| Born | 2 May 1961 Cannock, Staffordshire |
|---|---|
| Sport country |  England |
| Professional | 1986–2002, 2004–2006 |
| Highest ranking | 7 (1991/1992) |
| Tournament wins | |
| Ranking | 1 |
Stephen James (born 2 May 1961 in Cannock) [1] [2] is an English retired professional snooker player.
James became a professional snooker player in 1986 based on his results in the Professional Ticket Tournaments in 1985. [2] A former postman, the high point of his career was his sole ranking title – the Classic in 1990, beating Australian Warren King 10–6 in the final. His world ranking peaked at number seven the following season, the best of his five seasons in the top sixteen. [3]
On 14 April 1990, in his match against Alex Higgins at the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield, James became the first player to produce a 16-red total clearance in competitive play. In other words, he potted 16 reds and 16 colours consecutively, followed by all the coloured balls in order: a situation that was only possible because he was awarded a free ball before any red had been potted. [4]
A year later he reached the semi-finals of the World Snooker Championship, beating defending champion Stephen Hendry in the quarter-finals. [5] He was defeated in the semi-final by Jimmy White. [5]
James became wealthy through snooker, but was banned from driving in 1996, [6] and in 1998 declared himself bankrupt after spending £700,000 on "fast living", even having to sell his practice table. [7] His financial problems saw him turn to drinking heavily. [3] A diabetic, James missed the British Open in 2004 due to a kidney infection. [8]
| Tournament | 1986/ 87 | 1987/ 88 | 1988/ 89 | 1989/ 90 | 1990/ 91 | 1991/ 92 | 1992/ 93 | 1993/ 94 | 1994/ 95 | 1995/ 96 | 1996/ 97 | 1997/ 98 | 1998/ 99 | 1999/ 00 | 2000/ 01 | 2001/ 02 | 2002/ 03 | 2003/ 04 | 2004/ 05 | 2005/ 06 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking [9] [nb 1] | [nb 2] | 66 | 32 | 16 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 17 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 37 | 44 | 64 | 62 | [nb 3] | [nb 3] | [nb 2] | 85 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ranking tournaments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grand Prix [nb 4] | LQ | 1R | 2R | 1R | SF | 3R | 3R | 3R | 1R | SF | 2R | 1R | 1R | 1R | LQ | LQ | A | A | LQ | LQ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| UK Championship | LQ | LQ | 2R | 1R | 2R | QF | 3R | 2R | 1R | 1R | 1R | 1R | 2R | 1R | LQ | LQ | A | A | LQ | LQ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Malta Cup [nb 5] | Not Held | 1R | SF | 3R | 2R | 3R | 1R | 1R | 2R | LQ | NH | LQ | Not Held | LQ | A | A | LQ | A | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Welsh Open | Tournament Not Held | QF | 2R | 3R | 1R | 1R | 2R | 2R | LQ | LQ | LQ | LQ | A | A | 1R | WD | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| China Open [nb 6] | Tournament Not Held | NR | LQ | LQ | LQ | LQ | Not Held | LQ | WD | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| World Championship | LQ | QF | 1R | 2R | SF | 1R | 2R | 2R | LQ | 1R | LQ | LQ | 1R | LQ | LQ | LQ | LQ | LQ | LQ | A | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-ranking tournaments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pot Black | Tournament Not Held | 1R | 1R | SF | Tournament Not Held | A | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Masters | A | A | A | 1R | QF | 1R | QF | QF | LQ | LQ | LQ | LQ | LQ | LQ | LQ | A | A | LQ | A | A | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Former ranking tournaments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Canadian Masters | NR | 2R | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hong Kong Open [nb 7] | NR | NH | 2R | Tournament Not Held | NR | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classic | LQ | 1R | 2R | W | 1R | 2R | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Strachan Open | Tournament Not Held | 2R | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dubai Classic [nb 8] | Not Held | NR | 3R | 2R | SF | 1R | 1R | LQ | LQ | 1R | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| German Masters [nb 9] | Tournament Not Held | 1R | LQ | 2R | NR | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Malta Grand Prix | Tournament Not Held | Non-Ranking Event | LQ | NR | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Thailand Masters [nb 10] | NR | Not Held | 2R | 1R | 1R | 1R | 1R | LQ | 1R | LQ | 1R | LQ | LQ | LQ | LQ | NR | Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Scottish Open [nb 11] | LQ | 3R | SF | 3R | Not Held | 3R | 3R | 1R | 1R | 2R | 1R | 1R | 2R | 1R | LQ | A | A | Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| British Open | 2R | 2R | 1R | SF | 1R | 2R | 1R | 2R | 2R | 2R | 2R | 1R | LQ | LQ | 1R | LQ | A | A | WD | NH | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Irish Masters | Non-Ranking Event | A | A | LQ | NH | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Former non-ranking tournaments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| English Professional Championship | 2R | LQ | 1R | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shoot-Out | Tournament Not Held | 1R | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| World Masters | Tournament Not Held | 1R | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| European Challenge | Tournament Not Held | QF | A | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Thailand Masters | A | Not Held | Ranking | QF | Ranking Event | NR | Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hong Kong Challenge | A | A | A | NH | QF | QF | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Indian Challenge | Tournament Not Held | QF | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Scottish Masters | A | A | NH | A | SF | SF | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Belgian Masters | Tournament Not Held | QF | Not Held | A | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| World Matchplay | Not Held | A | A | 1R | 1R | A | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Belgian Challenge | Tournament Not Held | 1R | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Irish Masters | A | A | A | A | QF | QF | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | Ranking Event | NH | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Indian Masters | Tournament Not Held | F | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pontins Professional | A | A | A | A | A | W | SF | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Performance table legend | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LQ | lost in the qualifying draw | #R | lost in the early rounds of the tournament (WR = Wildcard round, RR = Round robin) | QF | lost in the quarter-finals |
| SF | lost in the semi–finals | F | lost in the final | W | won the tournament |
| DNQ | did not qualify for the tournament | A | did not participate in the tournament | WD | withdrew from the tournament |
| NH / Not Held | event was not held. | |||
| NR / Non-Ranking Event | event is/was no longer a ranking event. | |||
| R / Ranking Event | event is/was a ranking event. | |||
| MR / Minor-Ranking Event | event is/was a minor-ranking event. | |||
| Outcome | No. | Year | Championship | Opponent in the final | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | 1. | 1990 | The Classic |  Warren King | 10–6 |
| Outcome | No. | Year | Championship | Opponent in the final | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | 1. | 1992 | Pontins Professional | Neal Foulds | 9–8 |
| Runner-up | 1. | 1992 | Indian Masters | Steve Davis | 6–9 |
| Runner-up | 2. | 2004 | Challenge Tour - Event 3 | Brian Salmon | 2–6 |
| Outcome | No. | Year | Championship | Opponent in the final | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | 1. | 1985 | Warners Open | David Roe | 4–2 [10] |
| Runner-up | 1. | 1992 | Pontins Spring Open |  Declan Hughes | 2–7 |
| Runner-up | 2. | 1993 | Pontins Spring Open (2) | Mike Hallett | 6–7 |
Tony Drago is a Maltese former professional snooker and pool player.
Anthony Christian Meo is a retired English snooker player. He won the 1989 British Open by defeating Dean Reynolds 13–6 in the final, and was runner-up to Steve Davis at the 1984 Classic. He won four World Doubles Championship titles, partnering Davis, and the 1983 World Team Classic representing England alongside Davis and Tony Knowles.
Terence Martin Griffiths is a Welsh retired professional snooker player and current coach and pundit. After winning several amateur titles, including the Welsh Amateur Championship in 1975 and back-to-back English Amateur Championships in 1977 and 1978, Griffiths turned professional in June 1978 at the age of 30. In his second professional tournament, he qualified for the 1979 World Snooker Championship. He reached the final of the event where he defeated Dennis Taylor by 24 frames to 16. This was only the second time a qualifier had won the World Snooker Championship, after Alex Higgins in 1972; only Shaun Murphy in 2005 has since emulated the achievement. In 1988, Griffiths again reached the final of the competition. He was tied with Steve Davis, 8–8, but lost the match 11–18.
John Stephen Parrott is an English former professional snooker player and television personality. He was a familiar face on the professional snooker circuit during the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s, and remained within the top 16 of the world rankings for fourteen consecutive seasons.
Doug Mountjoy was a Welsh snooker player from Tir-y-Berth, Gelligaer, Wales. He was a member of the professional snooker circuit from the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s, and remained within the top 16 of the world rankings for 11 consecutive years. He began his professional snooker career by taking the 1977 Masters, which he entered as a reserve player. He won both the 1978 UK Championship and the 1979 Irish Masters. Mountjoy reached the final of the 1981 World Snooker Championship where he was defeated by Steve Davis. He was also runner-up at the 1985 Masters losing to Cliff Thorburn, but by 1988 he had dropped out of the top 16.
William Joseph Thorne was an English professional snooker player. He won one ranking title, the 1985 Classic. He also reached the final of the 1985 UK Championship, losing 16–14 to Steve Davis after leading 13–8. He was noted for his break-building, and was among the first players to compile 100 century breaks. He earned the nickname "Mr Maximum". After retiring as a player, Thorne became a snooker commentator, primarily for the BBC.
James Wattana is a Thai former professional snooker player.
David Roe is a former English professional snooker player, and a four-time ranking tournament quarter-finalist.
Neal Foulds is an English former professional snooker player and six-time tournament winner, including the 1986 International Open, the 1988 Dubai Masters and the 1992 Scottish Masters, as well as the invitational Pot Black in 1992. He was runner-up at the 1986 UK Championship and the 1987 British Open, and reached the semi-finals of three Masters tournaments and the 1987 World Championship. After his retirement, Foulds became a commentator for the BBC and is currently part of the presenting team for ITV and Eurosport.
Mike Hallett is an English former professional snooker player and commentator. He won the 1989 Hong Kong Open.
Anthony Knowles is an English former professional snooker player. He won the 1982 International Open and the 1983 Professional Players Tournament, and was a three times semi-finalist in the World Professional Snooker Championship in the 1980s. His highest world ranking was second, in the 1984/85 season.
Silvino Francisco is a South African former professional snooker player who won the 1985 British Open.
Dean Reynolds is an English former professional snooker player whose career spanned twenty years from 1981 to 2001.
Gary Wilkinson is an English former professional snooker player.
Martin Clark is an English organiser of snooker tournaments and retired professional snooker player.
Barry Pinches is an English former professional snooker player, recognisable for his bright and flamboyant waistcoats, which usually feature the yellow and green colours of Norwich City F.C. He is a former top 32 player and ranking-event quarter-finalist. He has compiled over 100 century breaks in his career. He has also made one maximum break.
Rod Lawler is a former English professional snooker player. He is noted for his slow playing style which gave rise to his nickname, "Rod the Plod".
Dene O'Kane was a New Zealand professional snooker player.
Mark Johnston-Allen is a former professional snooker player.
Dennis Taylor is a Northern Irish retired professional snooker player and current commentator. In the 1985 World Snooker Championship final, against defending champion Steve Davis, Taylor lost the first eight frames, but recovered to win 18–17 in a duel on the last black ball. The final's conclusion attracted 18.5 million viewers, setting UK viewership records for any post-midnight broadcast and for any broadcast on BBC Two that still stand.