END OF THE HURRICANE
Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins, twice world snooker Champion, died on SAturday 24th July, aged 61 after a long fight with throat cancer.
Alex won the World title in 1972 and again in 1982, amid emotional scenes at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
He changed the face of snooker when he burst onto the Professional snooker circuit in the early seventies, winning the World title at his first attempt in 1972 beating John Spencer in the final.
Although unpredictable and often in trouble with the games' authorities, Alex's style of play and general charisma made him the most popular player and the biggest 'box-office' draw the game has ever seen.
Alex lived his life to the full, with little regard for anyone else or even his own well being, and this lifestyle finally took its toll, but nonetheless, he will be forever remembered by true snooker fans for the contribution he made to taking the game forward and bringing in a new younger audience, which in turn safe guarded the future of snooker and encouraged the younger players to immitate his aggressive, exciting brand of play.
Alex was a true genius, in the same vane as fellow countryman George Best, who similarly died much too early. A flawed genius maybe, but one who gave much pleasure and entertainment to the millions of snooker fans around the world.
Rest in peace, Alex.
John Harrop
Blackpool Snooker
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