Canadian Class

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One of the greatest players to ever grace the green baize is the Canadian Kirk Stevens. At the time of his success Kirk was one of three Canadian players on the tour, the others being Cliff Thorburn and Bill Werbeniuk. Stevens first started playing snooker at an early age and achieved his first century break at the age of 12. He turned professional at the age of 20 and reached the sem-final of the World Championship, aged just 21.

Stevens is most famously known for his 147 televised break against Jimmy White in 1984 where due to having little money at the time, asked a tailor to make him a suit, the cheapest option being in white. Thanks to the tailor, this suit became Kirk’s trademark.

Kirk Stevens is an exciting player because he has always been attacking in his shot choices. Like Alex Higgins, Jimmy White, Tony Drago, Stevens is never phased by the difficult attempted pot of shot and produces magical snooker when in form.

Sadly Kirk got involved with the world of drugs and drink, disappearing from the tour for many years despite several near attempts to qualify. His only success in the UK was reaching the final of the 1985 British Open where he lost 9-12 to Silvino Francisco. Kirk then turned his back on snooker for many year, concentrating instead on his family and rehabilitation. Stevens returned recently to the Crucible to play in a Legends event and showed some of his old magic on the Baize.

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