Dennis Taylor
Dennis Taylor (born 19 January 1949) is a retired professional Northern Irish snooker player and commentator. Taylor won the 1985 World Snooker Championship, defeating Steve Davis in the final 18–17. The final holds the record for the highest viewership for a broadcast both in the United Kingdom after midnight, and on BBC2. Taylor had reached the final once previously, at the 1979 World Snooker Championship where he lost 24–16 to Terry Griffiths. Taylor reached the highest ranking of his career in 1979–1980, where he was second in the world.
Taylor in 2004 | |
Born | Coalisland, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland | 19 January 1949
---|---|
Sport country | Northern Ireland |
Professional | 1972–2000 |
Highest ranking | 2 (1979/1980) |
Highest break | 141: 1987 Carling Challenge |
Tournament wins | |
Ranking | 2 |
Non-ranking | 17 |
World Champion | 1985 |
Taylor won the 1984 Grand Prix the previous year, where he defeated Cliff Thorburn 10–2 in the final. After the World Championship success, he won the invitational 1987 Masters defeating Alex Higgins 9–8 in the final. Taylor is known for wearing specially designed glasses manufactured for snooker, often described as looking upside-down. He made the highest break of his career at the 1987 Carling Challenge, a 141. Since his professional career finished, Taylor has played on the World Seniors Tour and has featured as a commentator on BBC snooker broadcasts. Alongside Izabela Hannah, he appeared on the third series of Strictly Come Dancing, finishing eighth.
Career
Early career
Born on 19 January 1949 in Coalisland, Northern Ireland, he was the son of a lorry driver, and had six siblings.[1][2] As an amateur, he won the 1968 British Junior Billiards Championship.[3] Taylor turned professional in 1972.[4] That season he made his debut in the World Snooker Championship debut in the 1973 event, losing 8–9 to Cliff Thorburn in the first round.[5] Over the next few years, Taylor reached the semi-finals at the event in 1975 where he lost 12–19 to Eddie Charlton,[6] and 1977, losing to Thorburn 18–16.[7] Two years later he reached the 1979 final, but lost 16–24 to qualifier Terry Griffiths.[5][8] He reached his highest world ranking for the following season, second behind Steve Davis.[9][10]
He reached the semi-final for a third time in 1984, losing to Davis.[11] His mother died as he was beginning the new season at the 1984 Jameson International. He retired from the event before his quarter-final match against Silvino Francisco.[12][13] However, he won the first ranking event of his career at the 1984 Grand Prix later that year defeating Thorburn 10–2 in the final.[14]
World Snooker Champion
Following his first ranking tournament victory, Taylor played in the 1985 World Championship. Seeded 11th for the tournament, he defeated Francisco in the opening round 10–2,[15] Eddie Charlton 13–6 in the second round,[16] Cliff Thorburn 13–5,[17] and Tony Knowles 16–5 to reach the final.[18] In the final, he played three-time winner and world number one Steve Davis. In the four session match, he trailed 0–7 after the first,[19] but bounced back to trail 7–9 overnight after the second.[20] Never being ahead, he took the match to a deciding frame with the scores tied at 17–17.[21] Trailing at 62–44 to Davis in the deciding frame with five coloured balls remaining. He potted a long brown ball, which he says was one of his best ever shots under pressure.[22] He also potted the blue and pink to bring the score to 62–59 with one ball, worth seven points, remaining.[23] Both players missed a shot on the black, but it was finally potted by Taylor to win the championship.[24][25]
The final is considered by many to be the greatest snooker match in history[26] and was broadcast to a peak audience of 18 million viewers in the United Kingdom. As of 2020 this is the highest viewership of any broadcast after midnight in the country, and a record for any programme shown on BBC2.[27][28][29] On his return to Northern Ireland, Taylor was awarded the key to the city of Coalisland.[30] Taylor also received a victory parade that 10,000 attended.[31]
Later career
Taylor reached his fourth ranking event final at the 1985 Grand Prix, later that year. He faced Davis again and went to a deciding frame, but this time was beaten 9–10. As of 2020 this was the longest one-day final in history with a playing time of over 10 hours.[32] In defence of his world championship, at the 1986 World Snooker Championship, Taylor lost in the opening round 6–10 to Mike Hallett.[33] In 1987 Taylor reached the final of the Masters for the only time in his career There he played countryman Alex Higgins, and trailed 5–8, but won the match 9–8.[34] The win was the last time a player from Northern Ireland won a Triple Crown event until Mark Allen won the 2018 Masters.[35] Taylor made the highest break of his career, a 141,[36][37] at the 1987 Carling Challenge, which he won defeating Joe Johnson in the final.[38]
At the 1990 World Cup, Taylor teamed with Higgins and Tommy Murphy to form a Northern Irish team.[39] After failing to win the tournament, Higgins threatened Taylor saying "if you ever come back to Northern Ireland I’ll have you shot".[40][41][42] Shortly afterwards they met in the quarter-finals of the Irish Masters, and a determined Taylor won 5–2.[39][40] In the next decade, his form dropped, and he fell out of the top 16 in the world rankings in 1995. Taylor retired as a professional in 2000.[8]
Alongside other players managed by Barry Hearn (known as the Matchroom mob) and Chas & Dave, Taylor featured on a music single called Snooker Loopy.[43] The song spent 11 weeks in the UK Singles Chart in 1996, reaching a peak of sixth.[44] Taylor was renowned for the glasses he wore during matches, with their large frame and unusual 'upside-down' structure that is required to avoid a player looking over the top of the lenses when down on a shot.[45] The spectacles were a joking point on the song,[46] and also commented on specifically by John Virgo in other media.[47][48] During his career, Taylor won the Irish Professional Championship on six occasions.[49]
After retiring from the Tour, Taylor plays matches on the World Seniors Tour and been a commentator and analyst for snooker events for the BBC.[50] In commentary alongside Clive Everton in 1998, a disagreement around the amount of snookers required for a player to win was had. Everton, who had incorrectly said one, fell from his chair, and reached out and grabbed Taylor by the necktie.[51] The tie was pulled so hard, that it was later cutoff to allow Taylor to continue commentary.[52]
Personal life
Taylor made regular guest appearances on snooker television show game show Big Break.[53] In 2005 Taylor took part in the third series of Strictly Come Dancing, reaching eighth place with his partner Izabela Hannah.[54][55] In February 1990, Taylor opened the Royal Mail sorting office in Blackburn, Lancashire before playing a single-frame challenge match.[56] Taylor currently lives in Llay near Wrexham.[57] His son Damien is a professional golf coach.[58] Taylor supports Blackburn Rovers and Manchester United. [59]
Performance and rankings timeline
Tournament | 1972/ 73 |
1973/ 74 |
1974/ 75 |
1975/ 76 |
1976/ 77 |
1977/ 78 |
1978/ 79 |
1979/ 80 |
1980/ 81 |
1981/ 82 |
1982/ 83 |
1983/ 84 |
1984/ 85 |
1985/ 86 |
1986/ 87 |
1987/ 88 |
1988/ 89 |
1989/ 90 |
1990/ 91 |
1991/ 92 |
1992/ 93 |
1993/ 94 |
1994/ 95 |
1995/ 96 |
1996/ 97 |
1997/ 98 |
1998/ 99 |
1999/ 00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ranking[60] | No ranking system | 9 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 15 | 24 | 32 | 26 | 34 | 52 | 88 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ranking tournaments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
British Open[nb 1] | Tournament Not Held | Non-Ranking Event | QF | 1R | QF | 2R | 1R | 3R | QF | 2R | 1R | 2R | 2R | 2R | 2R | LQ | LQ | LQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Grand Prix | Tournament Not Held | 3R | 1R | W | F | 3R | F | SF | QF | 2R | 1R | 3R | 1R | 1R | 1R | 1R | 1R | LQ | LQ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
UK Championship | Non-Ranking Event | 2R | SF | 2R | 2R | 3R | 3R | 1R | 2R | 2R | 2R | 2R | 3R | 2R | 2R | LQ | LQ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
China Open[nb 2] | Tournament Not Held | NR | LQ | LQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Welsh Open | Tournament Not Held | 2R | 1R | 1R | 2R | 3R | 2R | LQ | LQ | LQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Malta Grand Prix | Tournament Not Held | Non-Ranking Event | LQ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Thailand Masters[nb 3] | Tournament Not Held | Non-Ranking Event | Not Held | 1R | F | 3R | 2R | 1R | 1R | LQ | LQ | LQ | LQ | LQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Scottish Open[nb 4] | Tournament Not Held | NR | QF | 2R | WD | SF | 3R | 2R | QF | 3R | Not Held | 1R | 2R | 2R | 2R | 2R | LQ | LQ | LQ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
World Championship | 1R | LQ | SF | QF | SF | 1R | F | 2R | QF | 1R | 2R | SF | W | 1R | 2R | 2R | 2R | 1R | QF | 1R | QF | 1R | LQ | LQ | LQ | LQ | LQ | LQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-ranking tournaments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Champions Cup[nb 5] | Tournament Not Held | F | 1R | A | A | 1R | A | A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Scottish Masters | Tournament Not Held | A | SF | A | A | QF | A | QF | NH | 1R | A | 1R | A | 1R | A | LQ | A | LQ | A | A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Masters | Not Held | A | 1R | 1R | QF | A | QF | 1R | 1R | A | 1R | 1R | QF | W | 1R | 1R | 1R | 1R | 1R | 1R | QF | A | A | A | A | A | A | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Irish Masters[nb 6] | Not Held | A | A | A | 1R | A | RR | QF | QF | 1R | SF | 1R | QF | SF | 1R | 1R | F | SF | QF | 1R | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Premier League[nb 7] | Tournament Not Held | F | Not Held | RR | RR | A | RR | RR | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pontins Professional | NH | A | QF | QF | RR | RR | A | A | QF | QF | SF | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Former ranking tournaments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Canadian Masters[nb 8] | Not Held | Non-Ranking | Tournament Not Held | Non-Ranking | QF | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hong Kong Open[nb 9] | Tournament Not Held | Non-Ranking Event | NH | QF | Tournament Not Held | NR | NR | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Classic | Tournament Not Held | Non-Ranking Event | 1R | 1R | 3R | 1R | QF | 2R | 2R | 2R | 2R | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Strachan Open | Tournament Not Held | 2R | MR | NR | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asian Classic[nb 10] | Tournament Not Held | NR | A | 1R | QF | 3R | 1R | 1R | 1R | LQ | Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
European Open[nb 11] | Tournament Not Held | 2R | 1R | QF | 3R | 3R | 2R | LQ | 1R | LQ | NH | LQ | NH | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
German Open | Tournament Not Held | LQ | LQ | LQ | NR | NH | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Former non-ranking tournaments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Norwich Union Open | NH | 2R | 1R | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Watney Open | Not Held | QF | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
World Matchplay Championship | Tournament Not Held | 1R | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Holsten Lager International | Tournament Not Held | QF | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Golden Masters | Tournament Not Held | SF | SF | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bombay International | Tournament Not Held | RR | RR | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pontins Camber Sands | Tournament Not Held | F | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Champion of Champions | Tournament Not Held | A | NH | RR | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Scottish Open[nb 4] | Tournament Not Held | F | Ranking Event | Not Held | Ranking Event | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Northern Ireland Classic | Tournament Not Held | QF | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Classic | Tournament Not Held | QF | F | QF | 1R | Ranking Event | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tolly Cobbold Classic | Tournament Not Held | A | F | A | F | SF | A | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
UK Championship | Tournament Not Held | 2R | 2R | SF | QF | 2R | 2R | 2R | Ranking Event | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
British Open[nb 1] | Tournament Not Held | SF | SF | 2R | LQ | LQ | Ranking Event | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Costa Del Sol Classic | Tournament Not Held | W | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Singapore Masters | Tournament Not Held | A | RR | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kit Kat Break for World Champions | Tournament Not Held | W | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Thailand Masters[nb 3] | Tournament Not Held | A | A | A | QF | Not Held | Ranking Tournament | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
China Masters | Tournament Not Held | SF | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hong Kong Open[nb 9] | Tournament Not Held | A | A | A | A | 1R | 1R | A | W | A | NH | R | Tournament Not Held | A | A | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Carling Challenge[nb 12] | Tournament Not Held | A | A | W | W | A | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tokyo Masters | Tournament Not Held | W | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Canadian Masters[nb 8] | Not Held | F | QF | A | SF | A | QF | A | Tournament Not Held | W | QF | W | R | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asian Classic[nb 13] | Tournament Not Held | QF | Ranking Event | Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Matchroom Professional Championship | Tournament Not Held | SF | W | F | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
New Zealand Masters | Tournament Not Held | Not Held | 1R | A | QF | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
London Masters | Tournament Not Held | QF | QF | A | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shoot-Out | Tournament Not Held | 1R | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Norwich Union Grand Prix | Tournament Not Held | SF | A | QF | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
World Masters | Tournament Not Held | 2R | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hong Kong Challenge[nb 14] | Tournament Not Held | A | A | QF | F | SF | SF | NH | A | QF | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
World Seniors Championship | Tournament Not Held | SF | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
World Matchplay | Tournament Not Held | QF | QF | A | QF | A | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Irish Professional Championship | Not Held | SF | SF | F | A | A | W | W | W | F | NH | W | W | W | F | A | Not Held | SF | A | Tournament Not Held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
European Challenge | Tournament Not Held | QF | QF | SF | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pot Black | A | A | F | F | RR | RR | A | SF | A | RR | A | QF | SF | SF | Tournament Not Held | QF | RR | QF | Tournament Not Held | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Seniors Pot Black | Tournament Not Held | SF | Not Held |
Performance Table Legend | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
LQ | lost in the qualifying draw | #R | lost in the early rounds of the tournament (WR = Wildcard round, RR = Round robin) |
QF | lost in the quarter-finals |
SF | lost in the semi-finals | F | lost in the final | W | won the tournament |
DNQ | did not qualify for the tournament | A | did not participate in the tournament | WD | withdrew from the tournament |
NH / Not Held | means an event was not held. | |||
NR / Non-Ranking Event | means an event is/was no longer a ranking event. | |||
R / Ranking Event | means an event is/was a ranking event. |
- The event was also called the British Gold Cup (1979/1980), Yamaha Organs Trophy (1980/1981) and International Masters (1981/1982–1983/1984)
- The event was also called the China International(1998/1999)
- The event was also called the Asian Open (1989/1990–1992/1993) and the Thailand Open (1993/1994–1996/1997)
- The event was also called the International Open (1982/1983–1984/1985 & 1986/1987–1996/1997) and the Matchroom Trophy (1985/1986)
- The event ran under a different name as the Charity Challenge (1994/1995–1998/1999)
- The event was also called the Benson & Hedges Ireland Tournament (1974/1975–1976/1977)
- The event was also called the Professional Snooker League (1983/1984), Matchroom League (1986/1987 to 1991/1992) and the European League (1992/1993 to 1996/1997)
- The event was also called the Canadian Open (1978/1979–1980/1981)
- The event ran under different names such as the Australian Masters (1983/1984 to 1987/1988 and 1995/1996) and Australian Open (1994/1995).
- The event was also called the Dubai Masters (1988/1989), Dubai Classic (1989/90–1994/1995) and Thailand Classic (1995/1996)
- The event was also called the Irish Open (1998/1999)
- The event was also called the Carlsberg Challenge (1984/1985–1986/1987)
- The event was also called the Dubai Masters (1988/1989)
- The event was also called the Hong Kong Masters (1983/1984–1988/1989)
Career finals
Ranking finals: 6 (2 titles, 4 runner-ups)
Legend |
World Championship (1–1) |
Other (1–3) |
Outcome | No. | Year | Championship | Opponent in the final | Score | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Runner-up | 1. | 1979 | World Championship | 16–24 | [61] | |
Winner | 1. | 1984 | Grand Prix | 10–2 | [61] | |
Winner | 2. | 1985 | World Championship | 18–17 | [61] | |
Runner-up | 2. | 1985 | Grand Prix | 9–10 | [61] | |
Runner-up | 3. | 1987 | Grand Prix (2) | 7–10 | [61] | |
Runner-up | 4. | 1990 | Asian Open | 3–9 | [61] |
Non-ranking finals: 36 (17 titles, 19 runner-ups)
Legend |
The Masters (1–0) |
Other (16–19) |
Pro-am finals: 1 (1 title)
Outcome | No. | Year | Championship | Opponent in the final | Score | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Winner | 1. | 1980 | Pontins Camber Sands Open | 7–5 | [70] |
Team finals: 5 (3 titles, 2 runner-ups)
Outcome | No. | Year | Championship | Team/partner | Opponent(s) in the final | Score | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Winner | 1. | 1985 | World Cup | Ireland | 9–7 | [71] | |
Winner | 2. | 1986 | World Cup (2) | Ireland | 9–7 | [71] | |
Winner | 3. | 1987 | World Cup (3) | Ireland | 9–2 | [71] | |
Runner-up | 1. | 1987 | World Doubles Championship | 8–12 | [72] | ||
Runner-up | 2. | 1990 | World Cup | 5–9 | [73] |
Other wins
- World Trickshot Championship – 1997, 1998, 1999[5]
Bibliography
- Taylor, Dennis (24 October 1985). Frame by Frame: My Own Story. Queen Anne Press. ISBN 0356121798.
- Taylor, Dennis (25 September 1986). Natural Break. ISBN 978-0356125664.
- Taylor, Dennis (11 October 1990). Play snooker with Dennis Taylor. BBC Books. ISBN 0563360372.
References
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- "Dennis Taylor: 'I had £200 in the bank when I became a snooker player'". The Telegraph. 12 February 2017. Archived from the original on 3 December 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
- Williams, Luke; Gadsby, Paul (2005). Masters of the Baize. Edinburgh: Mainstream. p. 127. ISBN 1840188723.
- "Dennis Taylor: 'I had £200 in the bank when I became a snooker player'". The Telegraph. 12 February 2017. Archived from the original on 3 December 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- "Past Masters: Dennis Taylor". Global Snooker Centre. Archived from the original on 22 February 2008.
- "Embassy World Championship". Snooker Scene. Archived from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
- "Embassy World Championship". Snooker Scene. Archived from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
- "Official player profile of Dennis Taylor". worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. "Other Players" section. Retrieved 30 March 2011.
- "Ranking History". Snooker.org. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
- Hayton, Eric (2004). The CueSport Book of Professional Snooker. Lowestoft: Rose Villa Publications. pp. 119–123. ISBN 0-9548549-0-X.
- Friskin, Sydney (7 May 1984). "Davis undermines White's confidence". The Times. p. 16 – via The Times Digital Archive. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
- Beacon, Stephen (7 February 2017). "I've not done bad from a wee lad from Coalisland". The Belfast Telegraph.
- Keating, Frank (30 April 1985). "Cloth of gold – Dennis Taylor wins World Snooker Championship". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 31 May 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
- "Grand Prix". Snooker Scene. Archived from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
- Everton, Clive (16 April 1985). "Francisco now the fallen star". The Guardian. p. 26.
- Everton, Clive (23 April 1985). "Parrott fashions overnight lead". The Guardian. p. 26.
- Hale, Janice (20 June 1985). "Crucible Diary". Snooker Scene. pp. 15–16.
- Crucible Diary. Snooker Scene. 20 June 1985. p. 19.
- Davis, Steve (9 April 2015). Interesting: My Autobiography. ISBN 9781473502482.
- "The greatest Crucible final". Archived from the original on 1 December 2013.
- Hannon, Shane. "The Dennis Taylor Interview: That '85 black ball final, the impact of his mother's death, and snooker's heyday". Off The Ball. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
- "Great Sporting Moments: Dennis Taylor defeats Steve Davis 18–17 at the Crucible". The Independent. 12 July 2009. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- "Taylor snatches the 'black-ball final'". Archived from the original on 2 April 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- "BBC SPORT | Other Sport | Snooker | 1985: The black ball final". BBC. 18 April 2003. Archived from the original on 20 August 2011. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
- Hafez, Shamoon (30 April 2015). "1985 Snooker Rewind". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
- "World Championship: 1985 black-ball final voted most memorable Crucible moment". BBC. 1 May 2017. Archived from the original on 29 June 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- "Great Sporting Moments: Dennis Taylor defeats Steve Davis 18–17 at the". 12 July 2009.
- "Dennis Taylor beat Steve Davis in the World Championship, against all odds". The Telegraph. 28 April 2016. Archived from the original on 1 May 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- "1985:the black ball final". BBC. 18 April 2003. Archived from the original on 30 April 2003. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- "World Champion Dennis Taylor Returns to Coalisland 1985". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. Archived from the original on 8 May 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- "Snooker ace's triumph". The Times. 7 May 1985. p. 1. Retrieved 6 September 2019 – via The Times Digital Archive.
- Dee, By John. "Snooker: Ebdon quick to sit on fence". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 November 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
- Everton, Clive (20 April 1986). "Snooker: Torture for a jaded Taylor". Sunday Times, The (London, England). Retrieved 8 May 2020.
- "The Masters". Snooker Scene. Archived from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
- "Allen targets world title challenge". BBC Sport. BBC. 22 January 2018. Archived from the original on 10 April 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
- "Dennis Taylor". World Snooker. Archived from the original on 21 February 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
- "Dennis Taylor player profile" (PDF). snookerlegends.co.uk. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 May 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
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External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dennis Taylor. |
- Dennis Taylor at WorldSnooker.com