Tributes are flooding in for snooker legend Doug Mountjoy who has passed away at 78-years-old.
The Welshman won the Masters and UK Championship (twice) over a superb career as a professional from 1976-97.
Mountjoy also won a string of other events, including the 1989 Classic, while he reached the World Championship final in 1981, beaten by Steve Davis at the Crucible.
A much-loved and hugely-respected figure in snooker, who was in his pomp in the late 1970s and into the ’80s when snooker really boomed.
His 1988 UK Championship triumph, 10 years after his first, made him the oldest winner of the event at 46-years-old, a record he still holds to this day.
It was a remarkable victory over an up-and-coming Stephen Hendry, with Mountjoy downing the young Scot 16-12 after ousting the likes of Terry Griffiths, Joe Johnson and John Virgo en route to the final.
He would go into snooker coaching after the end of his professional playing days in 1997 after suffering with lung cancer, but continued to play regularly into his 70s and compete in local leagues.
Unsurprisingly, messages of condolence have been numerous after the news broke, with the snooker world saddened by the loss.
Jimmy White wrote on Twitter: ‘Sorry to hear about the loss of a great legend of the sport. RIP Doug Mountjoy.’
Neil Robertson noted that the news was especially poignant on night before the Welsh Open begins at Celtic Manor, writing: ‘Very sad on the eve of the Welsh Open. Hope there is a nice tribute this week.’
Former world champion Shaun Murphy added: ‘Sad to hear the passing of Doug Mountjoy. One of snooker’s most memorable faces from snooker’s golden age.’
1997 world champ Ken Doherty wrote: ‘Very sorry to hear the passing of Doug Mountjoy today, he was a great player and character. My condolences to his family and friends.’
Fellow Welsh snooker legend Mark Williams posted an iconic picture of Doug in his pomp.
Winner of the first UK Championship, Patsy Fagan, who battled it out with Mountjoy at the top of the game in the late ’70s, added: ‘RIP my dear friend Doug.’
Neal Foulds, who was another beaten foe on Mountjoy’s run to the UK Championship title recounted a memorable tale, writing: ‘First time I saw Doug Mountjoy play. Inaugural Pontins Pro-Am 1974. Won it as an amateur. Sleeves rolled up all week, beat John Spencer in the final.
‘Battery flat on his car, pushed it out of the car park the next day, winners cheque in pocket. RIP to a proper snooker man.’
Chairman of the WPBSA, Jason Ferguson, wrote: ‘Very sorry to hear the sad news that Doug Mountjoy has passed away today, a real class act who will be sadly missed.
‘Our thoughts are with his family and close friends. RIP Doug and thank you for the massive contribution you made.’
World Snooker Tour chairman Barry Hearn added: ‘RIP Doug Mountjoy. A gentleman and a really nice guy. I remember playing him at the Eccentric Club in St James Just after he won the world amateur champion in 1977. He never missed a ball in over an hour and got invited into the masters when Eddie Charlton pulled out.’
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