Willie Thorne v John Virgo 1984 World Championship

[@stevenmitchell2996]

Rest in peace, Willie Thorne.

[@simonlevett4776]

Absolutely, great player at his best, and my favourite commentator by far. Was dropped by the BBC for some reason. I don't really follow snooker now, still don't know what he did to upset our main broadcaster.

[@andrewmacleod5826]

LOVE !!!! The snooker matches from the 70's and 8O's ...R.I.P Willie Thorne

[@samarthur1847]

A great match. A day or so laterJV was doing his impressions and someone shouted out “do John Virgo” to which he replied “I tried that against Willie Thorne and lost”. RIP Willie.

[@levigriffiths6942]

RIP Willie, this just proves he was one of the most fluent heaving scoring players of his era

[@hystericalwolf]

Goodbye to our dear friend, Willie Thorne 💔💔

[@bonzodog6872]

Two elegant players around the table and a joy to watch

[@PhilippinesUntold76]

I'd almost forgot just how good he was around the table. Fast flowing snooker. RIP Willie, a good lad.

[@opencurtin]

I can’t believe WT has passed his life seemed so hard with the gambling addiction but you’d never think it when he commentated he always sounded so relaxed and assured RIP sir ...

[@FanVarious]

Great to watch this. I rarely see Virgo playing. He's usually in his seat in other videos,

[@theirishshowman]

Willie was an excellent player and like Alex, Jimmy and Ronnie he got a buzz from showboating to the crowd. He had a nice touch, he was a brilliant commentator for BBC, and he was a household name at a time when there were only a few tv channels. He didn't win many tournaments but yet he made a career out of it. His played me on my table in my home, we are both problem gamblers and Willie leaves that warning for anyone that thinks they can beat the system,. RIP old friend.

[@edmundpower1250]

How did the games go at your place? Any 147s?

[@williambriggs79]

John Virgo playing, Alex Higgins commentating, Thorne with some hair. Was this played in a parallel universe?

[@12mkultra]

Brief clip of David Icke also...

[@wischef64]

@Ian Swinton He opened the fish and chip shop with Peter "The Rocket" Ebdon.

[@kevinwatts8958]

.... and David Icke presenting!

[@hughmungus1235]

@@wischef64 I bet he hasn't opened it yet then, waiting for ebdon to do the first turn of the key.

[@lifeschool]

Everybody noticed David Icke. Wonder where he got the green aliens with the red balls from?

[@sjs260563]

nice to hear Alex again, thanks for posting

[@nickycotton6137]

Bless him.🔥 These 2 on the 🎤 sadly missed.

[@SimonPhillips76]

WT deserves more credit than he gets for being one of the trailblazers for a more fluent, elegant style of snooker. Like the greats he always seems to have an alternative option. I loved watching this.

[@dtouey]

A terrific and ding-dong battle.

[@stephenkelly2779]

Taken too soon willie what a legend and a true gentleman rip friend. Xx

[@peaceandLove220]

Willie Thorne was a silky smooth cueist, a great player and great pundit on BBC, always used betting analogies in his commentary :) , rest in peace

[@nickycotton6137]

Aye, great call's there + always respected others. Bless 🔥

[@Loverboy19691]

R,I,P Willie Thorne.

[@chubbychubbs5552]

Met Willie at Royal ascot, stopped and chatted to people, signed autographs, really down to earth and friendly….

[@bigscrounger]

Willie was a solid cueist. Excellent timing, cue action and break building capabilities. Probably able to match the players of today...

[@simonlevett4776]

I agree.

[@chrisbland6942]

Alex Higgins commentary was hilarious! “Wrong again, Alex” 😂

[@dlamiss]

@Montgomery15 Snooker Videos Yep nicest guy in the world on a good day....

[@jupiter-8405]

Did he manage to get p*ssed in the commentary box lol!

[@edmundpower1250]

Not a good commentator. Check out that cringe statement at 5.50. Ted felt so embarrassed he didn't even reply!

[@79BlackRose]

I loved hearing Ted Lowe referring to Neal Foulds as "the youngster", haha! :D

[@gezzaf6912]

RIP Willie a true gentleman

[@terra2805]

R.I.P. Willie, a true gentleman.

[@andywright3450]

Sleep tight mate miss u Willie

[@spleeeen4it]

JV's 79 break was delightful

[@combat246]

Willie was quite elegant around the table.

[@JesseCrucible]

17:30 WHERE IS THE CUEBALL GOING???? 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@UXB-p5u]

2 great characters the late much missed Willie Thorne a colourful man a natural entertainer and a troubled man ❤ J V always makes any tournament better knowing JV is commentating a witty man and an honest man.

[@mikerainham]

Great player, even if he didn’t win much when he was playing relaxed snooker he was a match for anyone.

[@mickharrison9004]

Yes sadly he wasn't relaxed enough ,due to gambling problems I used to see him when going into toddington services ,it's gone now but used to be a bookies he liked was in there a lot ,and years ago before card payments you couldn't miss the big wedges of money Willie chucked over the counter ,and sadly like with most gamblers not very often any comes back it's easy to say ,but I'm sure if he hadn't been a gambler he d of won a lot more ,which he should of done on talent plus a gentleman .

[@pearcegreatesteverleftback03]

Snooker misses these characters

[@djsimonrossprice9400]

Smoothest player ever. Terrible shame he couldn't control his nerves... RIP willie...

[@nevilletravis586]

no bottle

[@jjddww12345]

Brilliant, thanks for uploading

[@mikekavalerchik5226]

Snooker was huge in Canada at that time. There was a snooker hall on every block in Toronto

[@jupiter-8405]

Lol! Showing the break score stops you seeing the frame score, I grew up with archaic stuff!

[@ahassen1236]

JV could've had that had it not been for his trademark shout "Ooooh where's the cue ball going"

[@aaronclareyloveshr6918]

What was Thorne shaking his head at right after he shook hands with Virgo?... Was it because Virgo gave him a semi-cold brushoff or was it he was somewhat bemused at how lucky he was to scrape through the match.

[@martintaylor1309]

The latter, but very valid question

[@paulofarrell6498]

I think it was because Willie tried to exchange the usual pleasantries at the end and Virgo basically blanked him and walked off.

[@Noicey777]

Where's the cue ball going?

[@ZEUSDAZ]

4:25 that Blue came back to haunt you a year later against Davis didn't it Willy, should've been more careful the second time round :-/

[@ianwilliamson2980]

Willie was a great potter of long balls .very smooth cue action indeed.

[@oscoe]

Snooker hey day. Glorious years for snooker when the country was snooker mad, the commentators were iconic voices and the players had personality and character and we all had our favourites. Old and young loved the sport. Grandparents would discuss with grandchildren whether Alex Higgins would win another world title, and millions tuned in to the world championship final like it was the FA Cup Final.

[@pyrrhicvictory6978]

Wheres the cueball going 17:30

[@UXB-p5u]

It's bizarre to think now why nobody ever suggested adding a tiny scoreboard in the corner of the screen.

[@MB-zm8lc]

Did Willie ever have hair? Lol. Always enjoyed his commentary on the beeb. RIP.

[@reacey]

Thanks for the upload

[@pinksin103]

JV didn't look too pleased at the end! Great match though and Rest in Peace Willie

[@doctorsocrates4413]

john virgo always looks pised off.

[@christiano8088]

I was wondering who the heck would be commentating if these two were busy playing. Virgo was a grumpy nasty sod on the table. But these two were the best two commentators ever. Knowledgeable funny guys.

[@nickycotton6137]

"Delightful Double" indeed.👍

[@benrichards399]

15:20 John reacts to Higgins snorting a white substance in the coms box...

[@bilkomax]

A shame Alex wasnt in comms at that time of the match

[@jg3752]

😂 Is this Genuine?

[@kitswithkaren5003]

R I P Willie💐

[@smith077906]

Wonder why John Virgo and Willie are not commentating in this game. Any idea? .

[@77turku]

@@bernarddover1442 Your mama so fat she's got more chins than a Hong Kong phone book u clown

[@supermaestro5262]

R.i.p. Mr. Maximum. We won't forget you.

[@ravey1981]

Willie thorn is a joy to watch here, very fluid player. Virgo is awkward and pokey

[@ianwilliamson2980]

I mind a comontator saying there was a bit of needle between these two players . Never found out what it was over though.

[@LerafoLuap]

There definitely was - at least in this match. It’s visible throughout. I don’t know what the reason was.

[@echosun79]

Rip Willie

[@chrisbland6942]

Virgo really threw this match away... after trailing 3-6 and 4-7 to lead 9-8 and then a pretty wild attempt at the black ball double. Surely a safety shot should have been the order of the day.

[@bottlecap57]

Still think he was unlucky to arc in off the black. That would be a tricky shot to repeat.

[@chrisbland6942]

The Snookerist I guess so but that is always likely to happen when putting lots of top spin on. Could he not have put the black on one side cushion and the white on the other?

[@bottlecap57]

@@chrisbland6942 Sure, that would be the norm but he probably thought, to hell with it and went for the double.

[@nickycotton6137]

Yeah, he messed up a fair few unfortunately and his opponent cleared it right up. Not sure if Virgo ever won a title? Judging by his cueing he seemed a fine player 'back in the day'.

[@chrisbland6942]

@@nickycotton6137 Virgo won the UK Championship in 79, beating Griffiths in the final when Griffiths was the world champion. He won 2 or 3 other events around that time as well. I don't think there's any doubt that he had the ability, albeit his temperament was suspect and also he got involved with the administration of the game becoming Chairman of the WPBSA. That must have been a massive distraction to his playing career.

[@davidlane147]

I’ve been a big fan of snooker my whole life (almost made it pro) and have never once seen John Virgo play proper snooker lol

[@inlikearefugee5194]

In today's game, he would probably be a Ding - we would watch him play and nothing happens.

[@nevilletravis586]

virgo was piss poor

[@paulofarrell6498]

@@nevilletravis586”Piss poor” players don’t win the UK Championship

[@parksyist]

Why didn't virgo take green in frame 18

[@nevilletravis586]

cos hes shite

[@stitcha123]

RIP The Great WT

[@johnmc3862]

‘Where’s the cue ball going….!!’ @ 17:28.

[@steviegbcool]

great match!

[@ianwilliamson2980]

I remember a comentetor saying there was bit of needle between these two players .he dident say why though.

[@neilnoble1771]

RIP Willie

[@TheMimetolithman]

GOOD MATCH - ThanKs

[@oldskoolfool141]

I was expecting the shot rate to be a lot slow but pretty similar to todays standards

[@bilkomax]

Thorne was a very fluent player

[@JL.T.]

As long as ebdon is playing the average shot time will always be at a record low.

[@deandoherty9954]

Where's the cue ball going that was hard luck john

[@JonnoD00]

Who was the final Co-comm with Ted Lowe?

[@JonnoD00]

Apparently Ian Anderson

[@chrisbland6942]

Ian Anderson - he was a decent player - Aussie obviously.

[@fegstachops6746]

Old Willie fawwwn is airs All gawwwn

[@snowflake8046]

Rip he was 30 then them days people looked so old for there age lol

[@johndown99]

Thorne was such a stylish player. Shame he never won the World title.

[@ساكتفيبكحلمآفواقعكليسلي-ش3ل]

ممكن اسم الاعب

[@kevinwatts8958]

Wow I don't remember Higgins ever commentating!

[@bg24955]

I realize the older generations have much shorter stroke, 3” back swing. No follow through. I wonder who made the change?

[@shellsbignumber2]

Willie & John look old here and it was 1984

[@bottlecap57]

I remember when Virgo won the UK in the late 70's he reckoned he was going to be the next big force in snooker. How wrong he was..

[@inlikearefugee5194]

Big force in commentary though :(

[@parksyist]

Didn't count on Davis did he

[@mattcorrickmagic771]

in like a refugee whats wrong with his commentary?

[@LerafoLuap]

Did he ever actually make such a prediction?

[@bottlecap57]

@@LerafoLuap There's an old video somewhere on KZbin ( just can't remember the title at the moment) where he as good as said it after he won the UK. His wife definitely said it if that means anything lol

[@alanmctavish4802]

Big tony is or was at least 6'2" to 6'3" easy. When he stood next to steve davis who said he was 6'3" in his autobiography, tony was exactly the same height as steve. But i have never saw steve davis as 6'3" guy. Hes even said he was 6'2" as well? I always thought and saw him as a 6'1" guy at most.

[@englishman1960]

Virgo was an absolute prat as a player and an even bigger one as a commentator

[@marcchandley6680]

Terry Egan he’s the best commentator, most entertaining at least, and he did win a uk championship so hardly a prat as a player

[@hughmungus1235]

@James Mason Where's the sense of humour gone?

[@hughmungus1235]

@James Mason WHERE'S THE CUE BALL GONE

[@nevilletravis586]

@@marcchandley6680 whatever happened to patsy fagin

[@ianwilliamson2980]

Don't know how john missed that last red .mabey a bad kick or someone put him off as he wasent happy .it was a very easy pot .

[@PeterMc141]

John Virgo is 78 now. He would of only been 38 on here.

[@captainhindsight8604]

When there’s no pressure Thorne never misses?

[@Kill--alllll---IDF]

Cos he was Thorne to kill that's why 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🙊😆

[@stephentrudgeon2646]

John virgo had a face like thunder!⚡⚡RIP WT

[@alanmctavish4802]

Tavy@ john virgo is a great player and comedian lol i couldnt believe it when his height came up at 6'2" 1/2, i just saw a picture of him with tony knowles and alex higgins and jimmy white and tony knowles is 6'2" but tony was at least 4 inches taller than john virgo. And tony isnt 6'6" lol very strange. And tony had to bend his kneck and body down next to john so he didnt look as big.

[@charliemagri1669]

They could've both commentated on each other's shots.

[@benrichards399]

This was back when Willie had a lot more hair.

[@adamglasgow9268]

Neck hair doesn't count

[@opencurtin]

He preferred his balls shaved too in case of kicks ..

[@douglas3286]

Jesus did someone attach buckets to the end of the table lol

[@knuckleheadufc9296]

RIP

[@kendignam6892]

Good game that

[@Eat-MyGoal]

Thorne strikes and times the ball like modern players do...

[@bilkomax]

2 expert bottlers

[@johnwedgbury6817]

but still better than you. if you'd ever been even in 1 first round match at the worlds, you'd still be shouting about it now.

[@bilkomax]

@@johnwedgbury6817 when you listen to how harsh they are in commentary you'd think they were serial winners

[@paulkehoe67]

i just said to myself, last red, match ball watch willie fuk it up, he did!

[@Charlie_Crown]

Unfortunately the story of his career, he had all the talent to win the big tournaments but lacked that killer instinct at the business end. RIP Willie, a great character, sorely missed

[@badboy-fj8ly]

come on God bless him he wasnt the best to watch was he.

[@LerafoLuap]

Who, Willie? In his prime he was very good to watch. Quick, smooth fluent style, very good break builder etc.

[@HRHooChicken]

Two of snooker's biggest underachievers

[@spleeeen4it]

Two of the great characters, when snooker was full of them Today we have Ronnie carrying the game, when he goes the BBC will lose interest and snooker will be dead. Who the he'll wants to watch bores like Selby.

[@bernarddover1442]

selby would make an ONION cry

[@combat246]

Selby is Mr AntiSnooker.

[@cocainecarl7814]

I only saw Virgo play once where he played Alex at his home or something. Did not think he also played professionally. Thorne is just so much better.

[@chrisbland6942]

Illegal Kebab Virgo won the UK Championship (beating World Champion Terry Griffiths 14-13) and followed up with the Bombay Classic (beating Thorburn 13-7, who would go on to win the next World Championship) - he then got more involved in the administrative side of snooker as Chairman of the WPBSA and rather lost his focus. Great touch player on his day. Thorne, on the other hand, won his solitary ranking event in 1986, the Mercantile Credit Classic but goes down as one of the all time underachievers. He was a great break builder by 1980’s standards but just didn’t have the temperament to be a regular winner. Nevertheless they were both, and still are, two of the great characters of the game.

[@vmax4steve524]

@@chrisbland6942 Virgo was docked a few frames in that UK final with Griffiths for turning up late and still won it. Thorne was a fabulous break builder but didn't have a good long game or safety game to get in often enough. Made over two hundred maximums, mostly on his own table in his club in Leicester, Gary Lineker on the receiving end of a few of them I've heard.

[@chrisbland6942]

Vmax4steve I’ve read quite a bit on the ‘79 UK Final and it’s likely the 2 frame penalty affected Griffiths’ concentration more than Virgo’s. Terry protested to the organisers against it and offered to share the prize money with John 50:50. Willie wasn’t actually bad under pressure - he could keep a cool head in say, a deciding frame situation but it was the little things that got to him... The “huff and puff” incident with Andy Hicks at the Crucible, when referee John Williams called a re-rack despite Willie being 50 ahead, being a prime example. He just seemed to lack the killer instinct when it came to winning tournaments.

[@vmax4steve524]

@@chrisbland6942 Poor old Willie has just been diagnosed with leukemia, never did get the run of the balls, fabulous player around the black spot, loved watching him play and liked his commentary as well.

[@harrycallahan3391]

Alex Higgins in the running for worst commentator of the year accolade, Lmfao.. 😂😂😂

[@gerryryan]

Willie was only 25 here and Virgo was 52

[@mickykedian7753]

Willie was born in 1954 so he was 30, I think JV was 6 years older.

[@jimmymalone9139]

PAIR OF THEM USELESS

[@jackoherts]

pathetic shot on the black by Virgo

[@jeromekwasniowski8293]

🦊

[@iainmackenzie3704]

Punditry of the lowest order!