Ray Reardon
Born on 8th of October 1932
(full name and title: Ray Reardon, MBE)
Born: October 8, 1932
Ray Reardon is one of the most famous snooker players of all time and has been a dominant figure in the sport in the 1970s. His sharp toothed grin and Bela Lugosi hairstyle earned him the nickname 'Dracula' and his character was parodied in the film 'Billy the Kid and the Green Beize Vampire'. This belies the true nature of this rather genial man.
Reardon was born in a coal mining community at Tredegar in Wales. Like most other lads of his generation he went to work in the mines, though it is rumoured that he wore gloves to protect his hands for snooker. After being buried underground for three hours following an accident at the coal face, he gave up mining and became a police officer.
He won several Welsh Amateur titles and the English Amateur title in 1964, becoming professional in 1967. He entered the World Championship for the first time in 1969 and won the title at the second attempt in 1970. In total he won six World Championships in the 1970s, making him one of the most successful snooker players ever. His dominance came to an end with the rise of Steve Davis. The young Davis then reigned in the 80s in a similar way to that in which Ray had been top dog throughout the 70s. Despite this Reardon continued to be a major figure in the sport and a tough opponent for the top names in snooker for many years to come.
Ray Reardon was the first player to be ranked World No.1 when the rankings system was introduced in 1976, a position he held until the 1980/81 season. He recaptured the number one rank again in 1982, by which time he 50 years old. He retired from tsnooker in 1992 but still retains a keen interest and involvement in the sport.
Links:
http://www.worldsnooker.com/players_head_to_head-8629.htm Profile
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