Before Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan, there was Ray Reardon. The Welshman with the widow's peak won six world titles in the 1970s and was the man who turned snooker's new television era into appointment viewing.
Reardon died in July 2024, aged 91, after a remarkable life that took him from the coal mines of South Wales to the Crucible. Here is his story, and you can shop every design in our Ray Reardon collection.
Ray Reardon Fact File
| Full name | Raymond Reardon |
| Date of birth | 8 October 1932 |
| Place of birth | Tredegar, Monmouthshire, Wales |
| Died | 19 July 2024 (aged 91) |
| Discipline | Snooker |
| Nationality | Welsh |
| Professional career | 1967–1991 |
| Highest break | 146 |
| Nickname | Dracula |
Career History
| Year | World Championship final | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Beat John Pulman | 37–33 |
| 1973 | Beat Eddie Charlton | 38–32 |
| 1974 | Beat Graham Miles | 22–12 |
| 1975 | Beat Eddie Charlton | 31–30 |
| 1976 | Beat Alex Higgins | 27–16 |
| 1978 | Beat Perrie Mans | 25–18 |
| 1982 | Lost to Alex Higgins | 15–18 |
Scores are in frames. Reardon reached seven world finals, winning six. He also won 16 other professional titles.
From the Pit to the Police
Reardon grew up in Tredegar and went down the mines at Ty Trist Colliery at 14. He survived a mine collapse in 1957, and in 1960 he joined the police.
At the table he was already a force, winning six Welsh Amateur Championships in a row from 1950 to 1955 and the English Amateur title in 1964, before turning professional in 1967.
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Champion of the World
Reardon won his first world title in 1970, beating John Pulman 37–33. He then dominated the decade, winning four titles in a row from 1973 to 1976.
He was also the first Pot Black champion in 1969, a show that helped make snooker a television sport.
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The First World No. 1
When official world rankings were introduced in the mid-1970s, Reardon was the first player to top them. In 1978 he won his sixth world title by beating Perrie Mans, becoming the oldest world champion at 45, a record that stood until Ronnie O'Sullivan won in 2022.
He reached one more world final in 1982, losing 18–15 to Alex Higgins, but won the Professional Players Tournament that year aged 50.
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Later Years
Reardon retired from the professional game in 1991. Years later he helped mentor Ronnie O'Sullivan ahead of his 2004 world title win.
He was made an MBE in 1985, inducted into snooker's Hall of Fame in 2011.
Honours
World Championship
- World champion: 1970, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978
- Runner-up: 1982
Other titles
- Masters: 1976
- Professional Players Tournament: 1982
- Pot Black: 1969, 1979
- Welsh Amateur Championship: 1950–1955
- English Amateur Championship: 1964
Individual
- First official world No. 1
- MBE (1985)
- Snooker Hall of Fame (2011)
Away From the Table
Reardon's distinctive widow's peak and sharp eye teeth earned him the nickname Dracula. He was married to Carol, and his love of the game never faded: he made a century break a few weeks after his 91st birthday.
FAQs
How old was Ray Reardon when he died?
Ray Reardon died on 19 July 2024, aged 91.
Where was Ray Reardon born?
He was born in Tredegar, Monmouthshire, Wales.
How many world titles did Ray Reardon win?
Six: 1970, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976 and 1978.
What was Ray Reardon's highest break?
His highest competitive break was 146, made in 1972. He never made a 147 in tournament play.
Why was Ray Reardon called Dracula?
The nickname came from his widow's peak hairline and prominent eye teeth.
What did Ray Reardon do before snooker?
He worked as a coal miner from the age of 14 and later served as a police officer before turning professional in 1967.
Shop the Ray Reardon Collection
Celebrate a six-time world champion with our made-to-order hoodies and T-shirts, printed in the UK.
Ray Reardon Men's Hoodie
£39.99
Shop every design in our Ray Reardon collection. Explore the full snooker collection for more Crucible legends. Want your own name on the back instead? Design a custom name hoodie.
Part of our Player Profiles series. Read next: Steve Davis Career Story and Alex Higgins Career Story.
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