John Spencer - Steve Davis and Friends
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- Опубліковано 29 сер 2024
- It's 18 years today on the 11th July 2006 that the former 3 times World Champion left us. Steve chats with John about his career. There is footage of Alex Higgins and Ronnie O'Sullivan in the programme.
Rest in peace the great, Mr John Spencer and sadly today, we must pray for the departed Mr Ray Reardon also.
As a big Alex Higgins fan as a youth I remember watching an exhibition between John Spencer and Alex Higgins in Yeovil not long after Alex won the WC in 1982. My mother and father took me and we had our photo taken with Alex. John took the photo. He was an absolute gentlemen, a true legend of the game.
I had the pleasure of watching John spencer at Yeovil many years ago. A gentleman 👍
Thanks for posting this. It’s 18 years ago today John passed away - 11 July 2006. Saw him play in the 1986 UK Championship - the qualifiers were held in snooker clubs and John played Robbie Foldvari (then reigning World Billiards Champion) in Newton-Le-Willows. John won 9-6 and won a further 2 matches to reach the televised stage.
Indeed, I mentioned that in the description about today being 18 years
John was one of the gentlemen of snooker. He was such a great potter, especially his long game. I always said he was the best commentator next to Ted Lowe. RIP John
Liked John immensely, gentle man, great snooker player.
This stuff is pure gold! That Alex shot on the black...I loved Sean Murphy's one of the same not so long ago, but I'd never seen Alex's original shot - truly epic! JS is a class act, too!
Thanks for posting this. John Spencer was one of snooker's pioneers, was ahead of his time IMO, & he was one of those influential players who changed the game for the better.
His book Spencer on Snooker was the first instructional book on snooker I ever bought - it was written in 1973, when Spencer was in his prime
The break-building theories in the book pretty much measure up to the way the top players approach the game today - especially the sections regarding how to think ahead in break-building, making dead balls potable, splitting the pack, etc..... He also gave valuable advice on matchplay,
& the mental side of the game : how to trust your natural ability re : technique (if it feels right, it is right) how to keep the pressure felt to a minimum, & basically enjoying the game - the guy knew it all.
I never met him, but I wish I did.
Spencer played with such a beautiful touch, especially around the pink and black spots, and along with his three world titles, was Masters champion in 1975, and twice winner of the Norwich Union World Open. His splendid century against Terry Griffiths in the 1981 World Team Classic virtually guaranteed England victory, and it is on UA-cam. The incomparable John Spencer.
He commontated on the Alex Higgins Break of the century in 1982
I remember him comment on Alex's 69
This was fascinating! Leisurely, I’d call it. JS is not the most compelling speaker but Davis got a lot out of him. What a window into a different world. Thanks for posting.
He actually speaks very well. People from post-War British cities did in general as they were forced to be people's people.
The early roots of professional snooker meant they also had to subsidise income by playing exhibitions that included elements of show business.
Alex Higgins made snooker a complete one off rip Alex thanks for the memories growing up in the 80s 🙏🎱
Great one - thanks for sharing...
My claim to fame was having my photo taken with him 3 years running at pontins Morecambe early 70s where he brought his own set of balls in a small case . I watched him drive away in a mercedes. I was about 8 at the time , now at 60 i cant remember where i put my keys . My first brush with celebrity . Fond memories .
John Spencer was adamant that White would have beaten Reardon in the final of the ‘82, but subsequent results did not bear that out. Following the 1982 Professional Championship, Reardon beat White in the final of the Professional Players Tournament, the UK Championship, the Masters, and the final of the Yamaha International Masters. And White never did become world champion anyway. So the alternative ‘82 final was not a forgone conclusion by any means.
No chance, Reardon was far to clever a player for Jimmy over 35 frames
I think his response was a bit tongue in cheek to be fair as he wasn't keen on Ray. I think one also has to take into consideration that if Jimmy had beaten Alex he would've had a very good chance as he would've been very confident. The loss to Alex took a bit out of Jimmy the following season when Reardon beat him four times in a row before Jimmy beat Ray twice in 1983 Uk and 1984 when he won the masters. They never crossed swords again after that and had an overall record of 5-4 to White in matches.
And Ray was far better than Jimmy under pressure. A better player too.
True and like White himself has said, if he'd won it in 1982, he'd likely have died. Sure, it maybe have been to comfort himself from the loss, but achieving his ultimate dream at the time of a drug and substance abuse habit could have wrecked havoc on him.
White would of won because he was on fire....the best he ever played.....and always got in first....would of been by 3 or more frames....Jimmy puts you under pressure by potting everything....did miss a few.....would of been like tide coming in.....but in another tournament.....it was 50/50.....plus Ray was past his best.....early 70's Ray would of been a frame in it?
So much animosity towards Ray Reardon that I never knew about. Too late to change your minds now.
I loved Alex but his inconsistency drove me mad! When he was on it nobody got close. At the time of his death, Ronnie had already inherited the crown and still holds it.
a legend,73 frames jeez
I always liked John Spencer. Can understand his feelings about Ray Reardon, who I guess was like the Peter Ebdon of his day, sometimes trying to win using methods that some would say are unsporting. I liked Reardon until I heard him talking about Alex Higgins in the 1982 final, saying he had taken something in the last interval. I feel Alex was on nothing illegal that day, it was just Reardon making excuses for his defeat.
Very same here, sounded like sour grapes to me
Difficult to say as Higgins had a reputation of being on something on many an occasion. Wouldn't surprise me at all if he took something during that interval. I don't get the comparison between Reardon and Ebdon. Reardon was an entertainer. Always liked a laugh and a joke with the crowd and accepted defeat gracefully. Ebdon played slowly intentionally and was forever walking back to his chair for drinks etc. That's gamesmanship.
Ray was the perfect snooker player, particularly for his time. He always beat Spencer when it mattered. Sour grapes no doubt.
@@paulbennett4009 That's not exactly true, Spencer beat Reardon on the way to winning the title in 1970 and 1977.
@@bottlecap57 Higgins drug was legal, alcohol. It lost him several finals. In 1982, he had his baby daughter, probably kept him sober enough to play his best? Many players were on beta blockers before they were banned, then they fell down the rankings. While Alex Higgins didn't like the drug tests, he never failed one.
Interesting to listen to JS' thoughts on Reardon's sportsmanship (or a lack of) - can definitely see him be somewhat disapproving of Ronnie's tactics with Desislava at the Worlds. Very much the Pupil imitating from the Master. Still not quite on board with a lot of people going on about how "sporting" he was. It all just seemed like a bit of a dickheaded act.
Obviously I was too young to see Spencer play but I did enjoy his commentary immensely as a kid....as many have pointed out, you could tell he was a previous World Champion by predicting the player's shot before they'd even taken it. Or as a kid, I thought we were getting a sort of delayed feed and Spencer knew what was coming and just knew how to describe. Either way, a hell of a gift!
Desislava was hard headed for no reason
she should waited few seconds for the crowd go back to their seats
intresting discourse about what john thought of reardon there
And he's just died. Maybe they'll meet again now...
Great video
John was a tough man. He didn't suffer fools gladly. He had a hard upbringing and he had to be respected - being the first ever world champion at the Crucible is something that will never be taken away from him BUT he did have a chip on his shoulder regarding certain players. I don't think Steve found him an easy man to warm to and there was a slight feud between Spencer and Nigel Bond for some reason in the nineties. Great snooker player though. RIP John.
great player and commentator
Cant understand Spencers dislike for Ray Reardon considering he played with him in the world doubles plus they played quite a few rounds of golf together. Perhaps a chip on his shoulder about how many world titles Ray achieved. That part about Ray making the ref reset the pack was something and nothing and Charltons antics in the world champs held in Australia were second to none. Liked his commentary though...
Loved Spencer and Kirk Stevens back in the day....
Like chalk and cheese. Lol.
What a shot by alex higgins on that pot black thing
He was before my time really, but that sure was an amazing shot that you showed to pot that black on pot black.
Like other people have pointed out there does seem to be a touch of sour grapes from the point of view of Reardon who was his biggest rival in their respective primes - John comes across as a very decent man but I have to say I disagree with his prediction on saying Jimmy would have beaten Ray easily n the 82 final - Ray was past his peak by then but over a 35 frame match I think his experience would have won through - Jimmy was still learning the pro-game at that point in his career but its all opinions at the end of the day
No one knows how the 82 final would have panned out had White been Reardons opponent.... The only thing I would say is Kirk Stevens thrashed Reardon 13/2 in 84
Its great to hear the opinions of the older generation of players.
I've never detected any issues between John and Ray, but since Ray was more high profile, perhaps john felt he didn't get the attention he deserved.
He mentioned that he thought White would have beaten Reardon, from what I remember white was an entertaining player, but tended to make mistakes and gift chances, Reardon being the player he was tactically, i would put my money on Ray, but its all opinion.
Spencer very reluctant to give reardon any praise surprising
Have you got the Ted Lowe episode from Steve Davis and Friends at all?
@@digeme69go on my profile page, it says my email on there. Many thanks if you can share it via email, much appreciated
fantastic Spencer rest in pace
Rest in peace, Ray Reardon, now also.
Gold
It sounds like this was before Ronnie won his first World title in 2001, just think what he's done since...
Sad to hear a great player like John Spencer so bitter and resentful about a rival that was better than him in Ray Reardon. Spencer’s comment that White “would have murdered Reardon in the 1982 World final” is pure bitter emotion. When the new wave of young talent started to flourish beginning with Steve Davis, Spencer could not compete with them at all. It was only Reardon from the old guard who did. To this day Reardon is the only player to whitewash Steve Davis 3 times and in the 82/3 season Reardon met White 4 times and beat him 4 times including trouncing him in 2 major finals. Sorry to say but Reardon was a better player than Spencer by quite some distance and had more flair and skill around the black spot too. Ray was never bitter about rivals who succeeded him in Davis, White and Reardon. Even as an old man in playing terms Ray trounced White and Davis and also gave Hendry everything he could handle in 2 matches, one going to a decider. Spencer never got near any of this. Sad to see him so bitter. Ray would have beaten White in 82.
Totally agree with you. I always assumed Spencer and Reardon got on well. Maybe they fell out later in life, who knows? To say White would have murdered Reardon really is nonsense and not a fitting one from a 3 time world champion.
@@timfincham3756I don’t think they were ever close. I think Spencer felt that if Reardon had not been around he would have dominated. Also, Ray was a bit of a mercenary when it came to money, earned very good money throughout his career and I think Spencer may have resented that too. There may have also been some board shenanigans and fallout between the two.
History tells us white didn’t have the minerals to win any final at the crucible
*🏆 🥇 - 1st - 🥇 🏆*
The 1st 147 maker!
That is true but it wasn't televised as the crew were on a break. Added to this it wasn't recognised as an official 147 due to the cut of the pockets being on the generous side.
@@digeme69 ah right but had the camera man not taken a lunch break it would have been the 1st recognised 147
@@michaeljohnson5365 Joe Davis made the first, in 1955, with the old balls they talked about in this video.
@@sharpvidtubeJoe’s balls were 54 years old in 1955. Although I’m not sure what that has to do with the quality of snooker he was playing. For the record, Steve Davis’s balls were only 52 when he reached the QF at the Crucible back in 2009.
The old balls were twice the weight, deep screw you could break your wrist.... The super cryistalight are so different. @@johnsrabe
Funny that Bernard Bennett had to be persuaded to turn pro - he stayed that way until 1995 at the age of 63! A great servant to professional snooker, even if the superstars like John took the limelight. Not surprised at John's dislike of Ray; it's worth remembering too that at the time this programme was made, Ray had recently been heavily involved with Rex Williams' WPBSA dictatorship...they may have been rivals on the table, but Rex and Ray were seemingly very close away from it. John, for his part, always comes across as a man for fair play, integrity, honesty straight down the line. On a different note - strange that Mark Johnston-Allen should have decided to focus on commentating so early in his career, in his mid-twenties! He could still play really well too, and it's not like he's ever had any skill as a commentator...
I didn't realise that there was ill feeling between John and Ray. They were partners in the first World doubles in 82 and again in 83. John is right however about the antics as there is no real need for it.
There's another story from Reardon against Charlton in the episode of this series when Reardon is interviewed by Davis. Not really that sporting tbh
I’ve always wondered how McEnroe would have done if he was actually punished for his bad sportsmanship.
@@digeme69 Are you referring to the two deliberate in-offs Reardon says he played?
@@mrindecisive100 Indeed
@@mrindecisive100 Yes, It's not great but with his death the other day it seems trivial now.
STEPHEN LEE was in attendance
23:26 sniff 😂
Always liked John Spencer but what a load of crap about older players. Walter lindrum, Don Bradman and Michael Jordan are streets ahead of their modern peers
National Spastics Society…. 🤣🤣🤣
Imagine saying that on tv today
You just did. Any ramifications yet?
@@davidsmith5523 I wasn’t being filmed so can’t see how “I just said it on tv”?
But STEPHEN LEE was in attendance for that interview
@@PlayMoreGolf-RipOff So what? Your comm4nt is still here. It is nowadays. That was the name of the charity in question. Cerebral Palsy was known by that name for decades.