THORBURN I’VE HAD A WORLD TITLE , GUNTHREAT AND FIGHTS... AND NOW I’M FINALLY READY TO PACK AWAY MY CUE
‘Grinder’ Cliff on highs and lows before last tournament
SNOOKER’S original ‘Grinder’, Cliff Thorburn, admits he is finally ready to pack away his cue.
Thorburn, 73, enjoyed huge success on the green baize in the 1980s, winning a total of 20 titles including the ‘SAS’ World Championship final.
And the moustachioed Canadian, one of the most recognised faces in the game, also knocked in the first 147 maximum break at the Crucible.
But Thorburn, known for his gritty safety play, is also the man who laid out bitter rival Alex Higgins with a right-hander – before kicking him in the b***s.
And even before a 23-year pro snooker career, the young Thorburn survived life-threatening experiences travelling about North America, hustling in pool halls.
After leaving school at 16, Thorburn staked himself in money games by working as a bin-man and dishwasher – before heading to California.
And ahead of a UK Seniors Championship match against Kuldesh Johal in Hull today, which may well be his last, he recalled: “There were certainly some moments as a teenager.
“I played in Oakland where I was winning and the backer of the other guy opened up his jacket and showed a gun.
“He said, ‘Ain’t nobody leaves here with my player’s money’. My friends told me to lose all the money we had won, which I wasn’t happy about.
“But eventually I saw we had to lose at least some of it – or get robbed. I didn’t play in the States much after that.” Snooker drew Thorburn to the UK, where he turned pro in 1973. However, any thoughts of a quieter life disappeared in close proximity to the brilliant, but combustible Higgins.
A clash of personalities and styles ensured a bitter rivalry on the table and physical confrontations off it. Things came to a head in the 1980 World Championship final, with Thorburn winning his only world title at the Crucible with an 18-16 victory. TV coverage of the showpiece was interrupted to provide pictures of the storming of the Iranian Embassy in London after a six-day siege.
Two-time world champion
Higgins also had a celebratory cake wheeled to his dressing room at 16-16 – and a gloating Thorburn later planted his face in it.
Thorburn said: “Alex was a heck of player, but he knew what he could get away with and aggravation just seemed to follow him around.
“In many ways, he was my toughest opponent – I lost too many close matches to him.”
Another Crucible highlight for Thorburn came in 1983 in his second-round match against Terry Griffiths, which saw him make the first-ever maximum 147 break at the iconic theatre.
And there are no doubts over his biggest career regret – picking up a £10,000 fine and a two tournament ban after failing a drugs test.
Thorburn said: “People forget that I was world No.1.
“But they sure remember the scandal – and I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.”
But Thorburn still defends his trademark gritty and determined style as he contemplates his retirement.
He said: “The flash shots and pots are great, but you need something to fall back on.
“This will be my last tournament. I have loved doing the Seniors and the Legends and I am proud my name is still out there.”
Higgins was a heck of a player, my toughest opponent – I lost too many close matches to him