Big, Bad Bill
One of the most recognisable faces of snooker whether you follow the sport or don’t is that of Bill Werbeniuk. Bill, best known for being a beer swiller and chain smoker, was part of the Canadian clan who came to Britain to seek their snooker fortune. Born in Winnipeg in 1947, William grew up in the harsh Canadian country that didn’t take fools lightly. He learnt his craft in pool halls, including his father’s pool hall, Pop’s Billiards, hustling people for a few dollars and the odd drink to make his way.Through the smoke filled rooms, he became friends with Cliff Thorburn, Jim Wynch and a young unknown hustler, Kirk Stevens. They lived together
and made a decision to bring their skills to the UK.
Werbeniuk, I believe was a very underrated player. having an attacking game. His highest ranking was number 8 and he achieved several quarter round stage matches in the Canadian Open and World Championship. His best fear was getting to the final of the Lada Classic in 1983, beaten by Steve Davis, 5-9 and in the same year, the Winifred Masters in Australia where Thorburn won, 3-7.
Big Bill was known for his drinking antics. He claimed he had to drink to steady his nerves before he played. Consuming six pints before a match and a pint during each frame, Werbeniuk could drink between 40 to 50 pints a day. Ironically his doctor advised that he did drink alcohol to counteract a familial benign essential tremor. He even successfully claimed a tax rebate on his drinking in the UK, saying that he needed six pints to play.
No one could keep up with Bill, Eddie Sinclair played him and managed 42 pints before passing out, Werbeniuk finished his 43rd and then walked out, saying “I am away to the bar for a proper drink”. Bill also split his trousers during the World Team Tournament event against Dennis Taylor. Having difficulty learning over the table due to his girth, a rip occurred which sounded like another kind of rip, the audience where in hysterics and his retort was, “who did that?”.
However Bill made it big in snooker and after a positive drugs test for the substance propranolol, Werbeniuk’s career was effectively over. He died penniless after being declared bankrupt and saw out his remaining days in disability benefits in Canada. Bill passed away in 2003 but will always be remembered for his love of the game, drinking, leaning over the partition when Thorburn got his maximum at the Crucible in 1983 and the 143 break when he fouled on the first red.
https://youtu.be/dl_x4CXmO18
Werbeniuk, I believe was a very underrated player. having an attacking game. His highest ranking was number 8 and he achieved several quarter round stage matches in the Canadian Open and World Championship. His best fear was getting to the final of the Lada Classic in 1983, beaten by Steve Davis, 5-9 and in the same year, the Winifred Masters in Australia where Thorburn won, 3-7.
Big Bill was known for his drinking antics. He claimed he had to drink to steady his nerves before he played. Consuming six pints before a match and a pint during each frame, Werbeniuk could drink between 40 to 50 pints a day. Ironically his doctor advised that he did drink alcohol to counteract a familial benign essential tremor. He even successfully claimed a tax rebate on his drinking in the UK, saying that he needed six pints to play.
No one could keep up with Bill, Eddie Sinclair played him and managed 42 pints before passing out, Werbeniuk finished his 43rd and then walked out, saying “I am away to the bar for a proper drink”. Bill also split his trousers during the World Team Tournament event against Dennis Taylor. Having difficulty learning over the table due to his girth, a rip occurred which sounded like another kind of rip, the audience where in hysterics and his retort was, “who did that?”.
However Bill made it big in snooker and after a positive drugs test for the substance propranolol, Werbeniuk’s career was effectively over. He died penniless after being declared bankrupt and saw out his remaining days in disability benefits in Canada. Bill passed away in 2003 but will always be remembered for his love of the game, drinking, leaning over the partition when Thorburn got his maximum at the Crucible in 1983 and the 143 break when he fouled on the first red.
https://youtu.be/dl_x4CXmO18
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