Editing Ray Reardon (section)

===Six times world snooker champion===
That victory in 1964 led to an invitation to tour South Africa with [[Jonathan Barron]], which proved so successful that Reardon was offered the opportunity to return and tour again as a professional. He returned there after having resigned from the police force and turned professional in 1967. When he played [[Jimmy van Rensberg]] in the South African Challenge, Reardon won the best-of-three matches event 2–1.{{sfn|Everton|1985|p=26}}{{sfn|Everton|Silverton|1972|pages=19–20}}<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Ray Reardon turns professional |magazine=Billiards and Snooker |publisher=Billiards Association and Control Council |date=December 1967 |page=5}}</ref>

Reardon's first appearance at the [[World Snooker Championship]] was in [[1969 World Snooker Championship|1969]] in a quarter-final against [[Fred Davis (snooker player)|Fred Davis]] in Stoke-on-Trent.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Observer |date=17 November 1968 |page=18 |title=Old pros face the new men |first=Clive |last=Everton |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49817992/the-observer/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=23 July 2021 |archive-date=3 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103203204/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49817992/the-observer/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The match featured lengthy tactical exchanges between the players, resulting in some of the longest sessions ever recorded in World Championship play.<ref name="BPFEB69"/> Neither player was ahead by more than two {{cuegloss|frame|frames}} until Reardon won the 27th frame to lead 15–12, after which Davis won six frames in a row. The best-of-49-frames match went to a {{cuegloss|deciding frame}}, which Davis won.<ref name="BPFEB69">{{cite magazine |last=Everton |first=Clive |title=Davis wears down Reardon |magazine=Billiards and Snooker |publisher=Billiards Association and Control Council |date=February 1969 |pages=4–5 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=28 January 1969 |page=24 |title=Snooker win in last frame |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49819955/the-sydney-morning-herald/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=23 July 2021 |archive-date=23 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723152034/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49819955/the-sydney-morning-herald/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 1969, the [[BBC]] began broadcasting ''[[Pot Black]]'', a competition of one-frame matches which became popular with viewers and enhanced the profile and earning power of the participants. Reardon won the first series by defeating Spencer 88–29 in the one-frame final.{{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|p=71}}

In London in April [[1970 World Snooker Championship|1970]], Reardon won the World Championship for the first time, defeating Davis in the quarter-finals, Spencer in the semi-finals, and [[John Pulman]] 37–33 in the final, having led 27–14 before Pulman reduced the lead to one frame at 34–33.{{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|p=71}}{{sfn|Everton|1985|p=56}} At the [[1971 World Snooker Championship|next World Championship]], played in Australia in November 1970, Reardon won all four of his [[Round-robin tournament|round-robin group]] matches,<ref name=smh22oct1970a>{{cite news |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=o6spAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AOUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5453%2C8927310 |date=22 October 1970 |page=15 |title=Reardon in final four |access-date=1 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312092928/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=o6spAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AOUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5453%2C8927310 |archive-date=12 March 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Match by match |magazine=World Snooker |publisher=Clive Everton |location=Birmingham |date=January 1971 |pages=1–2}}</ref> and qualified for a place in the semi-finals, where Spencer established a winning margin against him at 25–7 and finished the match 34–15 ahead after {{cuegloss|dead frame|dead frames}}.{{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|p=72}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Spencer makes the final |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=30 October 1970 |page=15 }}</ref> Reardon won the October 1971 edition of the [[Park Drive 2000]], defeating Spencer 4–3 in the final after placing second in the round-robin stage (behind Spencer who had placed first). In the Spring 1972 edition, he made a break of 146 in the round-robin, which was the highest-ever break in competitive play at that time.{{sfn|Everton|1981|p=90}} This remained the highest official break of Reardon's career,<ref name="WST profile" /> as he never achieved a [[maximum break]] of 147 in tournament play.<ref>{{cite web |title=Official 147s |url=https://wst.tv/wpbsa/official-147s/ |website=World Snooker |access-date=24 July 2021 |archive-date=22 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722103149/https://wst.tv/wpbsa/official-147s/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><!--The absence of Reardon's name in this official list is evidence that he did not record a 147 in competition.-->

At the [[1972 World Snooker Championship|1972 World Championship]], Reardon lost his first match 22–25 to [[Rex Williams]] in the quarter-finals.<ref name="SCENEWC">{{cite web |title=Embassy World Championship|url=http://www.snookerscene.co.uk/page.php?id=36|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124071753/http://www.snookerscene.co.uk/page.php?id=36|archive-date=24 January 2013|website=Snooker Scene|access-date=24 July 2021}}</ref> He reached the final of the [[1973 World Snooker Championship|1973 World Championship]] in [[Manchester]], beating [[Jim Meadowcroft]] 16–10, and Spencer 23–22. He lost the first seven frames of the final to [[Eddie Charlton]], but took 17 of the next 23 to hold a four-frame advantage at 17–13 and then moved further ahead into a 27–25 lead. At this point in the match, he complained to the organisers about the television lighting reflecting on the {{cuegloss|object ball|object balls}}; when his complaint was not resolved by the organisers, he approached the tournament sponsors and threatened to withdraw from the competition, after which the lighting was changed. Reardon was ahead 31–29 going into the last day, and won 38–32 to claim his second world title.<ref name="SCENEWC" />{{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|pp=73–74}}

Reardon defended his World Championship title in [[1974 World Snooker Championship|1974]], defeating Meadowcroft 15–3, [[Marcus Owen]] 15–11 and Davis 15–3 before beating [[Graham Miles]] 22–12 in the final.<ref name="SCENEWC" /> In a post-match interview, Reardon suggested that he had not played "any better than mediocre" in the final, but that Miles had not created any pressure for him, adding: "I don't feel the elation that I felt at winning last year."{{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|p=74}}<ref>{{cite web|title=1974 Pontin's Festival – Pontins Professional|url=http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk:80/files/Pontins/pontins-74pro.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060421053543/http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/Pontins/pontins-74pro.htm|website=Global Snooker Centre|archive-date=21 April 2006|access-date=29 August 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> He also won the [[1974 Pontins Professional]], leading 9–4 in the final and winning it 10–9 after Spencer took five consecutive frames to force a decider.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=£1000 for Reardon |magazine=Snooker Scene |publisher=Everton's News Agency |location=Birmingham |date=July 1974 |page=9}}</ref>

In [[1975 Masters (snooker)|1975]], Reardon reached the final of the inaugural [[Masters (snooker)|Masters]] by winning 5–4 on the {{cuegloss|pink ball}} against Williams in the semi-final, but lost the final 8–9 to Spencer on a {{cuegloss|re-spotted black}}.{{sfn|Everton|1986|p=103}} At the [[1975 World Snooker Championship|1975 World Championship]] in Australia, he won a tough quarter-final against Spencer, 19–17, and then eliminated [[Alex Higgins]] 19–14 in the semi-finals to meet Charlton in the final. Reardon was leading 16–8, but Charlton won the following nine frames and then went ahead 28–23 before Reardon pulled back seven of the next eight frames to lead 30–29. Charlton took the 60th frame to tie the match but Reardon won the vital 61st frame to secure the world title for the third successive year.{{sfn|Everton|1986|p=103}} A week later, at [[Pontins]] in [[Prestatyn]], Wales, he retained the [[1975 Pontins Professional|Professional title]] and won the [[Pontins Open|Spring Open title]].{{sfn|Everton|1986|p=103}}

Reardon won the [[1976 Masters (snooker)|Masters]] in January 1976, beating Miles 7–3 in the final.{{sfn|Everton|1986|p=105}} He had earned his place in the final by defeating Pulman 4–1 in the quarter-finals, in a match where the highest break (compiled by Pulman) was only 22, and then Charlton 5–4 in the semi-finals.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Reardon wins Benson and Hedges |magazine=Snooker Scene |publisher=Everton's News Agency |location=Birmingham |date=March 1976 |pages=16–17}}</ref>

In [[1976 World Snooker Championship|1976]], Reardon won his fifth world title, defeating [[John Dunning (snooker player)|John Dunning]] 15–7, [[Dennis Taylor]] 15–2 and [[Perrie Mans]] 20–10. During the final in Manchester against Higgins, Reardon complained about the television lighting (which was changed), the quality of the table (to which adjustments were subsequently made), and the referee (who was replaced). Higgins led in the early stages of the match, but Reardon recovered to 15–13 before winning 12 of the next 15 frames for a 27–16 victory.<ref name="SCENEWC" />{{sfn|Williams|Gadsby|2005|p=75}} He claimed the [[1976 Pontins Professional|Pontins Professional]] title for the third consecutive year, defeating Fred Davis 10–9 in a contest described by ''[[Snooker Scene]]''{{'s}} correspondent as the best match of the professional season for "quality, interest and excitement".<ref name="PONTIN76">{{cite magazine |title=Pontin's classic professional final |magazine=Snooker Scene |publisher=Everton's News Agency |location=Birmingham |date=June 1976 |page=24}}</ref> Both players made a century break in the match, Reardon pulling ahead to 8–5 after losing all of the first three frames, but then needing the last two when Davis took the score to 9–8.<ref name="PONTIN76"/> Reardon also won the [[1976 World Professional Match-play Championship]] in Australia, defeating the event's promoter Charlton 31–24 in the final.<ref>{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Chris|year=2008|title=World Matchplay|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/matchplay.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120228200020/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/matchplay.html|archive-date=28 February 2012|website=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive|access-date=26 July 2021}}</ref>

Reardon reached the final of the [[1977 Masters (snooker)|1977 Masters]], beating Williams 4–1 in the quarter-finals and Miles 5–2 in the semi-finals, but lost the final 6–7 to [[Doug Mountjoy]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Everton |first=Clive |title=Benson and Hedges masters |magazine=Snooker Scene |publisher=Everton's News Agency |location=Birmingham |date=March 1977 |pages=17–19}}</ref> He was also runner-up at the [[1977 Benson & Hedges Ireland Tournament]], losing 2–5 to Higgins.{{sfn|Hayton|Dee|2004|pp=834–836}} Reardon's successful run at the World Championship ended in [[World Snooker Championship 1977|1977]] at the [[Crucible Theatre]] in Sheffield,{{efn|This was the first year that the World Championship was held at the Crucible.<ref>{{cite web |title=1977: Spencer sparkles in Sheffield |date=18 April 2003 |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/2953737.stm |access-date=23 July 2022 |archive-date=8 April 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040408121005/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/snooker/2953737.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>}} when he lost to Spencer in the quarter-finals 6–13; it was his first defeat at the World Championship since his quarter-final loss to Williams in 1972.<ref name="SCENEWC" />

Reardon regained the world title in [[World Snooker Championship 1978|1978]] in Sheffield; after recovering from 2–7 down to beat Mountjoy 13–9 in the last-16 round, he defeated [[Bill Werbeniuk]] 13–6, Charlton 18–14, and Mans 25–18 in the final to lift the trophy for the sixth and final time.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Embassy world professional snooker championship |magazine=Snooker Scene |publisher=Everton's News Agency |location=Birmingham |date=June 1978 |pages=7–17}}</ref> Aged 45 years and 203 days, Reardon was the oldest winner of the World Snooker Championship,<ref name="CTREC">{{cite web|url=http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Records.html |title=Various Snooker Records |last=Turner |first=Chris |year=2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130210111343/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Records.html |website=Chris Turner's Snooker Archive |archive-date=10 February 2013 |access-date=27 July 2021 }}</ref> a record that lasted until 2022 when [[Ronnie O'Sullivan]] won the title aged 46 years and 148 days.<ref>{{cite web |title=World Snooker Championship 2022: Ronnie O'Sullivan claims record-equalling seventh world title |last=Sutcliffe |first=Steve |date=2 May 2022 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/61294622 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=2 May 2022 |url-status=live |archive-date=3 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503143632/https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/61294622}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ronnie O'Sullivan's career statistics and records as he equals Stephen Hendry's tally of seven World Championship titles |url=https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/ronnie-osullivans-career-statistics-and-records-as-he-equals-stephen-hendrys-tally-of-seven-world-championship-titles/200458 |last=Hammer |first=Chris |date=3 May 2022 |access-date=4 May 2022 |website=Sporting Life |url-status=live |archive-date=8 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508225332/https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/ronnie-osullivans-career-statistics-and-records-as-he-equals-stephen-hendrys-tally-of-seven-world-championship-titles/200458}}</ref> Soon after establishing this record, Reardon regained the [[1978 Pontins Professional|Pontins Professional]] title, taking it for the fourth time in five years, defeating Spencer 7–2 in the final.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The professionals |magazine=Snooker Scene |publisher=Everton's News Agency |location=Birmingham |date=June 1978 |pages=20}}</ref> The same year, his old rival from Tredegar, Wilson, won the [[1978 World Amateur Snooker Championship|World Amateur Championship]].{{sfn|Everton|1985|pp=53–55}}