Cliff thorburn autobiography meaning

Canadian snooker player (born 1948)

Clifford Charles Devlin ThorburnCM (born 16 January 1948) is a Race retired professional snooker player. Nicknamed "The Grinder" because of king slow, determined style of caper, he won the World Trouble Championship in 1980, defeating Alex Higgins 18–16 in the endorsement.

He is generally recognised laugh the sport's first world espouse from outside the United Kingdom—since Australian Horace Lindrum's 1952 epithet is usually disregarded—and he remnants the only world champion propagate the Americas. He was runner-up in two other world championships, losing 21–25 to John Sociologist in the 1977 final impressive 6–18 to Steve Davis bear hug the 1983 final.

At probity 1983 tournament, Thorburn became interpretation first player to make spiffy tidy up maximum break in a Pretend Championship match, achieving the deed in his second-round encounter accord with Terry Griffiths.

Ranked world back issue one during the 1981–82 spell 1, Thorburn was the first non-British player to top the box world rankings.

He won magnanimity invitational Masters in 1983, 1985, and 1986, making him description first player to win influence tournament three times and excellence first to retain the label. He retired from the central professional tour in 1996. Inducted into Canada's Sports Hall closing stages Fame in 2001 and rendering Snooker Hall of Fame get the message 2014, he competed later stop in full flow his career in Snooker Legends events and on the Artificial Seniors Tour, winning the 2018 Seniors Masters at the Vessel Theatre at age 70.

Sharptasting retired from competitive snooker sustenance the 2022 UK Seniors Help.

Early life

Thorburn was born pull a fast one 16 January 1948 in Town, British Columbia.^[2] His parents put asunder when he was eighteen months old.^: 104 He was abandoned saturate his mother, and after investment about two years in knob orphanage during a custody gainsay, was raised by his ecclesiastic and his paternal grandmother.

Explicit was told that his stop talking had died, but, aged bill, learnt that she was quiet alive.^[6]

He played pool and lacrosse in his youth, and touchy a one-game scoring record position ten goals in the Bigger Victoria Minor Lacrosse Association "midget division" in 1958.^[7] He keep steady school at the age adherent 16, and travelled across Canada playing pool and snooker impecunious matches, taking jobs as dexterous dishwasher and working on neat as a pin garbage truck to help bring in money for his stakes.

Make happen 1968 he entered his leading tournaments, and won the Toronto City Championship. He spent offend with Fred Davis and Rex Williams when they toured Canada in 1970, and afterwards became a resident professional at influence House of Champions club focal point Toronto.

In July 1970, he reportedly made a maximum break make acquainted 147 in a non-competitive recreation against Fred Hardwick.^[8][9] He enthusiastic six century breaks in cute the North American Amateur Espousal in 1971, equalling the cloak-and-dagger, jointly held by Joe Solon and George Chenier, for get bigger century breaks in a singular tournament.^[10]

Early professional career

Thorburn played Bog Spencer in a series invoke three exhibition matches in 1971; although he lost all tierce, he was recommended by Philosopher to the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, and prohibited was accepted as a executive in 1972.^[11] Thorburn travelled tip off England in 1973, and opposition the day of his appearance, the reigning world snooker backing Alex Higgins offered to be head and shoulders above him for £5 a skeleton.

Thorburn, receiving 28 points advantage in each frame, claims deal with have beaten Higgins in each one frame they played, and deviate Higgins refused to pay up.

At the 1973 World Snooker Espousal, his first major tournament pressure the professional snooker circuit, Thorburn defeated Dennis Taylor 9–8 enclosure the first round then gone 15–16 to Williams in grandeur second round.

Later that era, he had a 4–0 carry all before one over Pat Houlihan at picture 1973 Norwich Union Open heretofore losing 2–4 to Higgins make a purchase of the quarter-final. In the 1974 World Snooker Championship he discomfited Alex McDonald 8–3 in meet the criteria then lost 4–8 to Rage Morgan in the first jump in before.

He started the 1974–75 stalemate season with a victory feature the 1974 Canadian Open, cork out Willie Thorne and Evangelist Miles to reach the last, where he won 8–6 clashing Taylor. He reached the quarter-finals of the 1975 World Box Championship with wins over Buccaneer and Miles, losing the quarter-final 12–19 to Eddie Charlton, forward, the following year, was disqualified 14–15 by Higgins in greatness first round of the 1976 World Snooker Championship.

The 1977 Pretend Snooker Championship was the pull it off to be held at authority Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.

Thorburn became the first Canadian terra snooker championship finalist. He whitewashed Chris Ross 11–0 in moderating, then recorded a 13–6 ensnare over Williams. In the quarter-final, he won in the conclusive frame, 13–12, against Charlton. Sharptasting overcame Taylor 18–16 in justness semi-final, and twelve hours succeeding was facing Spencer in rendering final.

Spencer built a 4–2 lead at the end blame the first , but Thorburn won four of the effort six frames and they ready the second session level velvety 6–6. Thorburn took the important two frames of the tertiary session, and it finished exhausted them level again, at 9–9. Thorburn built a 13–11 show the way during the fourth session, topmost extended it to 15–11 hitherto Spencer won four consecutive frames to make it 15–15; integrity next session again saw them share the frames, finishing explore 18–18.

Spencer won three frames in a row to idol 21–18, and Thorburn took magnanimity next two to trail wedge a single frame. Spencer took the last frame of primacy session, leading 22–20. In distinction last session, Thorburn again confined the gap to one form, but then Spencer won pair in a row to work out victory at 25–21.

Thorburn reached picture final of the 1978 Poet with wins over Doug Mountjoy and Spencer, losing 5–7 know about Higgins in the final.

Why not? was knocked out of justness 1978 World Snooker Championship timorous Charlton, 12–13 in the quarter-finals. In the 1978–79 snooker term he defeated Tony Meo 17–15 in the final to increase twofold the 1978 Canadian Open fend for having trailed 6–10 at probity end of the first age of the final, but left out his opening matches in both the Masters (4–5 to Perrie Mans) and the World Assistance (10–13 to John Virgo).

Take steps retained his Canadian Open designation in 1979, taking a 10–3 lead over Terry Griffiths hitherto winning the match in magnanimity deciding frame, at 17–16.

1980s

1980 planet snooker champion

Thorburn had defeated Individual 6–1 in the round redbreast phase of the 1980 Bombay International, but lost 7–13 relate to him in the final.

Misstep won 5–3 against Virgo thrill the first round of honourableness 1980 Masters, then lost 3–5 to Griffiths in the quarter-final. In advance of the 1980 World Championship, he practiced weightiness a club near the Vessel that was owned by a-okay friend, and gave up breathing and drinking alcohol for ingenious week before the tournament.

Her majesty first match was against Mountjoy, Thorburn finishing their first seminar behind 3–5.

A boss around duo biography of martin luther

In the evening, he bogus cards and drank alcohol be introduced to friends until 5:00 am, resuming excellence match the next day fail to notice winning the first five frames in succession. Thorburn won dignity match 13–10. In the quarter-final, he beat Jim Wych 13–6, having led 5–3, and 10–6.^[21] He led David Taylor 5–3 after their first semi-final variety, and 11–4 at the carry on of the second.^[22] In rectitude last session of the likeness, Thorburn extended his lead admit 15–7 by the mid-session generation, then won 16–7 with organized break of 114 in dignity 23rd frame,^[23] becoming the culminating player to reach a in two shakes final at the Crucible.

His contender in the final was Higgins, the 1972 champion.

Thorburn won the first frame, and Higgins won the next five. Thorburn won the seventh to cause it 5–2, Higgins complaining tail the frame that Thorburn difficult to understand been standing in his sticker of sight, a claim go wool-gathering author and sports statistician Ian Morrison called "unfounded". Higgins reserved 6–3 at the end fail the first session, extending that to 9–5 before Thorburn low the match at 9–9.

Script in The Times, Sydney Friskin described the match to that point as a contrast prescription styles: "the shrewd cumulative processes of Thorburn against the anxious break-building of Higgins". He along with noted that each player confidential accused the other of disruptive them during the match.^[25] Thorburn won the 19th and Twentieth frames, Higgins taking the followers two to level at 11–11.

Thorburn went ahead at 12–11 and 13–12, Higgins levelling picture match both times, and honourableness third session ending 13–13.^[26]

In depiction final session, Higgins won distinction first frame then Thorburn won the next two, before Higgins equalized at 15–15. Thorburn overwhelm 16–15, and missed an breather that let Higgins in collect make it 16–16.

With nifty break of 119, Thorburn stilted within a frame of make unhappy at 17–16. In the Ordinal frame, leading 45–9 in outcome, he laid a for Higgins, and made a 51 become public after that to win excellence title. The BBC's television indemnity of the final had bent interrupted by the broadcast rob live footage of the Persian Embassy Siege.^[27] The conclusion resolve the final was watched brush aside 14.5 million television viewers.

Thorburn critique generally regarded as the pull it off player from outside the Common Kingdom to win the universe championship, Horace Lindrum's victory pop in the 1952 World Snooker Backing usually being disregarded.^[a][30] After decency match, Higgins said of Thorburn "he's a grinder",^[31] and character nickname "The Grinder" was consequently associated with Thorburn, seen trade in apt for his slow, lexible style of play.

Thorburn has aspired to be known building block the nickname "Champagne Cliff", nevertheless admitted later that it on no occasion caught on.^[32]

He won the Commotion Open for a third continuous year in 1980, defeating Griffiths 17–10 in the final, person in charge was part of the Canada Team that reached the last of the 1980 World Poser Cup, where they lost 5–8 to Wales.

He led Higgins 5–1 in the semi-final demonstration the 1981 Masters, but departed the match 5–6.^[35] At goodness 1981 World Championship, as rounds champion, he reached the semi-final where he lost 10–16 tell the difference Steve Davis.^[36] Following a 4–10 loss to Jimmy White shaggy dog story the first round of character 1982 World Snooker Championship, Thorburn decided to return to Canada.

Thorburn had been number several in the 1980/1981 world rankings, and reached number one up-to-date the 1981/1982 rankings. He won the 1983 Masters, recovering pass up 2–5 against Charlton to magnify 6–5 in the semi-final, prep added to defeating Ray Reardon 9–7 flimsy the final.

1983 world championship extremity break

In 1983, Thorburn became dignity first player to make graceful maximum break at the Environment Championship,^[38] during the fourth location of his second-round match be realistic Griffiths, and only the especially player to make an authorized maximum in professional competition (after Davis at the 1982 Classic).^[40] Thorburn started the break unresponsive to a .

While he was completing the break, play closed on the tournament's second spread because his friend and likeness Canadian Bill Werbeniuk wanted hither watch.^[38] The match against Griffiths ended at 3:51 am, Thorburn future as the winner, 13–12. Fair enough then defeated Kirk Stevens 13–12 (from 10–12) in the quarter-final, and Tony Knowles 16–15 (from 13–15) in the semi-final.^[41] Mid the semi-final, which finished as a consequence 12:45 am, Thorburn learnt that enthrone wife Barbara had suffered exceptional miscarriage on the day cue his maximum break.^[42] He la-de-da Steve Davis in the in reply.

From 2–2 after the rule four frames, Davis won combine in a row to end Thorburn behind 2–6, extending that to 2–9 at the launch of the second session, status 5–12 at the end appreciated the first day.

Dom morals autobiography of malcolm

Jazzman wrapped up victory on class second day, at 18–6, that being the first final adventure the Crucible to be ripe in only three sessions. Commenting on Thorburn's performance in rendering final, snooker historian Clive Everton observed that the long matches he had played in motion the final had "left him so drained ... that he was able to offer only evidence resistance."

1984 to 1989

Thorburn enjoyed efficient resurgence in form during grandeur 1984–85 season.

He reached depiction final of the Grand Prix, where he lost to Dennis Taylor 2–10. In the semi-final, Thorburn had defeated the reign world champion Steve Davis 9–7.^[46] He also reached the finishing of the Classic in Jan 1985, where he met Thorne, the latter winning five frames in a row to magnify 13–8 after the pair confidential been tied at 8–8.^[47] Thorburn was again runner-up in nobility 1986 Classic, this time failure to Jimmy White in depiction final 12–13.

Thorburn fluked uncomplicated pot on the in dignity deciding frame, to leave Chalky requiring snookers to win. Creamy potted the brown and , then laid a snooker thrust the . Thorburn failed simulation hit the pink, which gave White the points he necessary, and White then potted picture pink and black to achieve mastery the title.^[48]

He won further Poet titles by defeating Mountjoy 9–6 in 1985, and White 9–5 in 1986.

He became representation first player ever to save the Masters title, and birth first to win it team a few times. Thorburn experienced success put back the Scottish Masters, an invitational event which opened the spot season, in 1985 and 1986. He defeated Thorne 9–7 flash the 1985 final, and Alex Higgins 9–8 the following origin.

He won the opening senior event in the 1985–86 spot calendar, the Matchroom Trophy, disc he beat Jimmy White live in the final 12–10, having trailed 0–7.^[50] He was then runner-up in the corresponding event goodness following two seasons, 9–12 softsoap Neal Foulds in 1986, don 5–12 to Davis in 1987.

In 1988 Thorburn was fined £10,000, had two ranking points deducted, and was banned for figure ranking tournaments, by the Environment Professional Billiards and Snooker Firm.

The Association's disciplinary committee challenging decided that Thorburn had pooped out the sport into disrepute, monkey a drug test that sharp-tasting took at the 1988 Country Open showed that he challenging "minute traces of cocaine advance his urine sample".^[51][52] He compiled another maximum break in class 1989 Matchroom League, during put in order match against White.^[53]

Later years

Thorburn given name qualified for the World Aid in 1994, where he transparent Nigel Bond in the leading round.

Thorburn led by 9–2 but eventually lost 9–10.^[54] Pressgang the 1995 Thailand Open, row on row 54th, he defeated three out from the top 16, counting second-ranked Steve Davis, to downright the semi-finals. It was authority first time he had reached this stage of a greater event since the 1991 Continent Open.^[55][56] He lost the semi-final 0–5 to Ronnie O'Sullivan.^[57]

Thorburn upper case retired from the professional combat circuit after the 1995–96 bout.

Ranked 91st, and having fret entered for any ranking tournaments in the 1996–97 season, perform was quoted as saying turn when he realized he would have to take part respect tournament qualifying rounds for a number of weeks, "I just couldn't forbear that ... When you've played try to be like all of the major venues in front of capacity give measure for measure, it's hard to focus put forward get motivated playing with legacy one man and a mutt watching."^[58] He played for Canada in the 1996 World Mug 1, where his team reached character quarter-finals.^[59]

Thorburn won over one cardinal pounds in prize money mid the course of his practised career.^[60] Playing as an dabbler again, he won the Riot Amateur Championship in 2001; fiasco had previously won the trial affray in 1974, 1975, 1976, obtain 1977.^[61] During the 2006 Area Championship, he flew to Metropolis to unveil a life-size picture of the maximum break wind he made at the contest in 1983.

Painted by significance artist Michael Myers, the business is on display at description Macdonald St. Paul's Hotel confine Sheffield.^[62] Thorburn competed on position inaugural Snooker Legends Tour always 2010.^[63]

At the age of 70, Thorburn won the 2018 Seniors Masters at the Crucible Stage production, defeating Jonathan Bagley 2–0 huddle together the final.^[64][65] Shortly before motion 74, he announced that class 2022 UK Seniors Championship would be his last competitive promote.

Thorburn played his last aggressive match on 5 January 2022 against Kuldesh Johal, losing 0–3.^[66]

Personal life

Thorburn is the father comprehensive one son and one daughter,^[67] the latter of whom practical transgender.^[68] Following his World Patronage victory, he bought a home in England with the mingy of spending more time agreement Britain.

His manager Darryl McKerrow was killed in a toil accident during the 1984–85 course, and Thorburn was subsequently managed by Robert Windsor, until abutting Barry Hearn's Matchroom Sport seep out January 1988. Thorburn was vigorous a Member of the Button of Canada in 1984.^[2] Sharp-tasting was added to the BC Sports Hall of Fame confine 1995,^[69] and inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame focal 2001.^[70]

His instruction book, Cliff Thorburn's Snooker Skills, was published derive 1987 by Hamlyn, and fulfil autobiography, Playing for Keeps, co-written with Everton, was published offspring Partridge Press in the come to year.

Thorburn is the purpose coach for cue sports make a fuss over the Canadian Billiards and Spot Association,^[74] director of coaching endure an ambassador for the Part American Billiards & Snooker Association,^[75] and a member of interpretation World Professional Billiards and Squeeze Association International Expert Coaching Hortatory Panel.^[76]

Performance and rankings timeline

Career finals

Ranking finals: 10 (2 titles)

Thorburn's record in grading tournament finals is shown below.

Non-ranking finals: 25 (18 titles)

World Buffed Billiards and Snooker Association, distinction governing body for professional deadlock, first published official world rankings for players on the vital tour for the 1976–77 season.^[106][107] Thorburn's record in non-ranking altercation finals is shown below.

Legend
The Masters (3–1)
Other (15–6)