Who was the biggest money maker in Snooker during the 1980's?
Cliff Thorburn This is a trick question, I would wager most fans of snooker would get it wrong. Most people would say multi-world champion Steve Davis , but they are wrong. The question is misleading, you don't have to win to be a top-earner as Cliff Thorburn proved. Davis was known for his inability to come from behind, so he could run hot and cold depending on the opponent. Thorburn was the opposite, if he got behind, he would fight to the last frame which is why he was never out of the quarter-finals of any tournament he entered. There was one tournament Cliff should have won, but for an innocent comment made by another player. Davis had won his semi in less than 12 frames, as usual, whereas Thorburn had gone through a terrible 37 frame marathon with Terry Griffiths ; on his way back to the dressing room, another player said he was sorry to hear that Cliff's wife had lost their baby. Imagine hearing that, after a marathon 37 frame game, and knowing your opponent in the fi...