Kirk Stevens 2011, back at the crucible

Canadian Legend Kirk Stevens returned to the crucible in 2011 for Snooker Legends, this honest interview showed how close he came to never getting that chance.

[@MrMickyboyblue]

Great player. Part of the gang that brought snooker to life during the best snooker era for me growing up. That 147 will never be forgotten by so many. Top guy!

[@MyCold1]

What a great bloke, being sober is everything. keep it up.

[@rs7124]

What a great snooker player Kirk Stevens was and what a great guy he is

[@parkerbohnn]

I remember Kirk well he used to play all day long at the Golden Cue in Scarborough, Ontario Canada. He never went to high school but was a student at Bendale high school in Scarborough. I also know Cliff Thorburn he just lives one city over from me in Unionville, Ontario. Cliff has a nice house and still golfs. His son Brett is a good snooker player.

[@uktito66]

What a lovely guy , I’m so happy for you Kirk , not a easy road to get off

[@brianethompson768]

Kirk was amazing during the 147 break. On the last black before the frame was won, Kirk was down on the shot and a fan shouted out "Go Jimmy" as his cue started forward. Kirk lifted up long before hitting the cue ball, collected himself, and then the silence was deafening. The pressure was really on, and he did not get great shape on the next red. In the TV videos, the shout was deleted. But it was the most unsportsmanlike behavior I have ever witnessed live. When the final black went in, Donald Sutherland came up and hugged Kirk in congratulations. It was a truly wonderful Canadian moment, and of course, it was not shown on the TV replay. I don't know why not. My wife and I were living in the UK, she studied midwifery and I completed my PhD. Going to see Kirk (and Cliff) play live was our celebration of our graduations. We never expected the ultimate treat -- a 147 break -- from our home-country hero! Thank you, Kirk.

[@gemmaroulston7536]

I thought it was Cliff, as they talked about their 147’s the following day with David Icke?

[@parkerbohnn]

I remember Kirk when he was just a kid about 8 or 9 years old playing snooker at the Golden Cue in Scarborough, Ontario Canada. Years later Kirk and Sammy used to play all day like 7 days a week. The reason Kirk was so good was he never went to high school instead he spent his entire high school at the Golden Cue. They used to phone every school day in the morning to make sure he was there.

[@29brendus]

I seem to remember every ball of that 147, especially the green. Watched it in a guesthouse in Donegal, Ireland, and the landlady was yelling at the TV, Go On KIrk! Go on Boy! I think we were all yelling and on the edge of our seats!

[@Klara104]

Great story within a story. Canadian snooker players were proud to compete across the pond and even win a couple games amongst the world's finest players at that time.

[@miciastarky4290]

very honest, about his faults, respect to you Kirk

[@stefanclarkson3648]

What a great little interview & piece by the BBC. Kirk was my favourite player back in the day. Snooker was so popular back then in the 80s & we as kids would be straight out of school & down the snooker hall. Loved Kirk’s style & game. Great player to watch & had some great matches. Was the 4th best player in the world at one stage & seemed to have it all at his feet. Certainly had the game & ability. Such a pity that the demons caught up with him which affected his career. If it ever came along, his autobiography would be one hell of a read.

[@parkerbohnn]

For me it was pinball I was a former 6 time world pinball champion. I played pinball about 12 hours a day since I was 4 and half years old. I used to play pinball at the Golden Cue they just had the two machines no arcade license Joe was too cheap. I used to play pinball all day and Kirk played snooker all day there. I used to play at a pinball arcade about a mile from the Golden Cue and at Comet Bowl in Scarborough. I used to play pinball at Le Spot in Scarborough. Cliff Thorburn was the 50 percent owner of that snooker hall in Scarborough. I played pinball all over the world and played for money at the Broadway arcade in New York City.

[@djsimonrossprice9400]

Very honest man... great quality. No remorse for him.... Did more than most... well done kirk

[@stephentrudgeon2646]

Honest down to earth humble guy whose come back from serious issues,well done kirk

[@ryanking7787]

Probably the 2nd saddest snooker story after Paul Hunter. He had so much talent as a young player but he needed to be looked after and have somebody to keep him on the right path. At the age of 30 he was no longer at the top and at 35 his career was over. There are so many "what if's".

[@dlamiss]

Yes would agree with that. Went from number 4 to number 50 in 5 seasons

[@markbailey1970]

Fabulous player and lovely man

[@delboy723]

Think Jimmy had a few tears when Kirk came out into the arena. They go back a long way.

[@markwa8400]

If by "go back along way", you mean they used to smoke crack with each other every night lol.

[@JohnSmith-su3ze]

@@markwa8400 that still counts man!

[@doyalikethat1]

brilliant well done kirk

[@jimbanda]

That 147 , one of my sporting highlights of 1980's . I hope he is still on the wagon, there's a great view from it, believe me.

[@parkerbohnn]

Kirk learned the game of snooker from Joe the owner of the Golden Cue in Scarborough, Ontario Canada. Kirk never went to high school at Bendale high school instead he spent his entire high school at the Golden Cue. They used to phone every school day in the morning to make sure Kirk was there. Kirk always played for free and Joe always used to say to others when you can play as well as Kirk I'll let you play for free. I played Kirk a lot in snooker but he used to play with Sammy who was world ranked in Northern Ireland at the time. Joe also backed Kirk in snooker and in pool when people played him for money.

[@tristenjames8354]

I remember Kirk and Cliff from Toronto back in the early 80s...both did drugs but things got out of hand for Kirk...super nice guy...I certainly wish him all the best:-)

[@drinkwater319]

That 147........fucking magnificent

[@jasonfernee2401]

Kirk was so good, the BBC even got the 'Son of God' David Icke to help serve the champagne after the 147.

[@landshark147]

Kirks pro career in England may have ended far too soon, but Canadian snooker fans loved having him here. We learned so much, he always tried to steer me in the proper lane. I feel grateful that I played him so many times over here, fun days indeed.

[@lyndonwebster1577]

Is he still alive? Where does he live in Canada?

[@georgea6277]

@@lyndonwebster1577 Hes still alive , he lives in Toronto.

[@megaspongebob6]

what a nice chap......

[@craigsutherland4726]

A fantastic guy and and awesome person

[@slottyken]

Great player and entertainer. Great looking guy too.

[@terryoneill9525]

im happy he is winning the drink problem well done

[@RhinoRider2006]

Met Kirk at the CNE snooker tournament in Toronto, we attended a party with The Tony's and John Pullman, Steve Davis Willie. I recall that Kirk wore a tee shirt that said, if this boat is a rockin don't bother nockin. That was august 1978, One month before Steve turned pro

[@paulrobb3608]

Great Guy. Glad to see doing well. Have pics with the Last Canadian Snooker Championship he won. Won over the last 5 decades. The Gordie Howe of Snooker. Came to Dundas - HAFA for charity tournaments. One of a kind.

[@slottyken]

He was a good player, Kirk. Like Jimmy White he never fulfilled his potential but he''l always have that Masters semi-final.

[@Amysmith-fh5sb]

Stevens was great, but like the rest, he brought a game which we still want to see. They brought their own personalities onto the table. Who wants to be a robot. They can all play the game, but some play it in a unique way which is great to watch. Juat like the Dutch master in football.

[@keef71]

the 'white flash', i remember him as one of the new 'young' guys threatening to shake it up in the '80s. played with a lot of flair, like jimmy. shame his career didn't pan out but i think there's still a lot of affection for him. just a troubled, humble guy who with the right help, could've won so much.

[@davidantony2734]

well done kirk

[@glenbolton]

top lad

[@terryoneill9525]

i loved the snooker then ,these days not so much

[@roydixon8554]

full of old gits

[@billycasper289]

Read jimmys second autobiography called second wind. Its a brwath kf fresh air. No bullshit best book ive rear in a long time honesty and stuff he got up to is legendary. A part in it what's sad him and kirk smoking crack and thinking now ice seen this bet it wasn't good for him miles away from home famous we a few quid in pocket but wnat a life they'll of hsd 80s was king

[@dannygjk]

23 years...

[@ianwilliamson2980]

Very interesting.

[@ianwatkins6202]

In my humble opinion and it is only an opinion 😊Kirk's 147 was the best of the 147's😊 It may have not been the fastest 147 but it was the best 147 😊

[@Anthony-Testicali]

What a nice guy Kirk is...was great to see him back. I still wonder what happened to snooker in Canada? Ps whats the song playing at 5:00?

[@raymondhavil918]

Talk Talk it's my life

[@5309backbeat]

Kirks right anyone could play Cliff at "Terrys" I played Kirk when we were young at the "Golden Cue" after we threw him in the snow banks-lol

[@CCCoNeTiMe]

Looks like Richard Gear

[@mikesmith1485]

'On the white'.

[@laganas2008]

4:52 Donald Sutherland??

[@TheMrBennito]

As a professional, he screwed up. Waste of talent. He knows it and is an honest man.

[@spleeeen4it]

biggest underachiever ever,such a talent

[@jimmymalone9139]

TOO MUCH COKE BOSS. STATE OF YOU. WHITE SUITS,