Who was this referee?

[Bruce]

Back in the 1980s, I recall that there was a small storm-in-a-teacup when a referee on the panel for the world championship was one of those to be dispensed with when they reached the latter stages of the tournament. This fellow was so aggrieved at being dumped (as he saw it) that he got himself a TV interview by David Vine to air his discontent, although he was totally unable to say why he should have been retained beyond the obvious fact that he was a snooker referee!

It was standard practice that some of the referees on the panel were not used in the latter stages, so he had no cause for complaint and the whole affair was slightly bizarre - and soon forgotten. Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone could recall the man's name and whether he ever refereed in professional snooker again after that episode.

[stuartfanning]

I don't remember this. In those days John Williams and Len Ganley always got the finals of the World Championship didn't they. Rather like now when it's shared between Jan Verhaas and Eirian Williams.

[Cyril]

Can't say I remember this. As a matter of interest, here are the World final referee's. Be hard to fill in the missing ones now, I feel! I'm pretty sure all those held at Thurston's in the 30's would have been done by the great Charlie Chambers.

Can't help but think that Alan Chamberlain deserves to have done more than one final, for he's been ever present at the Crucible for well over 20-years. Since 1985-ish, at a guess.

World final referee’s: -
1927 Bill Camkin
1928
1929
1930
1931
1932
1933
1934
1935
1936
1937
1938
1939
1940 Charlie Chambers
1946
1947
1948
1949
1950
1951
1952 (BACC)
1952 (PPA)
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
(Challenges)
1964
1964
1965
1965
1965
1966
1968
1969
1970 (Apr)
1970 (Nov)
1972
1973 Bill Timms
1974 Bill Timms
1976 Bill Timms (replaced by John Williams)
1977 John Smyth
1978 John Williams
1979 John Williams
1980 John Street
1981 John Williams
1982 John Smyth
1983 Len Ganley
1984 Jim Thorpe
1985 John Williams
1986 John Street
1987 Len Ganley
1988 John Williams
1989 John Street
1990 Len Ganley
1991 John Williams
1992 John Street
1993 Len Ganley
1994 John Williams
1995 John Street
1996 John Williams
1997 Alan Chamberlain
1998 Lawrie Annandale
1999 Colin Brinded
2000 John Newton
2001 Eirian Williams
2002 John Williams
2003 Jan Verhaas
2004 Paul Collier
2005 Eirian Williams
2006 Jan Verhaas
2007 Eirian Williams
2008 Jan Verhaas

[stuartfanning]

Interesting that Alan Chamberlain did 1997 but has never been given the final since.

[Cyril]

Interesting that Alan Chamberlain did 1997 but has never been given the final since.

Age discrimination mate!

[Semih_Sayginer]

id like to see Paul do another. (he was visiting the crucible last week)

[stuartfanning]

id like to see Paul do another. (he was visiting the crucible last week)

Paul Collier resigned as a World Snooker referee some time ago.

As to Alan Chamberlain. Maybe he should go to Hazel Irving and ask to be interviewed about him being passed over all these years!

[Semih_Sayginer]

Paul Collier resigned as a World Snooker referee some time ago.

i am aware hes not refereeing WS matches, but id like to see him back and refereeing another WCF

[Cyril]

They should have an old "Referee's Parade", like they do for the former winners. lol

"Lets here it for Len Ganley, John Williams, John Street, John Newton..."

[stuartfanning]

i am aware hes not refereeing WS matches, but id like to see him back and refereeing another WCF

Paul continues to referee the PartyBets.com Premiere League Snooker on Sky Sports.

[Semih_Sayginer]

Paul continues to referee the PartyBets.com Premiere League Snooker on Sky Sports.

i know that too

the point i was making was that id like Paul to have another WSF under his belt....

[spike]

John Street was one of my favourite referee's from the past! Apart from being a quality ref i always found him to be very approachable and friendly.

[stuartfanning]

Is it true that only Verhaas and Williams are employed as full-time refs by World Snooker? If so presumeably all the others have had to get other jobs

[Bruce]

So when will Michaela get a World final? Could it be this year? Everyone seems to rate her as one of the best referees around (quite apart from being the best looking one).

[Alex0paul]

So when will Michaela get a World final? Could it be this year? Everyone seems to rate her as one of the best referees around (quite apart from being the best looking one).

Verhaas is doing this year but I reckon she will do it next year as Williams did it last year.