100 All Time Greats

Updated. Purely a matter of opinion, of course. Allowance is given to the natural progession in playing standard. For instance, Tom Dennis seldom made a 30 break but he nonetheless contested four World Championship finals. There are also a number of distinguished amateur players included (primarily from the 50's and 60's) who didn't enjoy much success as professionals but that is owing to there being virtually no active professional game from the late 50's until the start of the modern era (1969). The English Amateur Championship for that reason was arguably the most difficult event one could win during that period.

1. Ronnie O’Sullivan OBE
2. Stephen Hendry MBE
3. Steve Davis OBE
4. John Higgins MBE
5. Joe Davis OBE
6. Ray Reardon MBE
7. Mark Selby
8. Mark Williams MBE
9. Neil Robertson
10. Judd Trump
11. Alex Higgins
12. Jimmy White MBE
13. Fred Davis OBE
14. John Spencer
15. John Pulman
16. John Parrott MBE
17. Ding Junhui
18. Peter Ebdon
19. Cliff Thorburn CM
20. Terry Griffiths OBE
21. Horace Lindrum
22. Shaun Murphy
23. Ken Doherty
24. Walter Donaldson
25. Stuart Bingham
26. Dennis Taylor
27. Matthew Stevens
28. Paul Hunter
29. Graeme Dott
30. Doug Mountjoy
31. Joe Johnson
32. Ali Carter
33. Eddie Charlton AM
34. Mark Allen
35. Stephen Maguire
36. Alan McManus
37. James Wattana
38. Tony Knowles
39. Gary Owen MBE
40. Neal Foulds
41. Barry Hawkins
42. Kyren Wilson
43. Sidney Smith
44. Stephen Lee
45. Marco Fu
46. Nigel Bond
47. Yan Bingtao
48. Willie Thorne
49. Perrie Mans
50. Zhao Xintong
51. John Virgo
52. Patsy Fagan
53. Pat Houlihan
54. Kirk Stevens
55. Mike Hallett
56. Fergal O’Brien
57. Steve James
58. Joe Swail
59. Rex Williams BEM
60. Anthony Hamilton
61. Albert Brown
62. Joe Perry
63. Cliff Wilson
64. Warren Simpson
65. Graham Miles
66. Ricky Walden
67. Gary Wilkinson
68. Tony Meo
69. Jackie Rea
70. Silvino Francisco
71. Alec Brown
72. Jonathan Barron
73. Ron Gross
74. Marcus Owen
75. Ray Edmonds
76. David Gilbert
77. Ryan Day
78. Darren Morgan
79. Liang Wenbo
80. David Taylor
81. Martin Gould
82. George Chenier
83. Bill Werbeniuk
84. Tony Drago
85. Chris Small
86. Alain Robidoux
87. Anthony McGill
88. John Dunning
89. John Barrie
90. Mark King
91. Clark McConachy MBE
92. Dominic Dale
93. David Gray
94. Luca Brecel
95. Jack Lisowski
96. Dean Reynolds
97. Murt O’Donoghue
98. Ian McCulloch
99. Willie Smith
100. Tom Dennis

Very good list, the only changes in the top 10 I'd make would be Steve Davis ahead of John Higgins and Selby ahead of Mark Williams.

Juddernaut88 wrote:Very good list, the only changes in the top 10 I'd make would be Steve Davis ahead of John Higgins and Selby ahead of Mark Williams.

You know, the more I think about it, the more I'm happy to go with that. Amended.

Kirk above Bill shocker!

I never like to include Joe Davis in lists like these of my own because I've never seen him play and don't think it's fair to judge.

That said, ROS down to Williams is how I would have it (taking out Joe). As much as it pains me, I think the fourth World title just edges Selby ahead of Williams, even if I feel Williams had the tougher era(s) and far surpasses Selby when it comes to longevity.

I think it would be wrong NOT to include Joe Davis. If you did then obviously you would have to exclude all the other pre-1969 players and then it isn't an "All Time" list. I've seen pretty much all the footage that exists of Joe, read his books and researched through hundreds of magazines and newspaper reports. Having done so, you cant fail to hold him the upmost regard. Bearing in mind he pretty much invented the game all on his own.

Looking at the score sheet from his 15th and final World Championship gives some indication of the level of his play...

1946 WORLD PROFESSIONAL SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIP
FINAL
6th – 11th, 13th – 18th May
Royal Horticultural Hall, Vincent Square, Westminster, LONDON SW1

JOE DAVIS (England) 78-67 HORACE LINDRUM (Australia)

Frame Scores : -
Session 1 55-54; 28-92; 98(51)-29; 94-60; 82-34; 54-62. Davis 4-2
Session 2 33-73; 82(59)-34; 71-17; 50-59; 61-59; 55-72. Davis 7-5
Session 3 60-71; 0-125(59); 42-78(66); 79-29; 62-36; 125(61)-11. Davis 10-8
Session 4 83-27; 91-31; 70-71; 89-19; 62-47; 37-94(56). Davis 14-10
Session 5 59-31; 56-61; 114(104)-15; 41-77; 57-66; 52-55. Davis 16-14
Session 6 48-80(53); 86(52)-15; 65-39; 44-92; 61(61)-62; 66-33. Davis 19-17
Session 7 80-27; 69-40; 37-70; 88(50)-49; 108(56)-25; 58-69. Davis 23-19
Session 8 134(133)-4; 108(74)-25; 35-92; 53-72; 76-31; 38-71. Davis 26-22
Session 9 51-77; 72-35; 22-110; 105(58)-25; 50-78; 23-89. Davis 28-26
Session 10 114(63)-0; 104-36; 96(62)-33; 103-26; 25-73; 52-74. Davis 32-28
Session 11 85(55)-27; 28-82; 37-80; 35-69; 17-97; 136(136)-0. Davis 34-32
Session 12 98(84)-26; 57-56; 117(107)-13; 61-50; 94(94)-25; 8-86. Davis 39-33
Session 13 103-8; 61-47; 47-72; 68-51; 53-63; 21-103. Davis 42-36
Session 14 44-86(54); 103-15; 53-65; 34-79; 77-55; 96-30. Davis 45-39
Session 15 96(61)-23; 13-103; 108(75)-26; 79(55)-45; 26-65; 43-89. Davis 48-42
Session 16 63-44; 103-48; 36-83(50); 59(59)-69; 103(83)-24; 40-87. Davis 51-45
Session 17 69-50; 48-55; 98(83)-36; 22-111; 82-47; 80(76)-44. Davis 55-47
Session 18 87(87)-45; 64-38; 28-93; 54-72; 44-73; 51-64. Davis 57-51
Session 19 79-33; 75-21; 47-56; 82-37; 82(76)-58; 70(52)-50. Davis 62-52
Session 20 27-67; 75-45; 10-106(53); 89(77)-25; 91-25; 43-82. Davis 65-55
Session 21 55(53)-84; 80-24; 99(67)-31; 35-73; 79(66)-52; 20-93(60). Davis 68-58
Session 22 67-49; 80-53; 6-93; 122(122)-0; 42-87(58); 28-97. Davis 71-61
Session 23 86-54; 28-105; *91-27; 20-77; 44-67; 72(58)-59. Davis 74-64
Session 24 145(116)-0; 99-15; 85-29; 47-55; 96(83)-23; 26-109(86); 48-54. Davis 78-67

*Davis reached a 73-62 winning lead in the 135th frame.

I think that the only players that can seriously be considered the GOAT as they revolutionised the game are Davis, Hendry and O'Sullivan. Again Joe Davis was before a time when i can make a judgement.

Higgins was/is a great but i dont think he can be considered revolutionary.

No Johnny Bravo?

This list is void.

SnookerFan wrote:No Johnny Bravo?

This list is void.

He'll have a meltdown when he see's this list as he doesn't rate Hendry or Davis.

Juddernaut88 wrote:

SnookerFan wrote:No Johnny Bravo?

This list is void.

He'll have a meltdown when he see's this list as he doesn't rate Hendry or Davis.

I don't rate them top 3 in terms of H2H ability, but I do rate them in terms of greatness.

Excellent list, and I find myself in agreement with most of it
I'll bow to your superior knowledge of the pre-ranking event players of course.

If I was being picky, I'd say you might be being a bit harsh on the 80s contenders, White, Thorburn, Taylor and Thorne.

Dave Harold is the highest player on the all-time ranking list who doesn't appear in this list of greats, despite him having won a ranking event. What's your rationale for keeping him out of the 100? I know he was awful to watch, but surely his results merit recognition?

Just another thought as well. How close is Brecel to breaking in?

I think Brecel should be if I’m honest. I will endeavour to make room for him. Dave was in I’m sure but he dropped off with the introduction of Xintong. There are one or 2 other ranking winners, such as Tony Jones, Michael White and Bob Chaperon who don’t feature. I suppose, I never really thought Dave was that good, or at any rate, not in an all time great conversation. Similarly, with Thorburn and Dennis Taylor - their career records are distinguished but when it comes down to a one-on-one comparison I couldn’t put them ahead of say, Ding (an absolute powerhouse even without a world title) or Parrott, who held the No.2 ranking position despite such fierce opposition as Hendry, Davis and White. Willie does well to be as high as he is given his flimsy record. Just the one ranking event title and 2 x quarters his best showings at the Crucible. Maybe Foulds is slightly too high on my list?

Luca should be ahead of Lisowski surely? And especially Gary Wilson?

It’s weird seeing Zhao so high suddenly, even though you can’t argue any of the names below him, really.

I agree. Luca was overlooked but with his recent Scottish triumph and run to the UK final he has to be in. Gary Wilson and Ian McCulloch both featured primarily for their Crucible semi-final exploits.

The Belgian Bullet now introduced at the expense of Gary Wilson. I have positioned him between David Gray and Jack Lisowski.

Iranu wrote:Luca should be ahead of Lisowski surely? And especially Gary Wilson?

It’s weird seeing Zhao so high suddenly, even though you can’t argue any of the names below him, really.

I dunno, Virgo should probably be higher than Zhao, if only just.

It is a very extensive list, and everyone will have their own suggestions. The one that I would question is Murphy a number of places below Ding.

Murphy has a far superior World Championship record, including winning it and a number of runner up positions. For that reason I'd place Murphy above Ding.

Dragonfly wrote:It is a very extensive list, and everyone will have their own suggestions. The one that I would question is Murphy a number of places below Ding.

Murphy has a far superior World Championship record, including winning it and a number of runner up positions. For that reason I'd place Murphy above Ding.

On the basis Ding has 14 ranking titles to Murphy's 9 and is also a former world number one. Fair enough Murphy has a world title and much superior Crucible record. I am also taking into account Ding's global contribution to the sport. Murphy does have a reasonable record but he's such a old windbag. Couldn't bare to see him assume too lofty a position.

I'd probably put Selby and Williams above Joe Davis and Reardon. Selby 5 , Williams 6. They are modern day greats which is a big feat imo without disrespecting the two old legends.

Selby has also won as many Worlds and TC events as Higgins and will probably even surpass him in the future.

badtemperedcyril wrote:

Dragonfly wrote:It is a very extensive list, and everyone will have their own suggestions. The one that I would question is Murphy a number of places below Ding.

Murphy has a far superior World Championship record, including winning it and a number of runner up positions. For that reason I'd place Murphy above Ding.

On the basis Ding has 14 ranking titles to Murphy's 9 and is also a former world number one. Fair enough Murphy has a world title and much superior Crucible record. I am also taking into account Ding's global contribution to the sport. Murphy does have a reasonable record but he's such a old windbag. Couldn't bare to see him assume too lofty a position. [/quote

Ha ha, ok I won't argue with that.

Dan-cat wrote:Love this list. A labour of love. I reckon I could have taken Tom Dennis. Unless he was some kind of safety whiz where I would find myself snookered every ball. Come to think of it, that’s probably exactly how he would have played, coming from billiards no doubt.

The strategy in those early championships was to keep the pack of reds tightly grouped together at all costs. Only when a solitary red broke free would an attempt be made at a pot. Sometimes a red would be followed by a colour but then it was back to defence and another safety duel. Players would build up their points tally as much through “foul” penalties as they would from break building. The reds were considered small fry and the real business of a frame didn’t start until they were removed from the table and the battle of the colours could commence! Snookering was the name of the game, literally and most frames took an hour to complete - hence why in the early years a session comprised of only 4 frames.

Thankfully, Joe Davis devised “positional play” and the art of constructing breaks!

Ok, good post; all about opinions - a few changes on mine, but think yours broadly in line with where I would be. Not just purely based on standard, but there achievements, what they brought to the game globally etc.

Joe Davis got to be in top 5 I think, so my top 5 remain the same. ROS longevity brings him above Hendry, but his play in late 80/90s really brought the game to where it is today.
Changes in top 10, would have Reardon a bit lower, and I think A. Higgins for the style of play, some memorably victories, the love he brought to the sport gets a bit higher. Reardon obviously achieved a lot more, but what Higgins brought was unique before or since. Pulman I'd have a bit lower with most of his wins being challenge matches and unlike Fred Davis he didn't have the longevity as much (bar one final) after it opened up in 69.

1. Ronnie O’Sullivan OBE
2. Stephen Hendry MBE
3. Steve Davis OBE
4. John Higgins MBE
5. Joe Davis OBE
6. Mark Selby
7. Mark Williams MBE
8. Alex Higgins
9. Ray Reardon
10. Neil Robertson
11. Judd Trump
12. Jimmy White MBE
13. Fred Davis OBE
14. John Spencer
15. Ding Junhui
16. John Parrott MBE
17. Cliff Thorburn CM
18. Peter Ebdon
19. Terry Griffiths OBE
20. Shaun Murphy
21. Ken Doherty
22. Dennis Taylor
23. John Pulman
24. Stuart Bingham
25. Paul Hunter
26. Walter Donaldson
27. Eddie Charlton AM
28. Graeme Dott
29. Matthew Stevens
30. Doug Mountjoy
31. Mark Allen
32. Stephen Maguire
33. James Wattana
34. Joe Johnson
35. Alan McManus
36. Barry Hawkins
37. Kyren Wilson
38. Tony Knowles
39. Stephen Lee
40. Neal Foulds
41. Marco Fu
42. Zhao Xintong
43. Ricky Walden
44. Yan Bingtao
45. Horace Lindrum
46. Willie Thorne
47. John Virgo
48. Mike Hallett
49. Patsy Fagan
50. Kirk Stevens
51. Gary Owen
52. Kirk Stevens
53. Rex Williams BEM
54. Ryan Day
55. Silvino Francisco
56. Perrie Mans
57. Joe Perry
58. Joe Swail
59. Cliff Wilson
60. Anthony Hamilton
61. Steve James
62. Graham Miles
63. Anthony McGill
64. Luca Brecel
65. Tony Meo
66. Fergal O'Brien
67. Tony Drago
68. Gary Wilkinson
69. Steve James
70. David Gilbert
71. Darren Morgan
72. Liang Wenbo
73. Martin Gould
74. Bill Werbeniuk
75. Ray Edmonds
76. Marcus Owen
77. Patsy Houlihan
78. David Taylor
79. Thepchaiya un-Nooh
80. Chris Small
81. Willie Smith
82. Mark King
83. Ron Gross
84. Marcus Owen
85. Alain Robidoux
86. John Dunning
87. John Barrie
88. Jackie Rea
89. Clark McConachy
90. Jack Lisowski
91. Robert Milkins
92. Warren Simpson
93. Hossein Vafaei
94. Michael Holt
95. Dean Reynolds
96. Jimmy Robertson
97. Jim Wych
98. Martin Clark
99. Dave Harold
100. Jordan Brown

Luca must have made a pretty monumental jump up this list now.

Iranu wrote:Luca must have made a pretty monumental jump up this list now.

I think he's definitely gone above David Gray.

SnookerFan wrote:I think he's definitely gone above David Gray.

He's climbed that White Ladder

Luca with top 30 all time with this win, perhaps even top 20.

I would put Luca somewhere around 27/28/29 now.