe you a lot, Ray. Rest in peace.” Famous TV personality Piers Morgan commented: “This is heartbreaking news, he was an exceptional player and true gentleman. Rest in peace.”