Joe Davis

Joe Davis is considered the grandfather of snooker. One of the all time great players who won the World Championship a record 15 times, he was a hugely influential figure in the development and survival of snooker in the years before it became a major televised sport.

Born in Whitwell, Derbyshire, in 1901, he was initially a billiards player and won a host of national and international titles at the sport.

Turning his attention to snooker in the 1920s, he helped organise the first World Championship in 1927 and bought the trophy which is so well recognised today. He beat Tom Dennis 20-10 in the final, winning the princely sum of six pounds and 10 shillings. Davis went on to win the World title every year until 1940, and then again in 1946. He then retired from the event, so never lost a match in the World Championship.

Davis continued to play in tournaments and exhibitions, and in 1955 he made the first recognised 147 break.

He was made an OBE in 1963 and died in 1978.