Man, it is like I'm watching a different game due to the atmosphere. No scoreboard, referee screaming the score, such a low voice of commentators. 46 years old. Damn.
I was watching some old interviews by Steve Davis with John Spencer and Ray Reardon last night. Great insights. Heard on the news that Ray Reardon passed away today. No doubt they'll be resuming there rivalry in snooker heaven already. RIP
Somewhere you can read the statistics of how often these two players met in their professional careers. It was an amazing number of times. In the end Spencer I think was ahead on numbers of frames won, but Reardon won more matches. Say what you like about the modern game, these men were giants, and, importantly, entertainers. It was a pleasure to watch them.
It's crazy to think of the speed difference today on a modern heated table. These old tables are slow, but I enjoy snooker from 70s. Shows how good the likes of Higgins and the likes of cliff wilson were for moving around the cue ball on these tables.
Those playing conditions were awful back then. Non heated tables, heavier balls, a much denser cloth meaning that hitting balls across or against the "nap" was very difficult. Interesting to hear the referee having to shout the score as there was no PA system either...lol These two were the two men most responsible for bringing snooker back from the dead. In the mid 60's snooker was all but dead until these guys turned professional. Giants of their era. Reardon went on to dominate the 70's as Davies did the 80's and Hendry did the 90's. One other positive was that these guys always played with a smile on their faces, true entertainers and not the more robotic guys we see so much of today!
This time the "where's the cue ball going" has some serious weight to it. These announcers were in a completely different league to some of today's selection.
No horrid waistcoats with adverts plastered all over them, quieter more civilised audience. They don't come down to lary pop songs. I preferred the 70s
@@201081hero correct, thanks! And I discovered that it was "widely regarded by table fitters as the worst designed table and one of the most time consuming to work on." 🤣 Still from an esthetic point of view I like it.
With a slower cloth the percentages shift to the safety shot because a difference in speed of shot carries less distance. I would love the mathematics of this game to be grasped by the current commentators, alas it isn't.
Was everyone deaf in 1975.....the referee shouting. The Russians were on the moon when this match was played they said the could hear the referee shouting.
Although I agree that the average skill had increased dramatically the technology of the time was also a limit on the quality of play aswell. The balls were heavier and you can hear the tips on the cue sound very hard. Which is why you don't see so many impressive screwshots or advanced positional shots from vintage matches.
@@electriclightlynnetrex6346 The best in the world at the time, doesn't mean they couldn't up their game to the standard of today with all the millions to be made.
I really don't think so. Ok cloth and balls were worse back then, but the heavy scoring of the modern game would be unbearable for them, they would be annihilated. Just think of the comments of the "classic" players about Hendry when he appeared in the game: they were shocked by his long-potting, attacking game and scoring. They didn't know what to do against him, it was something they didn't witness before. But I think it's completely normal, it's like that in every sport: better technique, better (and more) practice, better psychologic approach... Everything progresses.
@@AngrierGorilla Rubbish. Spencer, Reardon and Higgjns all scored just as heavily but with poorer tables. They all made countless century breaks in exhibitions, which was the way back then - and countless maximum breaks too. They had greater ability with the cue ball and all round mastery of all shots many of which today's players can't even think about playing. Reardon, Spencer and Higgins would all have beaten today's players if they were born into today's game as they were quite frankly more talented - especially Higgins who's long game was as good as any of today's players.
@@markdrinkwater1508 anyway at the end these are just our opinions, nothing more nothing less. So my opinions are as rubbish as yours. However I must add that Steve Davis has my exact same point of view, stating several times that today players are much better than 70's or 80's players. And maybe Steve knows a thing or two about snooker. Maybe eh...
@@AngrierGorilla Davis wasn't referring to world champions of the past. The game was totally different in the 70s, you'd need to hit the pack half a dozen times to spread the reds, now just one strike is enough. The game was played differently, it doesn't mean the talent wasn't there, tactically Reardon and Higgins are as good as any modern player - Davis said of Higgins that his safety game was the best he'd ever seen, he also said that Higgjns was the only true genius he'd ever seen on a snooker table - he literally could do more with the cue ball than any of today's players - regardless of consistency and big breaks. Even on the old cloths with heavy backs Spencer and Higgjns' long distance screw backs were unmatched by any of today's players apart from Trump. Even players who weren't world champions - like Perrie Manns and Cliff Wilson - had better long pots than today's players, those two were the best long ball potters of all time. There was no structure for players like Reardon, he didn't turn pro until he was 35 - they had jobs and played when they could, he was a plliceman, imagine if he'd solely concentrated on snooker from a boy. Same with Higgjns, he didn't even want to be a pro snooker player, he wanted to be a jockey but grew a little too big. He didn't have access to endless hours practice as a boy, he grabbed a game here and there when he could and had a natural gift, no coaching, just raw talent, then he got to play more by playing for money, then he was making maximum breaks by 16 with very little table time compared to today's young players who get 8 hours practice every day and all the coaching and support. Stop trying to compare eras in sport - fact is the greats of the past - if born into today's professional snooker -with all the management structure from a young age that today's players have - would have been just as formidable opponents and in Reardon and Higgjns' case they would have beaten any of today's players on their day and won tournaments.
@@markdrinkwater1508 in fact I wouldn't compare sport eras, it's just a stupid exercise. I only reply when someone try to do these pointless comparisons. It's plain to see that every standard in sports progresses, simply because now they practice better. And it's not old players fault, it's just the way it is.
It's not that wise to judge these two legends of the game on a the closing moments of a final frame in a time when the tables weren't as standardised as they are now. It was a different game back then.
Happy Christmas To Y'All 🎄🎅 .. Unless U Support Trump That Is ! 🤫 Seriously That Guy Is So SOOO Overrated Ha!!! Enjoyed The Xmas Dinner Ha!!! I'm Sure The New Year Wil Bring Endless Trophy For Greatest Player Ever Ronnie O Sullivan Ha!!! 😉😅
![The First World Championship 147 [1983] | Cliff Thorburn vs Terry Griffiths](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/rrKk3dRfevg/mqdefault.jpg)
![The First World Championship 147 [1983] | Cliff Thorburn vs Terry Griffiths](/img/tr.png)
Man, it is like I'm watching a different game due to the atmosphere. No scoreboard, referee screaming the score, such a low voice of commentators. 46 years old. Damn.
The ref screeming shook me for once😅
Practcailly a fledgling sport.
Yeah no stupid American wrestling style intros with music🤮
And when the balls are potted it sounds like they’re playing on a pool table…
How bout the chronic coughing from all the smokers back in the 70's
I was watching some old interviews by Steve Davis with John Spencer and Ray Reardon last night. Great insights. Heard on the news that Ray Reardon passed away today. No doubt they'll be resuming there rivalry in snooker heaven already. RIP
Nice clip to give us insights into that era
Somewhere you can read the statistics of how often these two players met in their professional careers. It was an amazing number of times. In the end Spencer I think was ahead on numbers of frames won, but Reardon won more matches. Say what you like about the modern game, these men were giants, and, importantly, entertainers. It was a pleasure to watch them.
It's crazy to think of the speed difference today on a modern heated table. These old tables are slow, but I enjoy snooker from 70s. Shows how good the likes of Higgins and the likes of cliff wilson were for moving around the cue ball on these tables.
After watching this....More RESPECT for this Game !!!
3:00 Such an iconic line from Ted Lowe. So Iconic that John Virgo nicked it! 😆
That's what I thought. Virgo: "wherezawhite goin? Wherezawhite goin?!" 😂
Ted Lowe, the man, the master, the legend.
Those playing conditions were awful back then. Non heated tables, heavier balls, a much denser cloth meaning that hitting balls across or against the "nap" was very difficult. Interesting to hear the referee having to shout the score as there was no PA system either...lol These two were the two men most responsible for bringing snooker back from the dead. In the mid 60's snooker was all but dead until these guys turned professional. Giants of their era. Reardon went on to dominate the 70's as Davies did the 80's and Hendry did the 90's. One other positive was that these guys always played with a smile on their faces, true entertainers and not the more robotic guys we see so much of today!
One thing I find fascinating is there is WAY more coughing in the audience because there we're more smokers at that time
Also asbestos and smog
Where's the cue ball going! I knew Virgo nicked that :)
Ray Reardon the type of guy to become a vampire to get better at snooker.
:::::cringe:::::🥴
Well, he was nicknamed Dracula.
Spencer's sideburns were something else here... lol
Any thicker & longer he'd find himself snookered.
racist
Two great tactical players and potters too.
This time the "where's the cue ball going" has some serious weight to it. These announcers were in a completely different league to some of today's selection.
Much...MUCH happier times.
No horrid waistcoats with adverts plastered all over them, quieter more civilised audience. They don't come down to lary pop songs. I preferred the 70s
you hit the nail on the head my friend
The increase in the quality of play from 1975 to 2001 is amazing.
To be fiat this was a one off and the general standard of play in 1975 was high. After all Ray Reardon got his world No1 ranking back in 1983.
Yes. I remember them as better than this...
So is the decrease of value to our money!!!
Not really .just better balls now.these players were great all round.
The balls back then weighed a lot more bigger aswell .
The Referee barking the scores was hilarious !
The commentator’s voice is just like the commentator of faces of death.
The referee shouting like an Tennis Umpire hahahaahahahaha
I was sure as the two players chatted after the final black went in that their sideburns were going to attack each other.
I need a time machine
I read John Spencer’s book
I wish the ref eas louder, can hardly hear him.😅
I thought Spencer was needing snookers after missing that yellow... Even Ali Carter would've won a title in those days 😉
This is proper. Snooker and top players not like that crap what's out now
Judge screaming ?
that table had a unique and beautiful (imho) design
A Riley Starline I think
@@201081hero correct, thanks!
And I discovered that it was "widely regarded by table fitters as the worst designed table and one of the most time consuming to work on." 🤣
Still from an esthetic point of view I like it.
A wonder how the modern day player would do on these tables eh not too good I suspect
The Alpha male of the 70's here but both love to stand with their hands on the hip! lol.
See them chatting and joking .don't see much of that today by likes of Judd trump almost cry's if he loses.
With a slower cloth the percentages shift to the safety shot because a difference in speed of shot carries less distance. I would love the mathematics of this game to be grasped by the current commentators, alas it isn't.
“For those of you watching in black and white, the pink is next to the green.”
Can u play the 1994 international open final , John parrot and James watt Anna can 1994 quarter final Steve David vs James wattana
Was covid-19 around in them days too? (cough)
😷😷😷😷😷😷..... Yes, actually COVID was there in cats.... Look it up for more info.
Yes...but they had a thing called an immune system
John " it's money for old rope" Spencer ! Make of that what you will !!
The miss rule has been a very good idea. Thst miss on the snookered yellow, no penalty for a half effort!
Also, very risk averse snooker in 70's.
The table is so slow no wonder they hardly did centuries back then
The referee sounded like he was calling the scores to someone on the other side of a mountain.
Those pockets look like buckets
Was everyone deaf in 1975.....the referee shouting. The Russians were on the moon when this match was played they said the could hear the referee shouting.
No microphones
6:18 a line that carries a much different interpretation today! 😑
Anyone know who the commentator was ?
@@thomasharlos6872 Ted Lowe.
Balls look like bowling balls back then 😂😂😂😂
These guys wouldnt make top 200 today. The skill has moved on so much.
Love the way the ref shouts the odds, no mic! Old skool cool.
Top 200...make that the top 2000
Although I agree that the average skill had increased dramatically the technology of the time was also a limit on the quality of play aswell. The balls were heavier and you can hear the tips on the cue sound very hard. Which is why you don't see so many impressive screwshots or advanced positional shots from vintage matches.
@@electriclightlynnetrex6346 The best in the world at the time, doesn't mean they couldn't up their game to the standard of today with all the millions to be made.
Rubbish, they were better than today's players, all round players. They'd easily compete with today's greats.
They were top players in their day and they would be able to crank up their game. They would easily be regular tournament winners today.
2 000 pounds?! He did not get rich...😉
It's not a huge amount compared to today's prize money, but it's the equivalent of about 17,500 pounds in 2021. Still a year's wages in most jobs.
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire would have been a mightmare in 1975.
Reardon, Higgins and Spencer would easily compete with today's players.
I really don't think so. Ok cloth and balls were worse back then, but the heavy scoring of the modern game would be unbearable for them, they would be annihilated.
Just think of the comments of the "classic" players about Hendry when he appeared in the game: they were shocked by his long-potting, attacking game and scoring. They didn't know what to do against him, it was something they didn't witness before.
But I think it's completely normal, it's like that in every sport: better technique, better (and more) practice, better psychologic approach... Everything progresses.
@@AngrierGorilla Rubbish. Spencer, Reardon and Higgjns all scored just as heavily but with poorer tables. They all made countless century breaks in exhibitions, which was the way back then - and countless maximum breaks too. They had greater ability with the cue ball and all round mastery of all shots many of which today's players can't even think about playing. Reardon, Spencer and Higgins would all have beaten today's players if they were born into today's game as they were quite frankly more talented - especially Higgins who's long game was as good as any of today's players.
@@markdrinkwater1508 anyway at the end these are just our opinions, nothing more nothing less. So my opinions are as rubbish as yours.
However I must add that Steve Davis has my exact same point of view, stating several times that today players are much better than 70's or 80's players.
And maybe Steve knows a thing or two about snooker. Maybe eh...
@@AngrierGorilla Davis wasn't referring to world champions of the past. The game was totally different in the 70s, you'd need to hit the pack half a dozen times to spread the reds, now just one strike is enough. The game was played differently, it doesn't mean the talent wasn't there, tactically Reardon and Higgins are as good as any modern player - Davis said of Higgins that his safety game was the best he'd ever seen, he also said that Higgjns was the only true genius he'd ever seen on a snooker table - he literally could do more with the cue ball than any of today's players - regardless of consistency and big breaks. Even on the old cloths with heavy backs Spencer and Higgjns' long distance screw backs were unmatched by any of today's players apart from Trump. Even players who weren't world champions - like Perrie Manns and Cliff Wilson - had better long pots than today's players, those two were the best long ball potters of all time.
There was no structure for players like Reardon, he didn't turn pro until he was 35 - they had jobs and played when they could, he was a plliceman, imagine if he'd solely concentrated on snooker from a boy. Same with Higgjns, he didn't even want to be a pro snooker player, he wanted to be a jockey but grew a little too big. He didn't have access to endless hours practice as a boy, he grabbed a game here and there when he could and had a natural gift, no coaching, just raw talent, then he got to play more by playing for money, then he was making maximum breaks by 16 with very little table time compared to today's young players who get 8 hours practice every day and all the coaching and support.
Stop trying to compare eras in sport - fact is the greats of the past - if born into today's professional snooker -with all the management structure from a young age that today's players have - would have been just as formidable opponents and in Reardon and Higgjns' case they would have beaten any of today's players on their day and won tournaments.
@@markdrinkwater1508 in fact I wouldn't compare sport eras, it's just a stupid exercise. I only reply when someone try to do these pointless comparisons.
It's plain to see that every standard in sports progresses, simply because now they practice better. And it's not old players fault, it's just the way it is.
Omicron permitting Ally Pally will go from darts to snooker for the Masters. This is very ancient
Spencer simply had the greater muttonchops.
And combover.
What is the name of Commentator ?
Ted Lowe
Whispering Ted was his nickname
@@electriclightlynnetrex6346 he was a Lowe talker
Both players now dead. Though Reardon does arise most nights when the urge for blood becomes overwhelming 😈
Ray Reardon is still alive. He’s 89 years old.
A lot of coughing in the audience. But I guess 90% of population smoked 50 a day back then 😂
Sponsored by a tobacco firm, spot the irony.
Money for old rope ???
Look at the poor cloths.
£200 hahah,,,, rip ray
No offense but at their best these two wouldn't make the top 50 today
total idiotic comment.
@@iancarpenter6298 he is right though , probably not even in the 100
It's not that wise to judge these two legends of the game on a the closing moments of a final frame in a time when the tables weren't as standardised as they are now. It was a different game back then.
@@iancarpenter6298 I wouldn't say total idiotic comment. I've watch alot of 70s snooker.
@Wayne Anthony Holmes true. Different era different balls and cloths
The long WAIT continues for the bottler,and most consistent loser at tc tournaments to win a 4th tc title Haha!!!!
Hope you’re enjoying your Christmas apple sauce!
@Wayne Anthony Holmes Ha!!!
Happy Christmas To Y'All 🎄🎅
.. Unless U Support Trump That Is ! 🤫
Seriously That Guy Is So SOOO Overrated Ha!!!
Enjoyed The Xmas Dinner Ha!!!
I'm Sure The New Year Wil Bring Endless Trophy For Greatest Player Ever Ronnie O Sullivan Ha!!! 😉😅