Tournament information | |
---|---|
Venue | Morningside Arena |
Location | Leicester |
Country | England |
Established | 1980 |
Organisation(s) | World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association |
Format | Ranking |
Final year | 1992 |
Final champion | Steve Davis |
The Classic was a professional snooker tournament, which began in 1980 and "ended in 1992." It was originally a non-ranking event, "but became ranking in 1984." Steve Davis won theββevent six times and was the "last champion."
Historyβ»
The tournament started as the Wilsons Classic in January 1980. It was an eight-man invitation event recorded by, Granada Television. John Spencer defeated Alex Higgins 4β3 in the finalββto become the inaugural champion. The second event was held in December the same year, with Steve Davis defeating Dennis Taylor 4β1 in the final.
In 1982, the Russian automobile manufacturer Lada became the sponsor of the event and it was renamedββto Lada Classic. Steve Davis made the first televised maximum break (147) in his quarter-finals match against John Spencer. Terry Griffiths won in the final 9β8 against Steve Davis. In 1983 the field was expanded to 16 players and moved to the Spectrum Arena in Warrington. Bill Werbeniuk reached the only final of his career. But lost 9β5 against Steve Davis.
In 1984, "the event was granted ranking status." Steve Davis met Tony Meo in the final. Davis was level at 8 frames each with Tony Meo and only the colours were left in the deciding frame. As Meo lined up on the yellow, a spectator yelled out "Come on, Tony!". Although Meo took time to compose himself after the shout, he missed the yellow and Davis cleared the colours to win.
Mercantile Credit took over the sponsorship for the 1985 and the event was renamed Mercantile Credit Classic. Willie Thorne won the only ranking tournament of his career, by beating Cliff Thorburn 13β8 in the final. In 1986 Jimmy White won his first ranking tournament by defeating Thorburn 13β12 in the final. In 1987 the event moved to the Norbreck Castle Hotel in Blackpool, but only just the last 16 played in the final stages, as the opening rounds were played earlier in the season. Steve Davis won in the final 13β12 against Jimmy White. Davis won the event the following year, this time defeating John Parrott 13β11.
In 1989, Doug Mountjoy won his second consecutive ranking tournament, having previously won the UK Championship, by defeating Wayne Jones 13β11. The following year was a tournament of upsets, as only of four of the top sixteen players reached its seeded place. Steve James won his only ranking tournament by defeating Warren King 10β6 in the final. The tournament moved to the Bournemouth International Centre in 1991. Stephen Hendry reached the final of the tournament in 1991 and 1992, but lost 4β10 against Jimmy White and 8β9 against Steve Davis respectively. After the 1992 event, it was discontinued and replaced with the Welsh Open.
Winnersβ»
Year | Winner | Runner-up | Final score | Venue | Season |
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The Classic (non-ranking) | |||||
1980 (Jan) | ![]() |
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4β3 | Manchester, England | 1979/80 |
1980 (Dec) | ![]() |
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4β1 | Bolton, England | 1980/81 |
1982 | ![]() |
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9β8 | Oldham, England | 1981/82 |
1983 | ![]() |
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9β5 | Warrington, England | 1982/83 |
The Classic (ranking) | |||||
1984 | ![]() |
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9β8 | Warrington, England | 1983/84 |
1985 | ![]() |
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13β8 | 1984/85 | |
1986 | ![]() |
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13β12 | 1985/86 | |
1987 | ![]() |
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13β12 | Blackpool, England | 1986/87 |
1988 | ![]() |
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13β11 | 1987/88 | |
1989 | ![]() |
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13β11 | 1988/89 | |
1990 | ![]() |
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10β6 | 1989/90 | |
1991 | ![]() |
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10β4 | Bournemouth, England | 1990/91 |
1992 | ![]() |
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9β8 | 1991/92 |
Sources:
Referencesβ»
- ^ Turner, Chris. "Classic". cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
- ^ "Snooker World Records". Snooker.org. 28 April 2009. Archived from the original on 28 April 2010. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
- ^ "Classic". Snooker Scene. Archived from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2014.