Fred Davis (cue sports)
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| Fred Davis | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 13, 1913, Whittington Moor, Chesterfield England |
| Died | April 16, 1998 (aged 84), Derbyshire, England |
| Nationality |  England |
| Professional | 1929–1992 |
| Highest ranking | 4 |
| Tournament wins | |
| Major | 10 |
| World Champion | 1948, 1949, 1951 |
Fred Davis, MBE (born August 13, 1913 in Whittington Moor, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England; died April 16, 1998) was an English professional player of snooker and English billiards, and was one of the most popular[citation needed] personalities in the game.
Davis was originally a billiards player, turning professional in 1929. His first professional snooker match was in 1937.
He was the younger brother (by twelve years) of Joe Davis, who dominated snooker from 1927 to 1946 (but is no relation to player Steve Davis). Joe retired from the World Snooker Championship after his 1946 victory, leaving the way open for Fred to win three times, in 1948, 1949 and 1951. The only time they met in the World Championship final was in 1940, when Joe beat Fred 37-36. Following a disagreement between some of the players and the governing body Davis played in an alternative tournament — the World Matchplay — which he won on five consecutive occasions, 1952–1956. Davis retired in 1957 leaving the path clear for his rival John Pulman. When the official World Championship was resumed in 1964 on a challenge basis, Davis came out of retirement but had lost his edge and was defeated on each occasion by John Pulman, in 1964, 1965 and 1966.
World rankings were introduced in 1976. Davis's abilities had peaked long before this, but he was still ranked number 4 that season.
He was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1977.
He reached the semi-finals of the Embassy World Championship in 1978 at the age of 64.
He won the World Billiards Championship in 1980 and 1981 (though the latter was actually held in November 1980).
Davis played professionally well into old age, making his last appearance in the Crucible in 1984 aged 70 and only retiring in 1992, aged 79.
[edit] Tournament wins
- World Snooker Championship 1948, 1949, 1951
- World Matchplay 1952–1956
- News of the World Championship (snooker) 1958, 1959
- World Billiards Championship 1980, 1981
[edit] References
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