Alex was ‘an inspiration’ - Antrim snooker ref recalls
Thursday, 29 July 2010
Alex Higgins (front row, right) pictured with Muckamore man Jack Bates (front row, left), the one-time Irish billiards and snooker champion, and other snooker players during the 1960s.
A REFEREE who met Alex Higgins while officiating at matches across Antrim has paid tribute to the man with the sharp temper and even sharper shot.
Higgins, who last week lost his battle with throat cancer after more than a decade, earned himself the nickname 'The Hurricane' thanks to his fast and furious style of play.
Lesley Mercer met Higgins while he was officiating at matches in Antrim between the 1960s and the 1980s.
He said: "A lot has been said about Alex in the press since he passed away and I would have to agree with most of the wonderful tributes made to him.
“I met Alex on a number of occasions throughout his career and he was always very friendly but, as we all know, he had his problems.
“Snooker has changed an awful lot since my day as a referee but I think Higgins will always be remembered as a fantastic player in his heyday.
“He was certainly an inspiration to other players and to young people getting into the game and some of the shots he pulled off were just unbelievable."
Born in Belfast, Higgins first picked up a cue at the age of 11 and quickly developed into one of the sport's most talented players.
After winning the World Championship at his first attempt in 1972, he became the first superstar of snooker's televised era.
His winning streak lasted right through until the late 80s, including a number of appearances in the Irish Professional Snooker Championship at the Antrim Forum, but the quick temper which gave his game such panache would ironically cause the eventual demise of his career.
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