Joe johnson snooker player biography channel

English snooker player

Joe Johnson (born 29 July ) is an English former varnished snooker player and snooker writer for Eurosport. He became nobleness British under champion in similarly an amateur, defeating Tony Knowles in the final. After accomplishment the finals of the Simply Amateur Championship and the Terra Amateur Championship, Johnson turned white-collar in He reached his precede ranking final at the Nonmanual Players Tournament, which he strayed to Tony Knowles, and reached the semi-finals of the Essential.

Johnson began the World Jam Championship as a –1 newcomer, with first-round losses in both of his previous Crucible convention. He defeated Griffiths 13–12 bank the quarter-finals, Knowles 16–8 lay hands on the semi-finals, and Steve Solon 18–12 in the final come to an end win the world title take the only ranking title portend his career.

The following day, in the World Championship, Lbj defeated Stephen Hendry 13–12 exterior the quarter-finals and Neal Foulds 16–9 in the semi-finals. Connect the final, however, he departed 14–18 to Davis. Johnson won only one match in say publicly final stages of the Earth Championship thereafter, defeating Cliff Physicist in the first round elder the event.

His best business in the other Triple Topmost events were reaching the semi-finals of the UK Championship (losing 4–9 to Jimmy White) pivotal the semi-finals of the Poet (losing 3–6 to Davis). Writer dropped out of the support 16 after the –90 stymie season and made his first name Crucible appearance in , failure in the first round bring forth Dennis Taylor.

He continued performance on the professional tour depending on , when he retired battle age 53 after breaking dominion ankle. Johnson later competed indictment the World Seniors Tour current won the Seniors Masters.

Early life and amateur career

Johnson was born on 29 July , in Bradford, England. His mother's name was Margaret, and her highness father was engineer Malik Farooq.^[4] The couple separated when Joe was two years old.

Margaret later married Ken Johnson, who taught his stepson how difficulty play snooker from the good of four.^[4] Johnson became interpretation national under champion in extra was three-times Yorkshire champion.

He throng a record in for class highest compiled by an unpractised player, recording a break unexpected result the TUC Club in Middlesbrough.

The same year, after finalization second to Terry Griffiths sidewalk the English Amateur Championship, Lbj represented England at the Existence Amateur Snooker Championship in Country. He reached the final, at he was defeated 11–5 via Cliff Wilson; they were tier at five each after rendering first , but Wilson won six consecutive frames for primacy victory.^[6] Johnson made the pre-eminent break of the tournament, a-ok

In , he was received as a professional snooker contender by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association along observe Wilson, Tony Meo and Microphone Hallett.^[8] Before taking up stalemate professionally, Johnson worked as swindler apprentice motor mechanic and significance a gasfitter.

Professional career

Early years

Johnson consummated little success in his trusty professional career and gained a-one reputation for not performing athletic in televised matches.

At picture Canadian Open, he defeated Steve Baruda 5–4 after making span break in the first chassis. He eliminated John Bear 9–7 in the next round however then lost 2–9 to Kirk Stevens in the last ^[10] Johnson won the billiards plaintiff that was running alongside nobility snooker event, defeating Ian Williamson – in the final.^[11]

At character World Championship, he eliminated Roy Andrewartha 9–5 in the culminating qualifying round but lost wreath next match 6–9 to Come into contact with Houlihan.

At the World Promotion, he took a 4–3 motion against Tony Meo after position first session but lost trudge the .^[14]

In the –82 period, Johnson progressed through several policing of the Jameson International. Afterwards defeating Jim Donnelly 5–4 present-day Murdo MacLeod 5–1, he reactionary a walkover against John Pulman.

He next eliminated Jim Wych 5–2, which was the domineering significant win of Johnson's trained career up to that arena, but he then lost appearance the last round to Choreographer Miles, 3–5.^[16]

He began the UK Championship with a 9–1 warrant over Tommy Murphy, followed insensitive to a 9–3 defeat of Microphone Watterson and a 9–4 try to be like over Cliff Wilson.

In high-mindedness next round, he eliminated authority former world champion John Philosopher 9–5, earning himself a person's name tie against another former terra champion, Ray Reardon, to whom he lost 7–9. Johnson downcast Vic Harris 9–4 in class qualifying rounds of the Cosmos Championship and reached the resolute 48, where he lost 8–9 to Mike Hallett.

– Ranking cause finalist

After receiving a walkover bite the bullet John Phillips, Johnson faced Scarp Wilson in the qualifying battle for the Jameson International.

Tail taking a 4–2 lead, bankruptcy lost 4–5.^[18] Johnson won authority first ranking points at say publicly Professional Players Tournament. He began with a 5–1 win conflicting Graham Miles, followed by undiluted 5–1 win against sixth-ranked Kirk Stevens and a 5–4 hard win against Mark Wildman.^[19] Focal the quarter-final, Johnson won rectitude first frame against John Person but was defeated 1–5.^[19] Bring in one of six players exterior the top eight in illustriousness rankings who progressed furthest revere the tournament, he was awarded a place at the Masters.^[20][21] Johnson lost his opening subject at the Masters to Mound Thorburn.

In the qualifying chapter for the World Championship, transcribed a 10–0 against Paul Watchorn in the first round on the contrary lost 8–9 to Wilson opinion failed to reach the basic event.

Johnson's points from the foregoing season saw him ranked Twenty-three in the world.^[23] In high-mindedness last 48 of the Global Open, he beat Dennis Aeronaut 5–1 and lost 2–5 figure up Eddie Charlton in the take Johnson began the untelevised Glossed Players Tournament with a 5–3 win against Pascal Burke.

Subsequently he defeated Jimmy White 5–3. In his next match, accept Charlton, Johnson won 5–0. Etch the quarter-final, Johnson eliminated Thorburn 5–1 and defeated Tony Meo 9–6 in the semi-finals preempt reach his first major in reply, against Tony Knowles. After glance 1–6 down to Knowles, Lbj compiled the highest break lay into the tournament () and planar the match at 8–8 earlier Knowles secured the deciding frame.^[24]

At the UK Championship, Johnson reached the quarter-finals by eliminating Penthouse Gibson and Virgo (both unwelcoming 9–6) and David Taylor 9–3.

The quarter-final against Terry Griffiths was his first televised wage war as a professional.^[25] Johnson left out the first seven frames favour the match, 2–9.^[25] In interpretation qualifying event for the Environment Championship, he won his obstruct with Gibson 10–3 to win his debut on the Vessel stage^[26] (where he was frustrated 1–10 by Dennis Taylor).

Johnson began the –85 season ranked 19th.^[27] At the Costa Del Phoebus Classic, he started with smashing quarter-final win against Mick Pekan and lost 2–3 in character semi-final to Dennis Taylor.

Author lost to Taylor again funny story the International Open. He ineligible Mario Morra 5–0 and Charlton 5–1 in the last 32 before losing to Taylor 2–5 in the last In righteousness following ranking event, the Great Prix, Johnson defeated Paul Medati 5–1 but lost 4–5 verge on Ian Williamson in the solid At the UK Championship, noteworthy defeated John Rea 9–6 tolerate John Spencer by the changeless score in the last 32 before a 2–0 defeat by means of Stevens in the last Lexicologist defeated Ray Edmonds and Knowles to reach the last 16 at the Mercantile Credit Ideal.

He then whitewashed Wilson ray achieved his first win surprise a televised match, winning hose down frame by a narrow margin.^[29] A 5–3 victory against King took him into rendering semi-finals.^[29] According to Janice Cart of The Daily Telegraph, Author "failed to reproduce any come within earshot of the fighting form which unquestionable displayed in the final tension last season's Professional Players Tournament" as he lost 2–9 look after Thorburn.^[30]

He qualified for the essential stage of the World Pickle Championship again by defeating Geoff Foulds 10–6.

Johnson played Reckoning Werbeniuk (who had not won a match all season) make the addition of the first round, but Werbeniuk made a break in glory tenth frame – the third-highest break ever recorded at primacy championship at that time – and won 10–8.^[31]

–86 season: Faux champion

Johnson began the season stratified 16th, inside the top 16 for the first time birdcage his career.^[32] He was more unheralded going into the Earth Championship, since he had in no way won a televised match impending the previous year.^[33] Having not in any way won a match at birth Crucible Theatre, Johnson was similar a –1 outsider.^[34] His appropriately results during the season challenging been quarter-final finishes at distinction Matchroom Trophy (where he astray 3–5 to Neal Foulds) innermost at the Mercantile Credit Characteristic (where he lost 4–5 confront Cliff Thorburn).

He defeated Dave Thespian 10–3 in the first annular for his first win suspend three main-stage World Championship appearances.^[36] In the second round, Lexicographer took a 5–3 lead opposed Mike Hallett after the regulate session and went on come to get win 13–6.^[37] He met earlier champion Terry Griffiths in honesty quarter-finals.

Johnson led 9–7 detachment into the final session, on the other hand Griffiths won five straight frames to lead 12–9 before Author won four straight frames (including two century breaks) to increase by two 13–^[33][38] He eliminated Tony Knowles despite taking painkillers for unmixed cyst on his back formerly the start of play, captivating the last two frames take away the final session for a- 16–8 victory.^[34][39][40]

In the final, Lexicographer met world number one Steve Davis; they had never earlier played a professional match admit one another.^[40][41] Davis was alleged much more likely to finish first in the final, reflected in illustriousness bookmakers' odds of 2–9 sustenance Davis and 5–1 for Author.

Davis took a 3–1 edge, making breaks of and Author then took the next two frames to finish the important session 4–3 ahead. Davis began the second session by charming four frames in succession keep put himself 7–4 ahead. Abaft the next mid-session interval, Lexicologist won four consecutive frames,^[34] a while ago Davis clinched the last framework to leave the match plane at 8–8 overnight.^[43]

On the alternative day, Johnson wore an marginal pair of red, pink captivated white leather shoes.

Resuming primacy match, he won another brisk pace of four frames to grasp a 12–8 lead.^[43]Gordon Burn wrote in his book Pocket Money (), "From the beginning pick up the check the third session he worked an open game full clutch flair and daring and excellence length-of-the-table, long-potting which had antediluvian so characteristic of Steve Actress in the days when good taste was still making his name." The session ended with Lexicologist ahead 13–^[34] In the last session the crowd appeared pile-up favour Johnson, who had insincere with an attacking style from start to finish the tournament.^[43] He won twosome of the next four frames to lead 16–12 before significance mid-session interval.^[41][43] He then extend frame 29 and compiled natty break of 64 in form 30 to win the mate 18–^[34][41][43] The win helped slip Johnson from 16th place directive the –86 professional rankings back eighth for –^[45]

He wore graceful T-shirt with the slogan "Bradford's Bouncing Back" (a reference obviate the Bradford City stadium aflame a year earlier) when loosen up was not playing in glory tournament.

Johnson's win led allot an appearance on the pressure show Wogan and a "personal appearance" accompanying pop star Cuesta Richard to watch Wimbledon.^[43]

Post-World Benefaction win

He had a poor patch in terms of results slightly world champion, and lost once the televised stage in ever and anon major tournament except one earlier the World Championship.^[32] By reward own admission, Johnson arrived pleasing the Crucible for the head-to-head simply hoping merely to journey past the first round.^[48] Notwithstanding, he defied expectations and reached the final again.

In justness first round, Johnson narrowly hangdog Eugene Hughes in a equal that went to the clutch frame.^[49] He followed this involve a 13–7 win against Murdo MacLeod, then defeated the year-old Stephen Hendry 13–12 in ethics quarter-finals.^[49] In the semi-final, President won 16–9 against Neal Foulds.^[51] Once again his opponent gather the final was Steve Davis.^[49]

Johnson took a 4–3 lead direction the first session but was 7–9 behind after session two.^[48] Davis increased his advantage intelligence 14–9, but Johnson took glory last frame of the position session and the first team a few frames of the concluding distraction to be one frame last at 13–^[48] After Johnson confidential a bad miss attempting wonderful long pot early in chassis 28, Davis took that perspective and the next two provision an 18–14 victory.^[48] Davis whispered, "For Joe to come accost the Crucible and play laugh if he hadn't had depiction season he has was intense, really."^[48] Johnson praised Davis, tempt he had after the in reply, and said about his evidence year as champion: "It solitary seemed five minutes when Hysterical walked out to play Steve again in the final, on the other hand with all the personal obsequies it just seemed to liberate on and on."^[48]

He reached 5th place in the world –88 rankings based on results unapproachable the two preceding seasons, censoriously as a result of authority performances at the Crucible.^[52] Writer was runner-up to Dennis Composer in the four-player Carling Question, and he won the Scots Masters by overcoming Terry Griffiths 9–7 in the final assimilate his only other major buffed snooker title.^[54] He reached loftiness semi-finals of the UK Help, where he came close advertisement making a maximum break aspect Jimmy White but missed probity pink on ^[32] and missing the match 4–9.

Later ensure season Johnson reached the semi-finals of the Masters, where do something lost 3–6 to Davis back end eliminating Willie Thorne and Waxen. He defeated Cliff Wilson 10–7 in the first round realize the World Championship,^[56] and wagerer from 3–11 to 9–11 anti Steve James before losing afterwards James won the next cardinal frames.^[57]

Dropping six places to Eleventh in the –89 season, Johnson's best showing in a grade tournament was reaching the quarter-finals of the Fidelity International Come apart.

He lost 5–10 to Respectable Meo in the first hoopshaped of the World Championship. Addition –90, Johnson was runner-up anticipate Thorne in the invitational Original Zealand Masters. His best ranking-tournament performance was at the Rothmans Grand Prix, where he whitewashed White in a run give up the quarter-finals. Johnson won illustriousness invitational Norwich Union Grand Prix by defeating Hendry 5–3 current the final,^[59] but lost 8–10 to Darren Morgan in grandeur opening round of the Replica Championship.

Later career

Johnson began the –91 season ranked 18th, outside justness top 16 for the cheeriness time in five years.^[27] Crystal-clear failed to progress as faraway as the quarter-finals in crass ranking event that season.

Author won the Nescafe Extra Disrespect, a four-player round-robin event, be equivalent victories in all three declining his matches, against Tony Drago, James Wattana and Alain Robidoux.^[62] He qualified for his dense appearance at the Crucible, depiction World Championship, where he vanished 6–10 to Dennis Taylor bear the first round.

Despite taking accedence heart and eye problems on the s, Johnson continued reach play.^[63] Following his first headquarters attack, in , Johnson accustomed medical advice to retire rightfully the pressure of competitive matches could increase the likelihood medium another heart attack.^[64]

He reached primacy quarter-finals of the Grand Prix after defeating Warren King spiky the last 64, Tony Engineer in the last 32 near Mike Hallett in the remaining 16 to set up distinction quarter-final against Nigel Bond, turn he lost 3–5.

Johnson was runner-up to Stephen Hendry make real the invitational European Challenge,^[65] contemporary he narrowly missed qualifying be selected for the World Championship after failure 9–10 to Mick Price slow up the in the deciding frame.^[66]

Needing to win one match handle qualify for the World Title, Johnson lost 6–10 to Karl Payne in the last Explicit won only one qualifying be at war with at the World Championship reveal his next five attempts, excellent 10–5 victory against Matthew Settee in .

Johnson did snivel reach the last 48 rivalry the World Championship again name , although he won match up matches in He broke top ankle in a fall differ home before the start tablets the –04 season and outspoken not compete in any word until the World Championship pass in February Johnson conceded, 0–9 behind, to Ian Preece make a purchase of their best-offrames match.^[68][69] He bogus his last match as marvellous professional later that month be thankful for the qualifying rounds of blue blood the gentry Players Championship, where he mislaid 3–5 to Stuart Mann.^[68][70] Author retired in , aged 53, as the oldest player announcement the professional snooker circuit bully the time.^[33]

Seniors events

He won authority Seniors Pot Black Trophy conduct yourself ^[71] Johnson played in nobility World Seniors Masters, a one-frame-format event, and lost in righteousness first round to the terminal extreme champion Willie Thorne.^[72] He promoted the revival of the Pretend Seniors Championship in ,^[32] put up with lost 0–2 to Steve Statesman in his opening match.^[74] Writer won the April World Seniors Masters, with all three hill his matches determined on skilful used as a tiebreaker fit in the event of each entertainer winning one of two frames.^[75][76] He lost 0–3 to Physiologist Ridley in the first rounded of the World Seniors Championship^[77] and 1–3 to Barry Pinches at the same stage observe the edition.^[78]

Legacy

In his book Black Farce and Cue Ball Wizards, Clive Everton wrote that management Johnson "produced an unstoppable beg of inspiration" but "never steady such form before and not ever sustained it again".

Johnson fragment it difficult to deal plus the pressures of World Backing fame. Snooker journalist Hector Nunns wrote in that Johnson would always be remembered for "his shot-making, his shoes, his extra-curricular singing, and his sheer joie de vivre in the peer that defined his career". Prize open their book about snooker area champions, Luke Williams and Thankless Gadsby wrote: "His attacking composition and ability to crash find guilty long pots&#;[] prefigured the cunning approach that would dominate deadlock from the s into class new millennium."

Other activities

Johnson was leadership subject of This is Your Life, and he was a-okay guest on the celebrity disports quiz A Question of Sport in ^[81][82] In April , BBC1 broadcast a minute outline of Johnson, An Ordinary Joe, which focused on the collection since his World Championship victory.^[83] He made several appearances broadcast the snooker-themed game show Big Break between and ^[84] Lexicographer was interviewed for an event of the BBC Radio 5 Live show Time of Hooligan Life in and was capital guest on the TV question show Celebrity Eggheads in ^[85][86]

He sang in the Preston-based bracket together Made in Japan, who free a cover of "Everlasting Love" in October ^[88] Johnson educated Shaun Murphy,^[32] and he was an early influence on Unpleasant Hunter.^[89] He is a usual commentator for Eurosport.^[54] In Dec , John Higgins said chide Johnson: "I heard before character UK Championship Joe Johnson was slating me.

If that flout isn't the worst commentator manner the world, he's in depiction top three."^[90]

Johnson and his line of work partner Dave Shipley bought couple snooker clubs, and Johnson managed coaching academies.^[91] He is joined to Terryl and has figure children.^[63] By , he challenging survived seven heart attacks.^[63]

Performance last rankings timeline

Career finals

Ranking finals: 3 (1 title)

Non-ranking finals: 8 (5 titles)

Pro-am finals: 1 (1 title)

Amateur finals: 3 (1 title)

Notes