Who was Ray Reardon and how did the late Welsh snooker player & Ronnie O’Sullivan’s mentor die?

RAY Reardon was the greatest player of his generation, becoming champion of the world an incredible six times.

The legend has passed away at the age of 91 following a battle with cancer.

Who was Ray Reardon?

Ray Reardon worked as a policeman before becoming a snooker professional.

He was given the nickname ‘Dracula’ by the late presenter and magician Paul Daniels due to his sharp-toothed smile and widow’s peak.

He also held the record for the oldest winner of the World Snooker Championship — he was 45 when he won the tournament in 1978.

In 2022 the record was broken by Ronnie O’Sullivan, who he mentored in preparation for the 2004 World Snooker Championship, which The Rocket won.

Ronnie credits Ray for improving his game, having said the time he spent with him as the “best two years” of his life.

In 2020, he told Eurosport: “I knew I needed something you know and I kind of felt my game was good but I was always thirsty to see if somebody could make me in to a better player.

“Ray Reardon was that guy and my dad made that phone call and within 24 hours of making a phone call, Ray was up in Sheffield, we met and from then on we had this unbelievable relationship.

“And I always say, I need to be shown what to do on a snooker table. I have this ability to pot balls and this gift that I find all ball sports easy really but I still feel like I’ve needed help and guidance along the way to make me better, better and better.

“And once I’m shown what to do I can only incorporate that into my game.

“The word was ‘I’m going to make you into an impregnable player’ and I didn’t even know what ‘impregnable’ meant.

” thought, alright, well, if that’s what you think I need then we’ll go along those lines.

“And then it was just slowly after working in some practice sessions I thought we were just going to pot balls.”

Reardon won five ranking events and was a pioneer of the game alongside the likes of Steve Davis and Alex Higgins.

What was Ray Reardon’s cause of death?

Ray died at the age of 91 following a battle with cancer, his wife Carol confirmed on July 20, 2024.

No further information has been reported at the time of writing.

Tributes poured in for Ray after the sad news broke, with former rival Jimmy White saying: “Gutted to hear my very good friend Ray Reardon has passed away.

“A total class act and very kind to me when I was making my way in the game. A giant of the game. Rest in Peace mate.”

Countryman and three-time world champion Mark Williams said: “Ray is one of the best sports people ever from Wales and the best snooker player.

“He’s one of the reasons why a lot of us started playing. He put snooker on the map, alongside Alex Higgins, Jimmy White and Steve Davis.

“Anyone playing now owes them a lot because they brought popularity to the game. He is a real inspiration.”

BBC commentator and former pro John Virgo wrote: “Sad news. Ray Reardon passed away last night, it was an honour to have known him, a true great of our game RIP.”

Did Ray Reardon make a 147? 

While Ray never made a maximum 147 break in tournament play, he did make the even-rarer 146 during the 1972 Park Drive event.

He won the inaugural Pot Black tournament in 1969 as snooker made its debut on to colour TV.

When world rankings were introduced to snooker in 1976, Ray was the first player to be ranked world No1.

The Welshman held onto top spot for the next five years, before gaining it back after just a year in 1982.

Ray won six world titles at six different venues — the last one being at the Crucible in 1978.

That victory over South African Perrie Mans was achieved at the iconic Sheffield venue at the age of 45.

He was the oldest world champ in history until Ronnie took that record.

The Welsh Open trophy was renamed the Ray Reardon Trophy in his honour from the 2017 edition of the tournament onwards.

Ray was awarded an MBE for services to snooker in 1985