John Dunning (snooker player)
Encyclopedia
John Dunning was an English
professional player of snooker
. Considered a Yorkshireman through and through, he was eleven times Yorkshire amateur champion. In 1964, he became CIU champion, beating Geoff Thompson in the final, making this his best win as an amateur. He had lost to Mark Wildman
the previous year.
Dunning turned professional in 1970, and played his first World Championship match in 1972
, when he lost to John Pulman
in the first round, after beating Pat Houlihan
and Graham Miles
at the Qualifying rounds. He produced his best performance in 1974
, when he made the Quarter-finals, which he lost to Miles 13–15. He last played at the main stages in 1982
.
He re-emerged in 1977, when he reached the quarter-finals of the inaugural UK Snooker Championship
, before losing 0–5 to Alex Higgins
.
But his biggest moment in his career came when he reached the final of the Yamaha Masters
in March 1984. The tournament, played on a three-man-group round-robin basis, saw Dunning start the tournament as 7–1 outsider to qualify from his first group. After he beat Tony Knowles
2–1 in the opening game, he became favourite; all he had to do then was to beat Les Dodd – and that he did without much difficulty. He then made it to the semi-finals, which he played against Australian Warren King
and Terry Griffiths
of Wales. Dunning lost to King, but beat Griffiths, which made his place in the final, in which he met Dave Martin and the reigning World Champion and World No. 1 Steve Davis
. The final proved to be a real challenge for Dunning, and he lost both matches, ending up third, with Davis winning the title, but he did receive a cheque for £6,000. He is still to this day the oldest ever finalist in a major snooker event, at 56 years and 11 months.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
professional player of snooker
Snooker
Snooker is a cue sport that is played on a green baize-covered table with pockets in each of the four corners and in the middle of each of the long side cushions. A regular table is . It is played using a cue and snooker balls: one white , 15 worth one point each, and six balls of different :...
. Considered a Yorkshireman through and through, he was eleven times Yorkshire amateur champion. In 1964, he became CIU champion, beating Geoff Thompson in the final, making this his best win as an amateur. He had lost to Mark Wildman
Mark Wildman
Mark Wildman is an English snooker and pool commentator, and a retired professional player of snooker and English billiards...
the previous year.
Dunning turned professional in 1970, and played his first World Championship match in 1972
World Snooker Championship 1972
The 1972 World Snooker Championship, between March 1971 to February 1972, took nearly a year to complete. In a preliminary competition eight qualifiers were reduced to two, and they joined the eight other entrants in the competition proper...
, when he lost to John Pulman
John Pulman
John Pulman was an English professional snooker player who dominated the game throughout the 1960s....
in the first round, after beating Pat Houlihan
Pat Houlihan
Patrick "Pat" Houlihan was an English snooker player. He was born in Deptford, London.He turned professional in 1971 at the age of 42 after many years as an amateur including beating future world champion John Spencer 11-3 at Blackpool Tower during the 1965 World Amateur Championship...
and Graham Miles
Graham Miles
Graham Miles is a retired English snooker player.Miles turned professional in 1969. He first gained recognition in 1974, when he reached the final of the World Championship. Although he lost 22–12 to Ray Reardon, this turned out to be the highlight of his career...
at the Qualifying rounds. He produced his best performance in 1974
World Snooker Championship 1974
The 1974 Park Drive World Snooker Championship took place at Belle Vue, Manchester between 16 and 25 April 1974. The prelimnary round took place on the 11 April.Ray Reardon won in the final 22–12 against Graham Miles.- Notable moments :...
, when he made the Quarter-finals, which he lost to Miles 13–15. He last played at the main stages in 1982
World Snooker Championship 1982
The 1982 Embassy World Snooker Championship professional ranking snooker tournament took place at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield between 30 April and 16 May 1982.Alex Higgins won in the final 18–15 against Ray Reardon.- Notable moments :...
.
He re-emerged in 1977, when he reached the quarter-finals of the inaugural UK Snooker Championship
1977 UK Snooker Championship
The 1977 Super Crystalate UK Championship professional snooker tournament took place at the Tower Circus, Blackpool between 26 November and 3 December 1977....
, before losing 0–5 to Alex Higgins
Alex Higgins
Alexander Gordon "Alex" Higgins , also known by his nickname of Hurricane Higgins, was a Northern Irish professional snooker player who was twice World Champion and twice runner-up. Higgins earned the nickname The Hurricane because of his speed of play...
.
But his biggest moment in his career came when he reached the final of the Yamaha Masters
British Open (snooker)
The British Open was a professional snooker tournament. It was a ranking tournament from 1985. The tournament has not been held since the 2004/2005 season....
in March 1984. The tournament, played on a three-man-group round-robin basis, saw Dunning start the tournament as 7–1 outsider to qualify from his first group. After he beat Tony Knowles
Tony Knowles (snooker player)
Anthony Knowles is an English professional snooker player. He was a three times semi-finalist in the World Professional Snooker Championship in the 1980s.-Career:...
2–1 in the opening game, he became favourite; all he had to do then was to beat Les Dodd – and that he did without much difficulty. He then made it to the semi-finals, which he played against Australian Warren King
Warren King (snooker player)
Warren King is a former professional Australian snooker player. His best run in a ranking event was to the final of the Mercantile Credit Classic in 1990, where he lost 10-6 to Steve James. He never managed to get into the top 32, his highest ranking being 35...
and Terry Griffiths
Terry Griffiths
Terrence "Terry" Griffiths OBE is a retired Welsh snooker player and current snooker coach and pundit. He won the World Championship in 1979 at the first attempt, and reached the 1988 final. He also won the Masters in 1980 and the UK Championship in 1982, making him one of seven players to have...
of Wales. Dunning lost to King, but beat Griffiths, which made his place in the final, in which he met Dave Martin and the reigning World Champion and World No. 1 Steve Davis
Steve Davis
Steve Davis, OBE is an English professional snooker player. He has won more professional titles in the sport than any other player, including six World Championships during the 1980s, when he was the world number one for seven years and became the sport's first millionaire...
. The final proved to be a real challenge for Dunning, and he lost both matches, ending up third, with Davis winning the title, but he did receive a cheque for £6,000. He is still to this day the oldest ever finalist in a major snooker event, at 56 years and 11 months.