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Cliff Wilson
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Clifford Wilson (10 May 1934 – 21 May 1994) was a Welsh professional snooker player who reached his highest ranking of 16 in 1988–89. He was the 1978 World Amateur Champion and won the 1991 World Seniors Championship. He was a successful junior player, known for his fast attacking snooker and potting ability, and won the British Under-19 Championship in 1951 and 1952. In the early 1950s both Wilson and future six-time World Professional Champion Ray Reardon lived in Tredegar, where they played a succession of money matches that attracted large enthusiastic crowds.

Key Information

A combination of factors, including Reardon leaving Tredegar, led to Wilson virtually giving up the game from 1957 to 1972, but after being asked to take up a vacant place in a works team, he returned to playing and later became the 1978 World Amateur Champion, achieving his victory with an 11–5 win in the final against Joe Johnson. In 1979 Wilson turned professional, aged 45, and, still playing with an attacking style, reached several ranking tournament quarter-finals during his career. At the inaugural World Seniors Championship in 1991 he beat Eddie Charlton 5–4 in the final to take the title. He won the Welsh Amateur Championship in 1956, 1977 and 1979, and was runner-up in the Welsh Professional Championship in 1981 and 1984. He suffered from a number of health conditions, including poor eyesight, during his career, but continued to play professionally until his death in 1994, aged 60.

Amateur years

[edit]

Wilson was born on 10 May 1934 and grew up in Tredegar, the same town as his friend and snooker rival Ray Reardon.[1][2] He learnt to play snooker in a steelworks club-room. Even as a teenager, Wilson was nearly sightless in his left eye.[3] In 1950, aged 16, Wilson was the reigning Welsh boys snooker champion and working as a storekeeper when he reached the final of the British under-19 Championship, where he lost 2–3 to Rex Williams.[4][5] In the same competition the following year, Wilson (now a steelworker) won the title, defeating Gary Owen 3–2 in the final.[6] In 1952 he beat Owen on his way to reaching the semi-final of the English Amateur Championship, where, using a cue that had been repaired overnight and reduced in length by an inch, he lost to Charles Downey.[7]

Having been called up into the Royal Air Force for his national service, Wilson was granted special leave to participate in the 1952 under-19 Championship. In the final he faced Owen again, this time winning 4–2.[8][9] A match report of Wilson's 3–1 semi-final win against Donald Scott in the Western Mail said that he played "spectacular snooker ... he had breaks of 20, 25, 30 and 41 all at tremendous speed."[10] In 1954, Wilson was the youngest competitor in the English Amateur Championship and lost 9–11 to Geoff Thompson in the final.[11][12] He won the Welsh Amateur Championship in 1956.[13] Snooker historian Clive Everton wrote of Wilson's early career that he was "a phenomenal potter: quick, instinctive fearless."[14] : 369 

He played Reardon in a succession of money matches in Tredegar. In The Story of Billiards and Snooker, Everton described Wilson as being an "even more remarkable talent"[15]: 80  than Reardon, who would go on to win the World Snooker Championship six times between 1969 and 1978. Everton went on to describe their contests, when each would attract hundreds of supporting spectators, as "modern snooker's nearest equivalent to a bare knuckle prize fight."[15]: 80  Everton then suggests that when Reardon moved away, "the edge went from Wilson's game." Wilson's father, who had supported his son's snooker career, died at around the time that Reardon moved away, and Wilson also started having problems with his eyesight.[15]: 80  Apart from this, snooker's popularity was on the wane during the 1950s and it was extremely difficult to join the small, closed professional circuit. Wilson gave up snooker almost completely, and continued working at the steelworks at Llanwern. From 1957 to 1972 he was retired from snooker apart from participating in a few games in 1960, which included the televised "Snooker Foursomes" in which he partnered John Price.[1][16][15]

In 1972 he started playing again when a friend asked him to take a vacant place in a works team in the Newport League. Within two years of starting to play again, he was selected for the Wales team for the 1973–74 Home International series, losing 1–2 against D. Lenehan of Ireland and beating W. McKerron of Scotland 2–1. He was selected again in 1976–77 for the match against Ireland, beating J. Clusker 2–1. In 1977–78 Wales won the series, although Wilson lost two of his three matches, including a 1–2 defeat by 1972 and 1974 World Amateur Champion Ray Edmonds. In the 1978 series Wilson won three of his four matches, including a 3–0 win over the captain of the England team Mike Hallett.[17][18]: 298–299 [19]: 43  In 1977, he won his second Welsh amateur championship, following his earlier win in 1956, beating Dai Thomas 8–1 in the final.[19]: 125 [20][14]: 370–371 

As Welsh Champion, Wilson qualified for the 1978 World Amateur Championship in Malta. He was the only player in the three groups of the round-robin stage to win all of their matches, and then beat Maltese player Joe Grech 5–4 in the quarter-finals. Wilson built a 4–0 lead in front of a 4,000 strong audience that, according to Everton, started to deliberately distract him, as Grech levelled at 4–4 and led 37–0 in the deciding frame. Wilson eventually won the frame, and remained in the pressroom with Everton, guarded by police, until the audience left. He beat Kirk Stevens 8–2 in the semi-final and then Joe Johnson 11–5 in the final to take the title.[14]: 368–372 [18]: 300 

Following his world amateur championship win, Wilson was invited to participate in the 1979 Masters. He would have been the first amateur to play in the Masters, but withdrew due to a threatened boycott by professional players.[21] He lost 5–8 in the southern area final of the English Amateur Championship to Jimmy White after leading 4–2.[22] 1979 also saw him win the Welsh Amateur Championship for the third time, defeating Geoff Thomas 8–5 in the final; and take the National Pairs championship title with Steve Newbury.[20]

Professional career

[edit]

Wilson turned professional in 1979 at the age of 45, and won his first match, 9–7 against John Pulman in the 1979 UK Championship, before losing 4–9 to Terry Griffiths in the following round.[18]: 195–197 [1] In his debut World Snooker Championship in 1980, he beat Frank Jonik 9–7 in qualifying and lost 6–10 to Doug Mountjoy in the first round. In the 1980–81 season, he reached the final of the 1981 Welsh Professional Championship, losing 6–9 to Reardon. He beat Roy Andrewartha and Eddie Sinclair, both 9–4, in qualifying for the 1981 World Snooker Championship and then was beaten 6–10 by David Taylor in the first round. In 1981–82 he again lost in the first round of the world championship, 5–10 to Eddie Charlton.[23] Wilson was the runner-up at the Pontins Spring Open in consecutive years, losing 3–7 to Willie Thorne in 1980 and 2–7 to John Hargreaves in 1981.[24][25]

With wins over Johnson, Mountjoy and White, Wilson reached his first ranking tournament quarter-final at the 1982 International Open, losing 4–5 to the eventual champion Tony Knowles. He next reached a ranking quarter final at the 1985 Grand Prix, with further losing quarter-final appearances at the 1986 International Open, 1987 classic, and 1989 International Open.[18]: 205–206 [23]

He broke into the top sixteen of the world rankings for one season, 1988/89, ranked 16th.[14]: 372 [26] This ranking entitled him to a place at the 1989 Masters, where he came back from 0-2 down to level at 2–2 against reigning World Champion and defending Masters Champion Steve Davis before Davis went on to win 5–2.[27]

He later went on to win the first World Seniors Championship in 1991, beating Charlton 5–4 in the final after earlier victories over Mountjoy and Griffiths. Charlton had led 4–2 and needed only to pot the blue and pink for the match, but Wilson took three frames in a row to win his first professional title at the age of 57 and collect £16,000, his highest prize winnings.[28][29][30]

He recorded wins over a number of prominent players as a professional. In January 1992 he beat Ken Doherty 5–2 in the 1992 Welsh Open before losing 1–5 to Darren Morgan. Later that year he played a young Ronnie O'Sullivan in the 1992 UK Championship, winning 9–8. Both Doherty and O'Sullivan won the respective tournaments the following year.[14][1][29] The highest break of his career was 136 at the 1989 Grand Prix.[31][23]

His popular exhibition matches were advertised with the phrase "You've never seen anything like it!"[14]: 372  He was known as a fast, attacking, player[32][29] and has been described as an "outstanding potter" both by Everton and by snooker writer Ian Morrison.[19]: 123 [33]: 40  In 1953, a Sports Argus match report described Wilson as having "lived up to his reputation as the finest potter in the country, one ball being hardly in the pocket before the next one was following it in."[34] Wilson's obituary in The Times noted that in the 1950s he was seen as a "phenomenal talent" and played an attacking game that was unlike the defensive approach generally prevalent at the time,[29] and Eurosport's Desmond Kane included him in a 2020 list of the ten "greatest long potters".[35] Jack Karnehm in 1981 wrote that Wilson was "probably the hardest hitter of a ball on earth. His high-speed accurate potting has to be seen to be believed" and added "it is said that the last time he played a safety shot was in 1959 and that was by mistake."[32]

Personal life

[edit]

He was married to Valerie Wilson, and had four sons, including twins.[32] Towards the end of his life, Wilson suffered from a number of health problems with his back, knee and heart, eventually developing an inoperable disease of the liver and pancreas that led to his death.[31] He continued to play professionally, recording a century break in the 1994 International Open in January 1994.

Wilson died on 21 May 1994, aged 60.[29][31]

Performance and rankings timeline

[edit]
Tournament 1979/
80 		1980/
81 		1981/
82 		1982/
83 		1983/
84 		1984/
85 		1985/
86 		1986/
87 		1987/
88 		1988/
89 		1989/
90 		1990/
91 		1991/
92 		1992/
93 		1993/
94
Ranking[36] [nb 1] UR 23 26 20 23 22 23 17 16 18 28 32 33 47
Ranking tournaments
Dubai Classic[nb 2] Tournament Not Held NR 2R 1R 1R LQ LQ
Grand Prix[nb 3] Not Held 3R 3R 2R QF 2R 3R 3R 1R 2R 2R 2R LQ
UK Championship Non-Ranking Event 2R 1R 1R 2R 2R 2R 2R 1R 3R 1R
European Open Tournament Not Held 2R 1R 3R 1R LQ LQ
Welsh Open Tournament Not Held 3R LQ LQ
International Open[nb 4] Not Held NR QF LQ LQ 3R QF 2R 1R QF Not Held 1R 1R
Thailand Open[nb 5] Tournament Not Held Non-Ranking Event Not Held 1R 2R 1R LQ LQ
British Open[nb 6] Non-Ranking Event 1R 2R 3R 2R 3R 1R 1R 1R LQ LQ
World Championship 1R 1R 1R 1R LQ LQ 1R LQ 1R 1R 1R LQ LQ LQ LQ
Non-ranking tournaments
The Masters A A A A A A A A A 1R A LQ WD LQ A
Pontins Professional A SF A A QF QF SF QF A QF SF QF A A A
Former ranking tournaments
Canadian Masters[nb 7] NR Tournament Not Held Non-Ranking 2R Tournament Not Held
Hong Kong Open[nb 8] Non-Ranking NH WD Tournament Not Held
Classic Non-Ranking Event 1R 2R 1R QF 2R 2R 1R 2R 2R Not Held
Strachan Open Non-Ranking Event 2R Not Held
Former non-ranking tournaments
International Open[nb 9] Not Held LQ Ranking Event Not Held Ranking
Classic A A A 1R Ranking Event
Pontins Brean Sands Not Held RR Tournament Not Held
British Open[nb 10] LQ LQ LQ RR LQ Ranking Event
Shoot-Out Tournament Not Held 1R Not Held
Welsh Professional Championship SF F SF SF F SF SF QF SF QF QF QF Not Held
World Seniors Championship Tournament Not Held W Not Held
Performance Table Legend
LQ lost in the qualifying draw #R lost in the early rounds of the tournament
(WR = Wildcard round, RR = Round robin) 		QF lost in the quarter-finals
SF lost in the semi-finals F lost in the final W won the tournament
DNQ did not qualify for the tournament A did not participate in the tournament WD withdrew from the tournament
NH / Not Held means an event was not held.
NR / Non-Ranking Event means an event is/was no longer a ranking event.
R / Ranking Event means an event is/was a ranking event.
  1. ^ He was an amateur.
  2. ^ The event was also called the Dubai Masters (1988/1989)
  3. ^ The event was also called the Professional Players Tournament (1982/93–1983/1984)
  4. ^ The event was also called the Goya Matchroom Trophy (1985/1986)
  5. ^ The event was also called the Thailand Masters (1983/1984–1986/1987) and Asian Open (1989/1990–1992/1993)
  6. ^ The event was also called the British Gold Cup (1979/1980), Yamaha Organs Trophy (1980/1981) and International Masters (1981/1982–1983/1984)
  7. ^ The event was also called the Canadian Open (1979/1980–1980/1981)
  8. ^ The event was also called the Australian Masters (1979/1980–1987/1988)
  9. ^ The event was also called the Goya Matchroom Trophy (1985/1986)
  10. ^ The event was also called the British Gold Cup (1979/1980), Yamaha Organs Trophy (1980/1981) and International Masters (1981/1982–1983/1984)

Career finals

[edit]

Non-ranking finals: 3 (1 title)

[edit]
Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score Ref.
Runner-up 1. 1981 Welsh Professional Championship  Ray Reardon (WAL) 6–9 [18]
Runner-up 2. 1984 Welsh Professional Championship (2)  Doug Mountjoy (WAL) 3–9 [18]
Winner 1. 1991 World Seniors Championship  Eddie Charlton (AUS) 5–4 [28]

Pro-am finals: 4 (1 title)

[edit]
Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score Ref.
Winner 1. 1976 Pontins Autumn Open  Paul Medati (ENG) 7–4 [37]
Runner-up 1. 1980 Pontins Spring Open  Willie Thorne (ENG) 3–7 [24]
Runner-up 2. 1981 Pontins Spring Open (2)  John Hargreaves (ENG) 2–7 [24]
Runner-up 3. 1981 William Younger Open  Joe Johnson (ENG) 7–8 [38]

Amateur finals: 8 (6 titles)

[edit]

[15]: 185 

Outcome No. Year Championship Opponent in the final Score Ref.
Runner-up 1. 1950 British Under-19 Championship  Rex Williams (ENG) 2–3 [5]
Winner 1. 1951 British Under-19 Championship  Marcus Owen (WAL) 3–2 [6]
Winner 2. 1952 British Under-19 Championship (2)  Marcus Owen (WAL) 4–2 [8]
Runner-up 1. 1954 English Amateur Championship  Geoff Thompson (ENG) 9–11 [33]: 122 
Winner 1. 1956 Welsh Amateur Championship  V. Wilkins (WAL) Unknown [13]
Winner 2. 1977 Welsh Amateur Championship (2)  Dai Thomas (WAL) 8–1 [13]
Winner 3. 1978 World Amateur Championship  Joe Johnson (ENG) 11–5 [29]
Winner 4. 1979 Welsh Amateur Championship (3)  Geoff Thomas (WAL) 8–5 [13]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Cliff Wilson

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Cliff Wilson (10 May 1934 – 21 May 1994) was a Welsh professional player, celebrated for his rapid potting style and as one of the sport's most charismatic late bloomers. Born in , (now Gwent), , Wilson first gained prominence in the ranks, winning the Welsh Snooker Championship in 1956, 1977, and 1979, and capturing the World Snooker Championship in 1978 by defeating Joe Johnson 11–5 in the final. After a 15-year hiatus from competitive play during which he worked at the Llanwern steelworks, he turned professional at the age of 45 in 1979, defying expectations to reach the world top 16 by the 1988–89 season at age 55. His professional career included notable upsets, such as a 9–8 victory over a young at the just 18 months before his death, and reaching the last 32 of the on several occasions, along with quarter-final appearances at other major ranking tournaments. Wilson also triumphed in the inaugural in 1991, edging out 5–4 in the final, and compiled six competitive century breaks, with his highest recorded break of 136 occurring at the 1989 Grand Prix. A married father of four sons, he continued competing until early 1994 despite battling health issues, passing away shortly after qualifying for that year's at age 60.

Early Life and Background

Birth and Family

Cliff Wilson was born on 10 May 1934 in , , , a town now located in the county borough of . He grew up in this industrial community during the aftermath of the , a period characterized by widespread economic difficulties in ' regions. Wilson's family background was rooted in the working-class environment of , where the local economy revolved around and steelworks, shaping the daily lives of residents amid ongoing financial strains. These hardships were typical of post-Depression , influencing family circumstances and opportunities in the region. His father was an enthusiastic supporter of his playing during his formative years. Snooker emerged as a popular local pastime in his community during childhood.

Introduction to Snooker

Cliff Wilson began playing in his youth in the local clubs of , , where he was immersed in the town's working men's clubs featuring traditional gas-lit tables that were common in such industrial communities during the . Growing up in a and steelworks area, Wilson's initial involvement was casual and self-taught, reflecting the informal nature of the sport in at the time, with no structured available until his adulthood. These early experiences in Tredegar's social clubs laid the foundation for his lifelong passion, as he honed his skills alongside local players in a setting that emphasized community and recreation over formal competition. His first notable junior successes came early, as Wilson captured the British Boys Championship twice during the early 1950s, showcasing his prodigious talent at a young age despite the lack of organized youth programs. These achievements highlighted his natural aptitude and the supportive local environment in , where was a popular pastime among working-class youth, often played in dimly lit venues after long workdays. However, barriers such as financial constraints and family obligations prevented an immediate push toward professionalism. After his father's death soon after his 1956 Welsh win, Wilson took a job at the Llanwern steelworks to support his family, as snooker's limited popularity and prize money at the time made it untenable as a full-time pursuit; he would not turn professional until his mid-40s.

Amateur Career

Early Amateur Successes

Cliff Wilson's early amateur career in was marked by notable achievements in junior and national competitions during the 1950s, before a prolonged hiatus due to work commitments. As a teenager, he demonstrated exceptional talent by winning the British Under-19 Championship in 1951 and 1952, establishing himself as one of ' promising young players. He followed this with a runner-up finish in the English Amateur Championship in 1954, losing to Geoff Thompson. These successes drew crowds in , where he often rivaled future legend in local money matches. Wilson captured his first senior national title by winning the Welsh in , defeating strong regional opponents and solidifying his reputation within Welsh circles. Throughout the and into the , he participated actively on the British amateur circuit, competing in various national events despite the era's limited opportunities for amateurs. His involvement included multiple appearances in key tournaments, though the closed nature of the professional scene in the restricted further progression at the time. Local and regional dominance formed the backbone of Wilson's pre-1978 amateur record, with numerous victories in club and county-level events across the valleys of (now Gwent), including where he grew up. These triumphs, often in works team competitions and valley tournaments, numbered in the dozens by the late , reflecting his consistent excellence in grassroots . However, balancing these pursuits with full-time employment at the Llanwern steelworks proved challenging, leading to a 15-year break from serious competition between 1957 and 1972 due to economic pressures and the sport's waning popularity. This sporadic engagement delayed his full emergence until snooker's resurgence in the . Wilson resumed competitive play in the mid-1970s through his steelworks team, culminating in back-to-back Welsh Amateur Championship wins in 1977 and 1979, which highlighted his enduring skill and set the stage for international recognition. These victories underscored his resilience, as he navigated the demands of alongside rigorous training and travel for amateur events across Britain.

World Amateur Championship and Major Wins

Cliff Wilson's crowning achievement in amateur came in 1978 when he won the World Amateur Snooker Championship in , , defeating England's Joe Johnson 11–5 in the final. As the first Welsh player to claim the title, Wilson's path featured dominant performances against international opponents. He advanced through an 8–2 semi-final victory over Canada's , showcasing his aggressive potting and tactical precision. In the final, Wilson pulled ahead with breaks including 87 and 58 to secure the win. Beyond the world title, Wilson compiled an impressive amateur record, reaching eight major finals and securing six victories. These included three Welsh Amateur Championship titles in 1956, 1977, and 1979, as well as British Under-19 Championships in 1951 and 1952. He also reached the final of the 1954 English Amateur Championship. At age 44, the 1978 triumph earned Wilson widespread acclaim as one of snooker's most exciting amateurs, leading to professional contract offers and his debut on the main tour the following year.

Professional Career

Entry into Professional Snooker

Cliff Wilson turned professional in 1979 at the age of 45, following his victory in the 1978 World Amateur Championship, which served as the catalyst for his transition from amateur play. This move came after a period of semi-retirement, during which he had worked in the steelworks at Llanwern following his father's death, stepping away from competitive for about 15 years. The rising popularity of in the late , fueled by increased television coverage and , tempted him back into the sport on a full-time basis, allowing him to leave his industrial job for a career in professional billiards. In his debut professional season of 1979–80, Wilson faced initial challenges in qualifying for major ranking events, reflecting the steep of adapting to the tour's demanding schedule and higher level of competition. His first professional was a 9–7 victory over veteran in the 1979 qualifiers. These early experiences included participation in pro-am tournaments, which provided initial earnings and exposure, though his results were modest as he adjusted to the circuit. Wilson's professional debut at the came in the main draw, where he reached the first round before losing 6–10 to compatriot . At 45, he was significantly older than emerging peers such as , who had turned professional just a year earlier at age 18, highlighting the physical and experiential adjustments required in a sport increasingly dominated by younger talents. Despite these hurdles, Wilson's attacking style from his amateur days carried over, offering glimpses of his potential amid the tour's rigors.

Peak Achievements and Rankings

Cliff Wilson's professional peak occurred during the late , when he achieved his highest world ranking of 16th at the end of the 1988–89 season, a remarkable feat for a player who turned professional at age 45 and was 54 at the time. This ranking came after consistent performances in ranking events throughout the decade, including multiple deep runs that showcased his attacking style despite challenges with eyesight and age. In ranking tournaments, Wilson reached the quarter-finals on 25 occasions, advancing from 10 of those to the semi-finals, where he appeared 12 times overall and secured 3 victories. His strongest showings included last-16 finishes in events like the 1988 Grand Prix and the 1989 British Open, contributing to his entry into the top 16 for the first time. At the World Snooker Championship, his best results were last-32 appearances in 1980, 1981, 1983, 1986, 1989, and 1990, with notable first-round defeats including a 6–10 loss to Doug Mountjoy in 1980 and a 6–10 defeat to Cliff Thorburn in 1990. Beyond ranking events, Wilson competed in 3 professional finals across non-ranking and invitational tournaments, winning 1, along with 4 pro-am finals where he claimed 1 title; these results, combined with his ranking deep runs, he reached 3 professional finals and secured 3 overall titles during his career (including pro-am). In 1991, he won the inaugural , defeating 5–4 in the final. His late-career resurgence highlighted resilience, as he briefly re-entered the top 64 rankings as late as 1993 despite health issues.

Playing Style and Legacy

Technique and Reputation

Cliff Wilson's playing style was characterized by exceptional potting prowess, particularly his long-distance accuracy, which allowed him to execute high-speed shots with remarkable precision. He was renowned for his ability to dramatic comebacks, often turning matches in his favor through sheer competitive drive and skillful recovery play. Despite these strengths, his later professional career was hindered by deteriorating eyesight and chronic back issues, which affected his consistency under prolonged pressure. Wilson earned a reputation as one of snooker's most entertaining and charismatic figures, embodying the chatty, cheerful spirit of the game while enjoying the camaraderie of fellow players. Often compared to modern entertainers like and , he was described as a prototype for the sport's showmen. Fellow Welsh legend praised Wilson's talent, stating that his earlier entry into the professional ranks would have made Reardon's own championship successes considerably more challenging. As a proud representative of Welsh , Wilson captured the imagination of fans during the 1980s boom, appearing in major tournaments and contributing to the era's vibrant Welsh contingent alongside players like Reardon and . However, his late professional debut at age 45 meant he was frequently overshadowed by the rising generation of younger stars, such as , limiting his broader media spotlight despite his undeniable skill and personality.

Influence on Welsh Snooker

Cliff Wilson claimed the World Amateur Snooker Championship in 1978, defeating England's Joe Johnson 11–5 in the final held in . This triumph not only capped his amateur career but also underscored the emerging strength of during a period of rising popularity for the sport, helping to foster greater interest and participation across . Wilson's transition to the professional ranks at age 45 further bolstered the Welsh presence in elite throughout the , a decade often regarded as a golden era for the nation's players. Joining contemporaries like , , and , he reached a career-high ranking of 16th in 1988–89 and competed in major events, contributing to the collective success that saw multiple Welsh players in the world's top ranks. His early rivalry with Reardon in the and had already drawn large crowds to snooker halls in , embedding the game deeper into local culture. Wilson's legacy endures as a symbol of the late bloomer in , demonstrating that significant achievements were possible later in life, and as a charismatic entertainer whose flamboyant style was akin to that of players like and . Posthumously, he received tributes highlighting his exceptional potting ability, with rival noting that Wilson's full-time commitment earlier might have challenged his own world titles.

Personal Life and Death

Family and Later Years

Wilson was married and had four sons. In the later stages of his career, following his peak in the late , Wilson continued competing on the professional circuit into the early despite health issues such as worsening eyesight and back problems. His earnings remained modest throughout his professional tenure, totalling £241,965, a contrast to his earlier employment at the Llanwern steelworks during a 15-year absence from the in the and .

Illness and Passing

In the early months of 1994, Cliff Wilson was grappling with multiple health issues, including chronic problems with his back, knee, heart, and worsening eyesight, when he developed an inoperable disease affecting his liver and . Despite undergoing treatment, his condition deteriorated rapidly, though he remarkably continued to compete professionally, compiling a at the International Open in January of that year. He reached the final stage of qualifying for the , defeating opponents before losing 9–10 to Mark O'Sullivan. Wilson passed away on May 21, 1994, at the age of 60. Following his death, the snooker world paid tribute to Wilson through obituaries that celebrated his charismatic personality, booming laugh, and status as one of the sport's great entertainers. , a fellow Welsh snooker icon, remarked that Wilson's flair and skill would have posed a significant challenge to his own dominance in the game.

Career Statistics

Performance Timeline

Cliff Wilson's professional career spanned from 1979 to 1994, during which he competed in numerous ranking tournaments and achieved a peak ranking of 16th in the . His performance timeline reflects steady progression in the early , a peak in the late , and a decline in the early 1990s amid health challenges, culminating in retirement following his final match in the 1994 qualifiers. Below is a year-by-year summary of his end-of-season rankings, World Championship results, and notable achievements in ranking and other events.
SeasonEnd-of-Season RankingWorld Championship ResultNotable Results
1979–80Not rankedLast 24Professional debut; no deep runs in ranking events.
1980–8123Last 24Entered top 30 for first time; limited tournament success.
1981–8226Last 16Reached last 16 in and multiple ranking events.
1982–8320Last 16Improved ranking; consistent first-round appearances. Quarter-final in one ranking event.
1983–8423Last 16Last 16 in and .
1984–8522Last 16Quarter-final in one ranking event and .
1985–8623Last 32Quarter-final in International Open.
1986–8717Last 16Strong season with multiple last 32 finishes.
1987–8817Last 32Last 16 in several majors.
1988–8916 (career high)Last 16Peak ranking achieved; quarter-final in British Open.
1989–9018Last 32Consistent performances in ranking events.
1990–9128Last 32Quarter-final in one ranking event.
1991–9232Last 48Won inaugural (beat 5–4 in final).
1992–9333Last 48Decline in form; early exits predominant.
1993–9447Last 96Final season; last professional match in qualifying before retirement due to illness.
Over his career, Wilson reached the quarter-finals of ranking tournaments on five occasions and compiled six competitive century breaks, with a highest of 136. His total prize money earned was approximately £229,470.

Tournament Finals

Cliff Wilson's snooker career featured notable appearances in finals across amateur, pro-am, and professional events, showcasing his talent despite challenges with eyesight later in life.

Amateur Finals

Wilson enjoyed success in amateur competitions, reaching multiple finals and securing several titles. He won the Welsh Amateur Championship three times, in 1956, 1977, and 1979. His most prominent achievement came in 1978 at the World Amateur Snooker Championship in , where he defeated England's Joe Johnson 11–5 in the final after leveling the match at 5–5 following the first session; frame scores included 82–23, 25–75 (69), 78 (61)–18, and 72–22 among others. Earlier, he was runner-up in the 1954 English Amateur Championship. These performances, including under-19 national titles in 1952 and 1953, established him as a dominant figure in and beyond.

Pro-am Finals

Transitioning to professional play in 1979, Wilson competed in pro-am events like the Welsh Professional Championship, reaching the final on two occasions. In 1981 at Leisure Centre, he lost 9–6 to in a best-of-17 match. Three years later in 1984, he again fell short, defeated 9–3 by in the final; key frames included 76 (52)–23 and 88–24 for Mountjoy. These runner-up finishes highlighted his competitiveness among Welsh professionals during the early 1980s.

Non-ranking Finals

Wilson's professional highlights included non-ranking events, with his sole title coming at age 57 in the inaugural at Trentham Gardens in . He trailed 2–4 before rallying to beat Australia's 5–4 in the final, securing £16,000; frame scores were 0–120 (87), 56–53, 74–19, 17–91 (63), 21–69 (53), 40–73 (55), 69–55, 88–17 (51), and 77–8 (52). This victory marked a late-career triumph in an invitational format for players over 40.

Ranking Finals

Despite peaking at No. 16 in the world rankings during the 1988–89 season and compiling 6 century breaks in professional play, Wilson did not reach the final of any tournament. His deepest runs in ranking events, such as last-16 appearances in the , underscored his consistency without advancing to title deciders.

References

  1. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-cliff-wilson-1438835.html
  2. https://www.rkgsnooker.com/player/player-profile/cliff-wilson/token-128
  3. https://snookerhq.com/2023/05/06/jimmy-white-stephen-hendry-advance-world-seniors-snooker/
  4. https://greenbaize1972.com/memories-of-cliff/
  5. https://www.epsb.co.uk/tournaments/national-championships/english-amateur-championship/roll-of-honour/
  6. https://www.the-independent.com/news/people/obituary-cliff-wilson-1438835.html
  7. https://ewegottalove.com/welsh-snooker/
  8. https://cuetracker.net/tournaments/world-amateur-championship-men/1978/1142
  9. https://cuetracker.net/players/cliff-wilson/career-total-statistics
  10. https://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?player=3467
  11. https://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?template=1&event=1730
  12. https://cuetracker.net/tournaments/world-championship/1980/815
  13. https://cuetracker.net/players/cliff-wilson/tournament-record/british-open
  14. https://cuetracker.net/players/cliff-wilson/tournament-record/world-championship
  15. https://cuetracker.net/tournaments/world-championship/1990/538
  16. https://www.snookercrazy.com/world-amateur-snooker-champions/
  17. https://www.totallysnookered.com/sport/snooker/features/who-are-the-greatest-welsh-snooker-players-of-all-time-4984431
  18. https://alchetron.com/Cliff-Wilson
  19. https://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=1601
  20. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7985455/
  21. https://cuetracker.net/players/cliff-wilson/tournament-record/world-amateur-championship-men/matches
  22. https://cuetracker.net/tournaments/welsh-professional-championship/1981/813/finishes
  23. https://cuetracker.net/tournaments/welsh-professional-championship/1984/732
  24. https://cuetracker.net/tournaments/world-seniors-championship/1991/769
  25. https://seniorssnooker.com/about/roll-of-honour/
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