Famous British Snooker Players

Steve Davis OBE is an English retired professional snooker player, commentator, DJ, electronic musician, and author. He dominated professional snooker in the 1980s, winning six world titles and holding the world number one ranking for seven seasons. Davis won a total of 15 Triple Crown titles, including six UK Championships and three Masters titles. He holds the record for the most professional titles overall, with 84 individual wins. Named BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 1988, Davis continues to be active in snooker as a commentator and analyst.

Jimmy White is an accomplished English professional snooker player known for his dynamic and aggressive playing style. He has achieved numerous accolades in his career, including winning four seniors World titles, two of snooker's major championships, and a total of ten ranking events. Despite reaching six World Championship finals, he has never secured the title, coming closest in 1994. White has also excelled in team events, winning the Nations Cup and the World Cup with England, and holds the distinction of making over 300 century breaks in professional competition.

Ronnie O'Sullivan is a highly accomplished English professional snooker player, regarded as one of the best in the sport's history. He has won the World Snooker Championship seven times, along with a record eight Masters titles and eight UK Championship titles. With 41 ranking titles, he holds the record for the most in history. O'Sullivan is known for his early success, winning his first ranking event at just 17, and his longevity, becoming the oldest winner of all three Triple Crown events.

Joe Davis was a dominant figure in snooker and billiards from the 1920s to the 1950s. Credited with inventing aspects of modern snooker such as break-building, he played a pivotal role in creating the World Snooker Championship in 1927. Winning the first 15 world championships, he remained undefeated in the tournament's history. Davis also excelled in billiards, winning the World Billiards Championship four times. He continued to influence the professional game through various roles until his passing in 1978.

Judd Trump is an accomplished English professional snooker player, renowned for his exceptional talent and numerous achievements in the sport. With a total of 28 ranking titles, including four Triple Crown victories, he has established himself as a dominant force in snooker. Throughout his career, Trump has consistently showcased his skill and determination, setting records such as winning the most ranking titles in a single season and achieving an impressive number of century breaks. His success and accolades have solidified his reputation as one of snooker's finest players.

Willie Thorne was a prominent English professional snooker player known for his break-building skills and early achievement of 100 century breaks. He clinched the 1985 Classic title and was a finalist at the 1985 UK Championship. Thorne earned the moniker "Mr Maximum" for his performance on the snooker table. Transitioning from playing, he became a respected snooker commentator, notably for the BBC, where he continued to contribute to the sport he loved even after retiring from competitive play.

Stuart Bingham is an accomplished English professional snooker player known for his break-building skills. After winning the 1996 World Amateur Championship, he struggled initially in his professional career but saw a significant improvement in his mid-thirties, winning his first ranking title in 2011. Bingham's career reached new heights when he became the World Champion in 2015, making history as the oldest first-time world champion in snooker. Despite facing a ban in 2017, he continued his success, winning his second Triple Crown title at the 2020 Masters.

Reanne Evans is a highly accomplished English professional snooker player with a remarkable career in both women's and mixed-gender snooker competitions. She holds numerous records in women's snooker, including multiple World Women's Snooker Championship titles and UK Women's Snooker Championships. Evans made history by earning a wildcard to the professional World Snooker Tour, where she became the first woman in years to compete professionally. Despite facing challenges, she continues to make significant strides in the world of snooker, paving the way for future generations of female players.

Mark Selby is a highly accomplished English professional snooker player with numerous achievements to his name. He has won a total of 22 ranking titles, including being a four-time World Snooker Champion. Selby has also secured the Masters three times and the UK Championship twice, totaling nine Triple Crown titles. He has held the world number one ranking multiple times and has a remarkable record of over 800 century breaks in professional competition. Additionally, Selby is a skilled pool player, having been a world champion in both snooker and pool.

Shaun Murphy is an accomplished English professional snooker player known as "The Magician" for his precise cue action and exceptional long potting abilities. He turned professional in 1998 and achieved a major career highlight by winning the 2005 World Championship. Murphy has secured a total of twelve ranking titles and eleven non-ranking tournament victories, including the 2015 Masters. With a career prize money exceeding £4 million, he has also amassed over 600 century breaks, including eight maximum breaks. Murphy's success on the professional snooker circuit has solidified his reputation as one of the top players in the sport.

Kyren Wilson is an English professional snooker player known for his success on the World Snooker Tour. With six ranking event victories, including the prestigious World Snooker Championship in 2024, Wilson has established himself as a top player in the sport. He has also reached the final of major events such as the Masters and the Triple Crown tournaments. Known for his prolific break-building skills, Wilson has achieved over 450 century breaks, including multiple maximum breaks. He has consistently maintained a high world ranking and continues to compete at a professional level.

Fred Davis was a highly successful English professional snooker and billiards player. He achieved significant success in the World Snooker Championship, winning the title eight times from 1948 to 1956. Additionally, he was a two-time World Billiards Championship winner. Davis' career spanned several decades, starting in 1929 as a billiards player and continuing until his retirement in 1993 due to health reasons. He was a dominant force in the world of snooker and billiards, leaving a lasting legacy in the sport.

Paul Hunter was an accomplished English professional snooker player known for his success in major tournaments, including three Masters championships and three ranking event wins. He was recognized for his skill in making century breaks, with a high break of 146. Despite being diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumors in 2005, he continued to compete before his untimely death in 2006. Posthumously, he was honored with the renaming of tournaments and trophies in his memory, as well as receiving the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award.

Peter Ebdon is an English retired professional snooker player and current coach. He won nine ranking titles and two Triple Crown titles during his career, including the 2002 World Snooker Championship and the 2006 UK Championship. Ebdon turned professional in the 1991-92 season and remained in the top 16 world rankings until 2009-10, reaching a career high of third. He made 24 Crucible appearances, reached three World Championship finals, and retired in 2019-20 due to chronic neck and spinal pain. Ebdon is known for his intense and controversially slow playing style, having made 377 century breaks in professional competition.

John Parrott is an English former professional snooker player and television personality. He was a prominent figure on the snooker circuit in the late 1980s and 1990s, consistently ranking within the top 16 worldwide for fourteen seasons. Notable achievements include reaching the 1989 World Championship final and winning the 1991 World Championship and UK Championship. He held the number 2 world ranking for three seasons and recorded over 200 competitive centuries in his career, totaling 221.

Gary Wilson is an English professional snooker player known for his cue ball control and break-building skills. He turned professional in 2004 and won the IBSF World U-21 Championship. After a brief hiatus, he regained his professional status in 2013. Wilson has achieved success in various championships, including winning the Scottish Open in 2022 and 2023, as well as the 2024 Welsh Open. He has also been a runner-up at prestigious events such as the China Open and the British Open.

John Spencer was an accomplished English professional snooker player known for his dominance in the 1970s. He won the World Snooker Championship three times and served on the board of the sport's governing body. Spencer's successful career included victories in various prestigious tournaments, such as the Masters and the Irish Masters. He was recognized for his innovative use of a two-piece cue, unique cue action, and impressive cue power. Despite health challenges later in his career, Spencer continued to contribute to the sport through exhibition matches and administrative roles.

Joe Johnson is a former professional snooker player and commentator for Eurosport. He turned professional in 1979 after success as an amateur, reaching his first ranking final in 1983. In 1986, he won the World Snooker Championship as a 150–1 outsider, defeating top players like Steve Davis. Although he reached the final again in 1987, he lost to Davis. Johnson continued to compete professionally until 2005 when he retired due to injury, later winning the 2019 Seniors Masters on the World Seniors Tour.

Stephen Lee is an English former professional snooker player who turned professional in 1992. He achieved a career-high ranking of fifth and won five ranking titles. Notable performances include reaching the semi-finals of the 2003 World Championship and the final of the 2008 Masters. Lee compiled 184 century breaks during his career and was known for his smooth cue action. He was banned for 12 years by the WPBSA for influencing match outcomes in 2008 and 2009, with his ban set to expire in 2024.

Ali Carter is a skilled English professional snooker player known as "The Captain." He has reached the World Championship final twice, in 2008 and 2012, facing Ronnie O'Sullivan both times. Despite not winning the championship, Carter has claimed six ranking titles and achieved a career-high ranking of number two in 2010. His nickname "The Captain" reflects his passion for piloting airplanes, showcasing his diverse interests outside the snooker table. Throughout his career, Carter has established himself as a formidable competitor in the snooker world.

Allison Fisher is a prominent English professional pool and former professional snooker player. Throughout her career, she has showcased exceptional skill and talent in both disciplines, earning numerous accolades and championships. Fisher is widely regarded as one of the most successful and accomplished players in the history of cue sports. Her dedication to the game, strategic prowess, and consistent performance have solidified her reputation as a legend in the world of professional pool and snooker.

Nigel Bond is an English retired professional snooker player who competed on the main tour from 1989 to 2022. He was ranked among the world's top 16 players from 1992 to 1999, reaching a peak of 5th in the 1996–97 season. Bond reached the final of the World Championship in 1995 and won the 1996 British Open. He also won the 2011 Snooker Shoot-Out and the 2012 World Seniors Championship. Bond announced his retirement in 2022 after falling off the tour.

Cliff Lazarenko is an English retired professional darts player, known for his imposing stature at 193cm and weight exceeding 127kg during his career. His nickname "Big Cliff" reflects his physical presence on the darts stage. Lazarenko was recognized for his colorful personality both during matches and in his off-stage interactions. He made a significant impact in the world of darts with his performances and larger-than-life persona, leaving a lasting impression on fans and fellow players alike.

John Pulman was a prominent English professional snooker player known for his World Snooker Championship victories from 1957 to 1968. He turned professional in 1946 and won the English Amateur Championship shortly thereafter. Pulman achieved success in the News of the World Snooker Tournament, winning titles in 1954, 1957, and 1958. His playing style evolved from aggressive in his early years to incorporating safety tactics in the 1970s. After retiring from competitive play in 1981, he became a television commentator. Pulman's career was marked by his emotional playing style and skillful gameplay, earning him a spot in the World Snooker Hall of Fame in 2011.

Ken Owers was a professional snooker player who turned pro in 1986. He had immediate success, reaching the last 16 in tournaments like the 1986 International Open and the 1987 English Professional Championship. Owers won the 1989 WPBSA Invitational Event Two but saw a decline in form by the 1989/1990 season. Despite occasional returns to form, he eventually left professional snooker in 1997 after losing in the World Championship qualifying matches. Owers faced notable players like Jimmy White, Neal Foulds, and Alex Higgins during his career.

David Grace is an English professional snooker player known for his successes in both the amateur and professional circuits. He turned professional in 2008 after winning the European Snooker Championships. Grace has achieved notable victories, including winning the English Amateur Championship and finishing as the runner-up in the men's singles snooker competition at the World Games. He regained his place on the tour in 2019 after a brief absence, earning a two-year card for consecutive seasons. Grace has showcased his skill and determination throughout his professional career.