Dennis Taylor | My Life In Snooker and The Truth About The Black Ball Final
Join Sean O'Neill has he chats to Dennis Taylor, born on 19 January 1949 in Coalisland, Northern Ireland, is a former professional snooker player best known for his remarkable victory at the 1985 World Snooker Championship. His win in this tournament is famously remembered for the dramatic final frame against Steve Davis, which concluded with a tense black ball finish, capturing the attention of a record television audience across the UK.
Taylor is easily recognisable by his large, upside-down glasses, a distinctive feature that became his trademark throughout his career. These glasses helped him overcome the sighting problems he encountered while playing, allowing him to see the balls more clearly.
Starting his professional career in the early 1970s, Taylor quickly became one of snooker's leading figures during the sport's boom in the 1980s. Over his career, he won several ranking and non-ranking titles, making significant contributions to the popularity and development of snooker.
Beyond his playing days, Dennis Taylor has remained involved in snooker as a commentator and television presenter, continuing to share his deep knowledge of the game. His affable personality and insightful commentary have endeared him to a new generation of snooker fans, maintaining his status as a beloved figure in the sport. Taylor's contributions to snooker extend beyond the table, encompassing his roles as an ambassador for the sport and a mentor to younger players, underscoring his lasting legacy in the world of snooker.
Nostalgia and Career Highlights:
Taylor reminisces about the earlier days of his career, particularly the mid-1980s when snooker players like himself were involved in various promotional activities, including a memorable music stint with Chaz and Dave resulting in the hit "Snooker Loopy". He shares anecdotes about travelling with promoter Barry Hearn, who played a pivotal role in popularising snooker during that era.
Discussion on Financial Management for Athletes:
A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the financial pitfalls that many athletes face, a topic Taylor speaks on with considerable experience. He discusses the importance of financial planning, investing wisely, and the necessity of seeking proper financial advice to avoid common traps that have ensnared many successful sports figures.
The Evolution of Snooker:
Taylor provides insights into the growth of snooker over the years. He talks about the current health of the sport, noting the global expansion and increased player participation. The discussion covers how snooker has managed to retain its appeal through new talents, while also maintaining its rich heritage, highlighted by the enduring competitiveness of older players at top levels.
Advice on Seeking Financial and Career Advice:
Taylor stresses the importance of careful financial management and getting the right advice. He criticizes the incentive structures of past financial advisories and emphasizes the need for athletes to be cautious about where their money is being managed and by whom.
Closing Remarks:
The podcast concludes with heartfelt expressions of mutual respect between Taylor and O'Neill. Taylor acknowledges O'Neill's successful transition from snooker to other ventures and the importance of adaptability and resilience in both sports and life.
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction to Dennis Taylor
00:11:36 - Exhibition Matches and Pop Black
00:23:50 - Taking a Risk in Quitting a Career
00:36:02 - Switching Hands and Ambidexterity
00:48:22 - The Crucible Final: A Shot to Remember
01:00:04 - The Shy Snooker Player
01:12:11 - Funny Moments and Words of Wisdom
01:24:57 - Comedy and Commentary in Snooker
01:37:43 - Investment Advice and Financial Responsibility
01:50:02 - Retiring from Snooker at a Young Age
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Пікірлер: 30
I am sure I could never meet anyone who doesn't love Dennis Taylor. A gentleman, and a World Champion.
Thank God the truth is finally coming out. I can't find any interviews with Steve or Dennis where they mention it. Seriously though, great guy and nice interview.
How can you not love Dennis Taylor i could listen to him all day, that's if Sean would've let him speak. It's more about him than it is Dennis..
I could listen to Dennis talk all day, top bloke.
What a late night final. ,fantastic, thanks Dennis 😊
Seeing Dennis brings me way back to my younger days when I still lived in the North....watching snooker into the wee hours with my late Da....he was a big fan. Great memories.
@seanoneillmeets
23 күн бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it
Dennis was a very very underrated player. He'd have definitely been World Champion more than once had he sorted his eyesight out earlier. Although the match against Davis will always be his most famous win, I thought his masters win against Alex was equally brilliant. Nice lad too.
Great chat. I work with Dennis a lot, he genuinely is one of the nicest guys and naturally funny
Pleasure to meet you Sean, albeit on a virtual basis! I'd seen a few of your results on the Cuetracker website, from the early to mid 2000s, and all I knew was one of the many players who had a season or so on the main tour and then disappeared, seemingly never to be seen again. You see a name and wonder where they got to in life after snooker. Do you ever think of making another attempt to qualify for the tour? Even from the sparse facts and figures on Cuetracker, it's clear you were a good player! Thanks to both yourself and Dennis for this interview - this man is the living history of our sport, and his memories and stories will keep that history alive forever.
Snooker is very lucky to have had some of Britains best ever commentators in Ted Lowe and Dennis
I met Deniss in Blackpool at a amateur tournement, i think he wanted to watch the final so i played his son at pool who must have been 12 or so, he was a good little player
That game of snooker is a game that'll never be matched. From start to finish.
Dennis is a gentle soul lovely commentator
Yet no-one talks about the elephant in the room. The attempted escape from the snooker on the yellow. Even with the rules that existed in 1985, that should have been called a 'miss'.
Good interview.
Dennis done well interviewing this mentor guru but I only know one of them
I'd give my left arm to be ambidextrous....classic!
At the time it was thought Hearn told Davis to lose this final, to make him more likeable and boost the viewing figures.
STEPHEN LEE
hello sean its ben
I've a question id love people to ask, "If pride and contentment at winning the world championship could be measured in some kind of 'numerical emotion', does Dennis Taylor have more from his one win, than Davis (6) titles, and Hendry and O'Sullivan with their 7?" I think yes. Because Hendry O'Sullivan and Davis won so many, looking back, obviously they are highly proud and content but elite sporting winners, and people like that tend to be so obsessed with winning, that they will always think about the finals they lost more. What do yous think?
@user-cw5qp7ty9t
25 күн бұрын
Probably yes because it depends on how you are as a person and what you want to achieve. For me, if I was a snooker player and won 1 World championship then obviously I'd want to win it again, but if I didn't I wouldn't be that disappointed because I'd always reflect and have the knowledge and comfort that iv already achieved what I wanted to achieve and that's probably the same with dennis. Whereas Davis, hendry and osullivan they are not happy with just 1 world title they want more to the point nothing is ever enough, and their knowledge and discomfort would be the ones they lost.
@BelfastManUtdTherapy
22 күн бұрын
@@user-cw5qp7ty9t i agree. I love Dennis Taylor and i always get a sense of the pride he has in being a world champion. years ago at an exhibition i put this to him and he agreed!!!! He said while watching games in the Crucibal as commentator knowing he did it and his name is on the trophy never stops giving him goosebumps, whereas if commentating with Davis or Hendry they feel immense pride too but that they always have this nagging feeling they should have done 7,8,9 etc!!
Dennis had no chance in that final.. How wrong we where..
If it’s 1875 it’s 150 years old next year.
It's Sam Smith in 40 years
Dennis talking about '85 again surely not
You talk about yourself too much. Dennis just sits there and listens. 🙄