RIP Terry Griffiths

Former snooker world champion Terry Griffiths has died aged 77.

My heart is utterly broken at this really terrible news.
Snooker has lost one of it's true heroes, one of it's most engaging characters, one of it's finest ambassadors and a revered coach.
Griffiths was the first ever qualifier to win the World Championship with a sensational 24-16 triumph over Dennis Taylor in 1979.
With a Masters crown in 1980 and a UK championship in 1982 he completed the triple crown set. He also won Pot Black in 1984 and reached another World final in 1988 losing 18-11 to Steve Davis.

He had a wonderful sense of humour both at the table and away from it.
He was part of the Barry Hearn Matchroom Mob that had the hit single Snooker Loopy reaching number 6 in the charts.

Terry Griffiths OBE died peacefully surrounded by his family in his home town of Llanelli after a long struggle with dementia.

He was a true giant of the sport I love so much and he will be sorely missed.
Bless you Terry .

R.I.P.

He was incredible in that 1979 Championship and created that special piece of history of being the first ever qualifier to win the title which was some feat.

Came across as a blokes bloke type and showed genuine sportsmanship

Snoooker has lost a true giant of the game

R I P Terry

RIP

RIP Terry Griffiths. Although I'd been watching Pot Black since 1969, 1979 was the first World Championship that I followed from the early stages and didn't just watch the final. I found myself getting behind Terry to come back and beat Dennis Taylor, and I cheered him on as he won all but one frame in the final session to take the title.

He came close to winning the World Title a few more times, and I supported him to do it, but he didn't quite manage it. But I was absolutely delighted when he beat Alex Higgins 16-15 in a thriller to take the 1982 UK Championship!

Even though Terry was unlucky not to win more tournaments than he actually did, he won enough (edit) to go down in the snooker hall of fame and become a true legend fo the sport!

One of my favourite Terry Griffiths memories was after the World Final of 1988 where Steve Davis got the trophy but Terry had the entire world, or at least the set reconstruction of it

I think it actually broke off I can't remember how it happened but think it was when Terry leaned on it during a interview

A legend in the sport. RIP

So sad, to lose 2 of the games greats in the same year. I'm sure that Dracula has already got the balls racked up ready for a few frames with Griff.
Not only a class player but a first class human, a gentleman with super sense of humour

RIP

A great age, a fine ambassador for the sport, and also one of the greatest coaches too. RIP