Rex Williams
Encyclopedia
Rex Williams son of Minnie Roberts and William Williams, is a retired English
professional snooker
and billiards
player.
Williams was an excellent junior player in both snooker and billiards. His professional career began in 1951, during a period of decline in snooker. In the 1960s, when the World Snooker Championship
was run as challenge matches, he faced John Pulman
in the 1964 and 1965 finals but was unsuccessful both times. In December 1966, during an exhibition match in Cape Town
, he followed Joe Davis
as the second man to make an accredited maximum 147 snooker break.
He won the World Professional Billiards Championship
seven times from 1968 to 1983, including a reign as champion from 1968 to 1980. He was less successful at snooker, although he did become the oldest player to reach a world-ranking final when, aged 53, he lost to Jimmy White in the final of the 1986 Rothmans Grand Prix. He twice reached the semi-final of the World Championship, losing in 1972 to Alex Higgins
(having been four frames ahead with five left to play) and, in 1974, to Graham Miles
. He gained the unfortunate distinction of never winning a World Championship match at the Crucible Theatre
, Sheffield
after it became the Championship's permanent venue in 1977, despite playing at the venue on eight occasions (a record he shares with Cliff Wilson
). He's also remembered for recovering from 8-1 down to win 9-8 against Terry Griffiths
in the first round of the 1978 UK Championship, in Griffiths's first televised match (Griffiths was World Champion later that season).
Williams was heavily involved in the administration of snooker and billiards. In 1968, he inspired the resurrection of the defunct Professional Billiards Players Association in the guise of the World Professional Billiard and Snooker Association (WPBSA) and served as its chairman from 1968 to 1987 and 1997 to 1999. In 2001, he was expelled from the Association following alleged fiduciary irregularities and asked to repay legal costs of £28,268, but was reinstated as a full member the following year. The Association apologised for its actions "unequivocally".
He was also a commentator for BBC
and ITV
snooker coverage during the 1980s.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
professional snooker
Snooker
Snooker is a cue sport that is played on a green baize-covered table with pockets in each of the four corners and in the middle of each of the long side cushions. A regular table is . It is played using a cue and snooker balls: one white , 15 worth one point each, and six balls of different :...
and billiards
English billiards
English billiards, called simply billiards in many former British colonies and in Great Britain where it originated, is a hybrid form of carom and pocket billiards played on a billiard table. Billiards is less well known as "the English game", "the all-in game" and "the common game".The game is for...
player.
Williams was an excellent junior player in both snooker and billiards. His professional career began in 1951, during a period of decline in snooker. In the 1960s, when the World Snooker Championship
World Snooker Championship
The World Snooker Championship is the leading professional snooker tournament in terms of both prize money and ranking points. The first championship was held in 1927; since 1977, it has been played at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, England...
was run as challenge matches, he faced John Pulman
John Pulman
John Pulman was an English professional snooker player who dominated the game throughout the 1960s....
in the 1964 and 1965 finals but was unsuccessful both times. In December 1966, during an exhibition match in Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
, he followed Joe Davis
Joe Davis
Joe Davis, OBE was a British professional player of snooker and English billiards....
as the second man to make an accredited maximum 147 snooker break.
He won the World Professional Billiards Championship
World Professional Billiards Championship
The World Billiards Championship is an international cue sports tournament in the discipline of English billiards. It has been played annually since 1980, is one of the oldest sporting World Championships in the world, dating in earnest to the mid-19th century...
seven times from 1968 to 1983, including a reign as champion from 1968 to 1980. He was less successful at snooker, although he did become the oldest player to reach a world-ranking final when, aged 53, he lost to Jimmy White in the final of the 1986 Rothmans Grand Prix. He twice reached the semi-final of the World Championship, losing in 1972 to Alex Higgins
Alex Higgins
Alexander Gordon "Alex" Higgins , also known by his nickname of Hurricane Higgins, was a Northern Irish professional snooker player who was twice World Champion and twice runner-up. Higgins earned the nickname The Hurricane because of his speed of play...
(having been four frames ahead with five left to play) and, in 1974, to Graham Miles
Graham Miles
Graham Miles is a retired English snooker player.Miles turned professional in 1969. He first gained recognition in 1974, when he reached the final of the World Championship. Although he lost 22–12 to Ray Reardon, this turned out to be the highlight of his career...
. He gained the unfortunate distinction of never winning a World Championship match at the Crucible Theatre
Crucible Theatre
The Crucible Theatre is a theatre built in 1971 and located in the city centre of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. As well as theatrical performances, it is home to the most important event in professional snooker, the World Snooker Championship....
, Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
after it became the Championship's permanent venue in 1977, despite playing at the venue on eight occasions (a record he shares with Cliff Wilson
Cliff Wilson
Cliff Wilson was a Welsh professional snooker player. He managed to get to into the world's top 16 in 1988 at the age of 55; a remarkable feat for someone with very poor eyesight and a number of other ailments.- Amateur years :...
). He's also remembered for recovering from 8-1 down to win 9-8 against Terry Griffiths
Terry Griffiths
Terrence "Terry" Griffiths OBE is a retired Welsh snooker player and current snooker coach and pundit. He won the World Championship in 1979 at the first attempt, and reached the 1988 final. He also won the Masters in 1980 and the UK Championship in 1982, making him one of seven players to have...
in the first round of the 1978 UK Championship, in Griffiths's first televised match (Griffiths was World Champion later that season).
Williams was heavily involved in the administration of snooker and billiards. In 1968, he inspired the resurrection of the defunct Professional Billiards Players Association in the guise of the World Professional Billiard and Snooker Association (WPBSA) and served as its chairman from 1968 to 1987 and 1997 to 1999. In 2001, he was expelled from the Association following alleged fiduciary irregularities and asked to repay legal costs of £28,268, but was reinstated as a full member the following year. The Association apologised for its actions "unequivocally".
He was also a commentator for BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
and ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
snooker coverage during the 1980s.