John Virgo, the former world No. 10 snooker player, recently reflected on his victory at the 1979 UK Championship, describing the experience as both “the best and worst day” of his life. In a dramatic final against reigning world champion Terry Griffiths, Virgo not only triumphed but also faced significant challenges leading up to his win.
The final took place at the Preston Guild Hall, where Griffiths was expected to dominate. Virgo found himself in a precarious situation when he was informed of an unexpected change to the match schedule. The start time for the final session had been moved up to 13:00 to accommodate live coverage on BBC Grandstand. This last-minute alteration left Virgo scrambling to make it to the venue.
“I was in my hotel room and all of a sudden I get a phone call saying, ‘Where are you?’ because it was now ten to one,” Virgo recounted. “I said I wasn’t due, but because it was live on Grandstand they’d moved the start time.” The ensuing panic saw Virgo hastily dressing and racing to the Guild Hall.
Despite the chaos, he managed to arrive just 20 minutes late. However, the new rules meant he was deducted two frames, starting the match at 11-9 instead of 11-7. Virgo’s late arrival could have had even more severe consequences, as a delay of just ten additional minutes would have resulted in a frame forfeit, a rule he now reflects on with a mix of disbelief and gratitude.
Ultimately, Virgo secured his victory over Griffiths with a score of 14-13, marking a significant milestone in his career. This win was one of the last UK Championship titles awarded before the event was officially recognized as a ranking competition. Following this achievement, Virgo continued to enjoy success, claiming titles at the Bombay Classic and Pontins Professional in the months that followed.
Despite the triumph, Virgo’s victory was marred by an unfortunate twist: the match was not captured on film due to a strike by BBC cameramen. “I looked at the cameras but they were unmanned,” he noted, expressing his frustration at the lack of footage from such a pivotal moment in his career.
Reflecting on his unique experience, Virgo stated, “It was the worst and best day of my life, I put it in that order. It was a rollercoaster.” As snooker continues to evolve, players today are unlikely to encounter the same pitfalls that Virgo faced during his championship run. His story serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of sports and the personal journeys behind each victory.
